Updated: June 2026
Anna Maria Island is best known for white-sand beaches, fresh seafood, and sunset dining, but tucked between the beach bars and coastal kitchens is a small but satisfying BBQ scene worth seeking out. From smoky ribs and slow-cooked pulled pork to creative tropical-style barbecue, these spots bring bold, comforting flavors to the island in their own way. You will not find endless smokehouses here, but you will find a handful of local favorites serving up hearty, sauce-glazed, and island-inspired BBQ perfect after a day in the sun.
Whether you are looking for classic Southern-style barbecue or something with a Gulf Coast twist, here are the best BBQ restaurants on Anna Maria Island and just beyond. For everything else worth eating on the island, my Dining on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide is your complete resource.
BBQ Spots on Anna Maria Island
While Anna Maria Island has a limited number of true BBQ-focused restaurants, the ones that are here deliver. Whether you are after smoked brisket, pulled pork, or something with a tropical spin, these are the go-to spots for BBQ on the island.
gRub Tropical BBQ
- 415 Pine Avenue · Anna Maria
- 941-900-2874
- Monday – Saturday · 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM
- Happy Hour · Monday – Saturday · 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
gRub Tropical BBQ brings a modern, island-inspired approach to barbecue, blending traditional smoked meats with bold, tropical flavors. This fast-casual spot is known for its creative take on comfort food, offering dishes like brisket, mojo pork, and honey-glazed ribs alongside more inventive items such as the Willow Wrap, a sweet chili BBQ pork sandwich topped with slaw. Even the sides lean outside the box, with coconut cream corn and banana bread adding a unique twist to a typical BBQ lineup. The atmosphere is relaxed and open-air, with garage-style doors that bring in the island breeze and create an easygoing dining experience.
Located on Pine Avenue, it is a great stop if you are looking for BBQ that feels familiar but still a little unexpected. If you are into exploring more saucy island favorites, my Best Chicken Wings on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide covers some of the island’s best wing joints too.
Smoqehouse
- 1701 Gulf Drive North · Bradenton Beach
- 941-242-5340
- Monday – Saturday · 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Just off the southern end of Anna Maria Island, SmoqeHouse offers a modern, chef-driven take on barbecue, blending classic smokehouse techniques with bold, globally inspired flavors. While it leans fast-casual in format, the menu goes well beyond the basics, with standout items like brisket burgers, Korean-style beef with ginger-lime slaw, and loaded poutine fries that push traditional BBQ in a more creative direction. Nearly everything is made in-house, from the smoked meats to the sides, giving the food a fresh, from-scratch feel that sets it apart from typical quick-service spots. A great option if you are in the mood for barbecue that breaks away from the standard ribs-and-pulled-pork lineup.
More Spots for BBQ Cravings
While not dedicated BBQ restaurants, these spots deserve a mention for their standout barbecue-inspired dishes. If you are looking to mix a little smoky flavor into your island dining plans, they are worth adding to your list.
The Feast
- 5406 Marina Drive · Holmes Beach
- Daily · 4:00 to 9:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Daily · 4:00 to 5:00 PM
The Feast is not a traditional BBQ spot, but their ribs are a reliable go-to when you are craving something hearty and comforting. Slow-cooked until tender and finished with a sweet-and-tangy glaze, they lean more toward classic comfort food than smokehouse-style barbecue, but they deliver on flavor and portion every time.
Hurricane Hanks
- 5346 Gulf Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-778-5788
- Food · Sunday – Thursday 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Food · Friday & Saturday 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Bar · Daily · 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
A longtime island favorite, Hurricane Hanks is more of a lively bar-and-grill than a BBQ joint, but their ribs earn a spot in the conversation. Coated in a signature sweet-and-tangy sauce and cooked until tender, they are a solid pick if you want BBQ flavor in a relaxed, social setting. For more on the island’s casual dining scene, my Best Burgers on Anna Maria Island: My Insider Guide covers another category Hurricane Hanks shows up in.
Coastal Close
BBQ might not be the first thing that comes to mind on Anna Maria Island, but once you find it, it is hard to skip. From the creative, flavor-packed approach at gRub Tropical BBQ to the chef-driven smokehouse energy at SmoqeHouse, there is just enough variety to satisfy a smoky craving between beach days. Something hearty, a little messy, and best enjoyed after a long day in the sun. My downloadable Anna Maria Island Restaurant Guide on Etsy covers everything else worth eating on the island.
— izzy