Great open and well lighted dining area.
1 / 10

Noble Smoke

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A spacious, industrial-chic BBQ haven serving legendary hickory-smoked meats and comforting Southern sides, inspired by pitmaster traditions.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Great open and well lighted dining area.

Noble Smoke

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A spacious, industrial-chic BBQ haven serving legendary hickory-smoked meats and comforting Southern sides, inspired by pitmaster traditions.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"This place is truly a dream come true for BBQ lovers, offering a taste of the South with every bite."

TIP

Visit during off-peak hours

To avoid crowds, consider visiting during non-peak times or making reservations.

Ask staff for recommendations

Try unique menu items recommended by staff for an unforgettable culinary adventure.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Friday 11AM

Cuisine

Barbecue

Price

$$$

Phone

(704) 703-5252

Address

2216 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Legendary Brisket & Ribs

Legendary Brisket & Ribs

Indulge in exceptionally tender brisket, praised as rivaling Texas's best, and succulent ribs smoked to perfection over hickory coals.

Diverse Southern Sides

Diverse Southern Sides

Savor a delightful array of Southern comfort dishes, from creamy macaroni & cheese to crisp collard greens and perfectly fried hush puppies.

Industrial-Chic Ambiance

Industrial-Chic Ambiance

Enjoy a spacious, modern setting with an industrial vibe, complete with attentive service and a lively atmosphere, sometimes featuring live music.

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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Visit during off-peak hours

To avoid crowds, consider visiting during non-peak times or making reservations.

Ask staff for recommendations

Try unique menu items recommended by staff for an unforgettable culinary adventure.

Explore the Optimist Hall stall

Check out Noble Smoke's food stall at nearby Optimist Hall for a taste of their BBQ.

Sides are a must-try

Don't miss out on the highly praised sides like mac & cheese and brussels sprouts.

Tips

from all over the internet

Visit during off-peak hours

To avoid crowds, consider visiting during non-peak times or making reservations.

Ask staff for recommendations

Try unique menu items recommended by staff for an unforgettable culinary adventure.

Explore the Optimist Hall stall

Check out Noble Smoke's food stall at nearby Optimist Hall for a taste of their BBQ.

Sides are a must-try

Don't miss out on the highly praised sides like mac & cheese and brussels sprouts.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Diners rave about Noble Smoke's exceptional brisket and a wide array of delicious Southern sides. The industrial-chic atmosphere and attentive service, including standout bartenders, create a memorable dining experience. While generally loved, some find the a la carte pricing a bit steep for the portion sizes.

"Zach, the bartender, did an amazing job! He took very good care of me during my visit. When I asked for the banana pudding as my dessert he suggested I try the bread pudding that they had on special for the day made fresh! I was hesitant because I’d never tried bread pudding before but after I told him that, he went and grabbed his manager, Scott, who then came over and offered me the bread pudding to try and even took care of it for me! And yes it was amazing! Truly such a great experience! I will be coming in again just for the great service and of course the amazing food! :)"

Marissa Lee

"Im not a huge fan of BBQ places, but my coworker was wanting BBQ so we looked for a place close enough to the airport.

First the place looks great. Very clean and nice decor. The smell was unbelievably good. It is a huge place with different seating areas even for private events.

Staff is great. Very attentive, professional and knowledgeable of the meats, the cooking process and the history of the place.

The food is so tasty and very appealing. We had onion rings, hush poppies, brisket, and smoke wings. Everything was so good specially the brisket and wings. So flavorful and tender you don't even need any sauces. Which by the way are really good as well.

After your meal you can ask the server to get you a tour of their smokers area which is impressive. They will show you the process of smoking the meats.

I was really impressed with this place and i would recommend it to anyone looking for a BBQ place near Charlotte airport or downtown."

Wilbert D

"When my son visits from Buffalo he wants to go to Noble Smoke and always takes pounds of BBQ back. Everything on the menu is superb and shareable. Great selection of cocktails and craft beer. Live music on patio. A bit pricey but well worth it!"

Maureen “Reenie” Smith Davis

What People Like

Exceptional brisket and ribs
Delicious and diverse Southern sides
Attentive and friendly service

What People Dislike

A la carte pricing can be expensive
Portions sometimes perceived as small

Frequently Asked Questions

Noble Smoke is renowned for its exceptional hickory-smoked brisket, ribs, and a variety of delicious Southern sides.

It is recommended to visit during off-peak hours or make reservations, as Noble Smoke can get busy.

Popular sides include macaroni & cheese, brussels sprouts, hush puppies, and pan-fried corn.

Google Review

While primarily a BBQ restaurant, they offer several vegetable-based sides like brussels sprouts, mac & cheese, and corn.

