Restaurants With The Absolute Best Soup In The U.S.

There's nothing quite like a bowl of soup on a cold day. The broth feels as if it runs through your veins and warms you to the core, leaving your body temperature and mouth smiling wide. Heck, the weather doesn't even need to feel cold to enjoy soup. It's simply a perfect way to kick off any meal at a restaurant before the entrees make their appearance. While the other guests in your party might opt for a salad or some other handheld munchable to start their meal, you just can't go wrong when you see a great selection of soup on the menu. It's the ideal diving board to help launch you into the pool of dinner you're about to experience.

Unfortunately, some places just don't offer up a solid soup selection, and that's a huge letdown when you walk in ready to grab a spoon and cannonball into a hearty bowl of broth. That's why you should always check out the menu before you haul yourself somewhere. But, even scoping out a menu doesn't guarantee you'll feel completely satisfied with the options. So, we've compiled a list of places that do offer some of the best tasting bowls of soup in the country. Grab a cape, because you're about to enter the wonderfully delicious world of soup-er heroes.

If you're thinking about planning a trip to Colorado and want to stay at a resort that offers a really cool old-fashioned dining experience, look no further than The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. The gastropub, Golden Bee, whisks patrons back to 19th-century England. According to the website, the entire pub was actually transported from the United Kingdom panel by panel, so you literally are visiting a place with rich English history. Every night, the crowd inside sings along to songs played on the piano while they toss back a huge selection of British beer and enjoy fantastic cuisine.

While the menu teems with amazing options, you'd be making a huge mistake skipping over the soups. There are only two, French onion and cheddar ale, and you're going to want to direct your attention to the latter. The soup starts with pounds of Tillamook white cheddar in a big pot. Then, in goes a hefty pour of Bristol Beehive Ale, mustard, veggies, and a little bit of Tabasco for a kick that cuts through the richness of the cheddar. Garnish with caraway seeds, rye croutons, and even more cheese for a bowl of soup that'll warm your soul on even the coldest Colorado day.

If you've had Detroit-style pizza — meaning the extra-deep, extra-crunchy pie was cooked in a rectangular pan — you have Buddy's Pizza to thank. Created in 1946 at Buddy's Rendezvous Pizzeria on the city's east side, Buddy's pies quickly became famous for their unique style, featuring toppings placed directly on the pizza dough as opposed to the tomato sauce (which is added after both the toppings and cheese). The pizza is such a hit that USA Today actually placed Buddy's Pizza on its list of pilgrimage-worthy pies. But, there's another reason to take a trip to any one of the several locations, and you'll be surprised to know it's not for the pizza.

Go for the minestrone soup. That's right, this place serves a mean bowl of minestrone, and according to the menu, has been for 75 years. That's a long time to wow people with one dish, but there's a great reason for it. First, it's much thicker than an average minestrone, which means it's more filling. It's loaded with zucchini, celery, carrots, cannellini beans, onions, potatoes, and macaroni noodles, and the base is a rich and well-seasoned broth. So, go to Buddy's for the pizza, and don't forget the soup.

Described on its site as a "student union for adults," Cafe Patachou offers "a world class breakfast and lunch experience that includes dishes prepared with premium ingredients from scratch and to-order, a commitment to sourcing local and often organic products, refreshingly personal yet professional service by a well-trained team, and Café environments that are vibrant and alive." Founder Martha Hoover opened several eateries in Indianapolis, including Café Patachou (opened in 1989), and she's been building a culinary empire ever since. Her accolades include a 2020 James Beard Foundation nomination for Restaurateur of the Year, the title of Empire Builder of the Year from Eater, and a spot on Restaurant Hospitality's Top 25 Coolest Concepts list. Martha Hoover knows exactly what she's doing.

One of the reasons why Hoover draws crowds to Cafe Patachou is her tomato artichoke soup. The menu says the soup has been "served daily since 1989," and you'll realize why it's so popular. The bright flavor of fresh tomatoes meshes with the creamy texture of artichokes to create a rich broth you'll write home to mama about. The soup is topped with fresh-grated parmesan cheese and house-made croutons that add the perfect salty kick.

In 2006, Executive Chef Ronald Lee opened Soup Thyme, an all-soup establishment in Monroe, Connecticut. When you visit this gen in Fairfield County (as you should), you may find yourself scratching your head as to which soup to order, and seeing as there are so many enticing options, that makes total sense. But, there's one soup that stands out above the rest and should not be missed: the chicken pot pie. 

It is everything you love about an actual pot pie, teeming with chicken and veggies, except that you can eat it with a spoon. Tender chunks of celery and carrots in a thick broth full of juicy heaps of pulled chicken — the perfect comfort food. But what about the flaky crust? Fear not, as pieces of the buttery pastry are added on top. This soup leaves you wondering why more of your favorite dishes aren't edible with a spoon.

When you stroll through the bustling streets of New York City, you pass so many tiny noodle shops that your head spins. It feels as if you can't walk more than a block or two without seeing one. With the options, it may be hard to choose which one to enter. But one unassuming Vietnamese noodle and sandwich shop that is definitely worth your time and money is Saigon Shack in downtown Manhattan. It's the kind of place you'd walk by a thousand times without thinking anything of it, but do yourself a favor and make sure to visit.

What you're going to want to order is a bowl of pho, the classic Vietnamese noodle soup. The options are endless, and no matter what you choose, you'll be more than satisfied. Order the Classic Beef Pho for thinly sliced raw beef that gently cooks in the hot broth as you eat. You can also get juicy pieces of brisket, oxtail, or spicy short ribs in your flavor-packed bowl of broth. The broth is imbued with the flavors from the meat and veggies, and the noodles, themselves, are a thing of beauty. 

If you're traveling to Kohler, Wisconsin, visit The Horse and Plow, a local tavern with a big following. This casual pub is located inside the historic American Club Resort, which was built in 1918 to house immigrant men who worked at the famed plumbing manufacturer, Kohler Co. The pub is known for its collection of micro-brews and European beers.

And there's only one option on the menu to start with: the beer and cheese soup. Wisconsin is one of the top cheese-producing states in America, so the state means business when it comes to cheddar, Swiss, and pepper jack. The soup is made using the three types of locally-produced cheese, and the concoction of gooey greatness is cut with another of Wisconsin's favorites, locally-brewed beer. Topped with croutons for a welcome crunch, this rich and velvety soup is a filling treat. Beer cheese is no longer just for dipping pretzels, and it's all thanks to the culinary artists at The Horse and Plow.