Yes, after your meal, you can ask your server for a tour of their impressive smoker area to see the meat smoking process.

Google Review

With its spacious, industrial setting and shareable platters, it's a great spot for gatherings and events.

Google Review

Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

Time Out

11 Best Spots for BBQ in Charlotte

While excellent, the barbecue takes somewhat of a backseat to the extensive wine program and the regionally inspired side dishes you’ll find at Jim Noble’s namesake restaurant. The 30-year restaurant puts out elevated Southern staples, including pan-fried corn, butter beans, succotash, okra (when in season), pan-fried green beans and field peas to accompany hundreds of pounds of premium beef, pork and chicken that are smoked over hickory coals and served daily.

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Fodors Travel Guide

These Are the Best Barbecue Spots in Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte restaurateur and chef Jim Noble long dreamed of opening this barbecue joint and spent 25 years conducting research all over the South. He crisscrossed the Carolinas, traveled to Texas twice, and sampled ribs and pork sandwiches everywhere in between. Noble Smoke is the result of his efforts and a love letter to pitmasters everywhere.

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Charlottes Got A Lot

BBQ Restaurants in Charlotte | Barbecue in Charlotte, NC

Noble Smoke is the dream come to life of longtime restaurateur Jim Noble. Noble owns popular Charlotte locales Rooster’s and The King’s Kitchen, but this Southern barbecue joint has been part of his long-term plans for more than 25 years. Housed in a former truck maintenance facility on Freedom Drive and with a food stall at Optimist Hall, Noble Smoke pays tribute to the pitmaster legends that inspired Noble and his love of smoked meat.Claim to fame: Chopped Cheshire pork with western or eastern slaw

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travel.usnews.com

What to Eat in Charlotte

If Carolina-style barbecue is what you're after, head to Sweet Lew's, Midwood Smokehouse, Mac's Speed Shop or Noble Smoke. Though there are plenty of traditional Southern eateries in the Queen City, more and more restaurants are offering contemporary takes on classics like grits and blackened catfish. Leah & Louise, which opened in the city's new Camp North End development, is one example that's earned positive reviews for its tasty dishes inspired by the Lower Mississippi River Valley.

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Charlotte Magazine

How We Eat Now: 24 Charlotte Dining Experiences You Need to Try

Veteran restaurateur and North Carolina native Jim Noble (Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen, The King’s Kitchen) makes plain that Noble Smoke, the barbecue restaurant he opened on Freedom Drive in July, is only partly a nod to the past. Like its rural forebears, Noble Smoke slow-cooks its meats over wood coals. Unlike them, it serves a variety of barbecue styles in a refurbished industrial brick building in one of America’s fastest-growing big cities.

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Axios

Charlotte's 25 best new restaurants of 2019

Barbecue:The pork is cooked both Carolina and Texas style in an 1,800-square-foot smokehouse. They’ve got eight wood-fired smokers — six made of steel (Texas style) and two traditional North Carolina masonry barbecue pits (which consist of 20,000 bricks). Meats:Chopped Cheshire pork, prime beef brisket, Joyce Farms chicken, smoked turkey breast, smoked Joyce Farms wings, Cheshire pork ribs ($16 half rack, $30 full rack) and wood-grilled fish.

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barbecuebros.co

Best of Charlotte Barbecue - Barbecue Bros

Jim Noble and team are carrying on the 100+ years-old legacy of Lexington-style barbecue at Noble Smoke in west Charlotte. Simply rubbed with salt and pepper and smoked directly over wood coals in their custom brick masonry pit (named “John”) whose design was borrowed with permission from family friends the Monk family of Lexington Barbecue, upon tasting the pork transports you an hour or so north up I-85. Honorable Mention: Sweet Lew’s BBQ

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American Eats

The Top Spots for Carolina BBQ in Charlotte

If you love contemporary old-school-styled barbeque, the Noble Smoke is one of the best bbq in charlotte having the place for you. Established over 30 years ago by Jim Noble, a seasoned chef and an incredible pitmaster, Noble Smoke brings you the best French Cuisine in Charlotte. Jim always had a passion for BBQ, and so he travelled to different places in Texas, sampling pork sandwiches and pork.

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Foodie Flashpacker

13 Must-Try Places To Try BBQ

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Everlong Residential

Barbecue Places in Charlotte North Carolina

Noble Smoke in Charlotte is a shining example of culinary excellence in the city’s booming restaurant sector. With its rustic yet welcoming setting and dedication to classic wood-fired BBQ, this famous restaurant delivers a unique dining experience. The enticing fragrance of slow-smoked meats permeates the air from the moment you walk in, preparing you for a feast fit for kings.

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QC Exclusive

100 of the Best Places to Eat in Charlotte Right Now

Slow-cooked premium beef, pork, and poultry smoked over hickory coals is the inspiration for the name and menu of this Jim Noble creation. A smoked main paired with a Southern side and followed by Heath banana pudding makes for an unforgettable BBQ meal and puts this new establishment firmly on the list of the best places to eat in Charlotte right now.

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Noble Food and Pursuits

Service Beyond the Table

For 25 years, Chef Jim Noble chased his dream of making barbecue all over the South, crisscrossing the Carolinas, traveling to Texas twice and sampling ribs and pork sandwiches everywhere in between. Off the road, he’d get lost in books and cookbooks, reading up on a tradition that is nothing short of personal to pit masters and diners alike.

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iHeart

5 Of The Best BBQ Joints In Charlotte

Noble Smoke keeps its process simple, adding just salt, pepper and smoke to bring out the natural flavor of its meats. This BBQ spot hopes to " carry on the tradition of classic wood-smoked Carolina barbecue and honor all of the barbecue legends who came before me," said founder Jim Noble, told Charlotte Axios. View this post on Instagram

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BBQ Revolt

The 15 Best BBQ in Charlotte, North Carolina

It has since then served thousands of customers and remains a top priority to many. If you want to enjoy a meal with your friends, you can visit this place. They have a cozy setup that allows you to indulge in the smoky goodness and saucy mess peacefully.

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charlotte.axios.com

The 19 best patios in Charlotte, right now

This new flagship barbecue spot by Jim Noble (owner of Rooster’s) serves up tasty pork, brisket, ribs, chicken, and fish on Freedom Drive. The 200-person patio and biergarten out back has its own pavilion with about a dozen Suffolk Punch beers on draft.

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offtheeatenpathblog.com

Best BBQ in Charlotte North Carolina at 16 Barbecue Joints |

Type of BBQ: Primarily Eastern-style, plus Texas BBQ brisket and ribs. Things to know: Reservations recommended for weekends, à la carte menu, big parking lot behind the building. Why we like it: Good for groups, great dog-friendly patio

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Restaurant Clicks

27 Best Restaurants in Charlotte

2216 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208704-703-5252 Visit Website. Noble Smoke is a Southern BBQ restaurant in West Charlotte. Though it’s a North Carolina place, Noble Smoke serves Texas beef brisket better than anything in that state.

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Charlotte Observer

Stop by these BBQ spots in the Charlotte area this summer.

Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206. Neighborhood: Optimist Park. Noble Smoke works with local farms, including Creekstone Farms, Joyce Farms and Cheshire Farms, each specializing in a different meat.

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Stacker

Highest-rated Barbecue Restaurants in Charlotte

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (88 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (3.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Barbecue- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 2216 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208-4041- Read more on Tripadvisor

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15 Must-Try Restaurants in Charlotte, North Carolina

BBQ lovers rejoice at Noble Smoke, where pitmaster Jim Noble serves up mouthwatering smoked meats and savory sides. Whether you prefer brisket, ribs, or pulled pork, you're sure to find your new favorite BBQ joint here.

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scoopcharlotte.com

Frozen Cocktails & Drinks around the QC

Noble Smoke offers a Frozen Painkiller at its Beer Shack every Thursday through Saturday, made with orange juice, pineapple juice, coconut cream, nutmeg, Captain Morgan and Carolina Muddy River Distillery rum for $7.

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Atly

Top 50 Gluten-Free Dinner Spots Across Charlotte

Three special blends of sauces to compliment pork, beef, and chicken. Staff is very attentive to dietary needs and recommends menu items safe for dairy and gluten-free options. Huge dining room and cozy bar area.

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scallionpancake

Best Restaurants in Charlotte 2019

The ribs are incredible, and there’s no stopping the fried hand pies. We also think their selection of sides is standout, even though the brisket is still a second place finish to our sweet, Sweet Lew’s.

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Barbecue Bros - Barbecue Travels in NC & Beyond

The 5 Best Barbecue Joints in Charlotte – December 2023

In terms of announcements 2024 will have at least one promising new barbecue joint in the form of Edmar Simoes (formerly of Sauceman’s and Noble Smoke) bringing true ‘cue to Resident Culture Brewing.

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Andrew Loves

Noble Smoke - Barbecue / BBQ - Restaurant Review

COUNTLESS people in Charlotte have recommended Noble Smoke to me. People say it’s the best BBQ in the city. Naturally, with the hype, I was so excited to try it — and… womp-womp (sad trombone).

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goodqandeats.com

BEST BARBECUE NEAR CHARLOTTE VICINITY – GOOD Q AND EATS

28208 704-703-5252 Location/Directions My visit to Noble Smoke was not much about anticipated speculation of the eats that was my usual concern.

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