The 50 Best Soups Across the U.S.

The one-one-one soup combo is the move for anyone who refuses to choose just one Gulf Coast classic. This trio typically features seafood gumbo, a creamy crab or seafood chowder, and a rotating house favorite—each one showcasing bold, briny Southern flavor. It’s indulgent without being over-the-top, giving you a full tour of coastal comfort in a single order. If you want to understand Alabama’s love affair with seafood soups, this sampler says it all.

Its “World Famous for over Thirty Years” seafood chowder isn’t just marketing—it’s a rite of passage. Packed with Alaskan seafood and folded into a rich, creamy base, this chowder is built for long winters and big appetites. It’s hearty without feeling heavy, letting the natural sweetness of the seafood shine through. After a day exploring the rugged outdoors, this is exactly the kind of bowl you hope to come back to. As one Only In Your State reader explains, "You have to get 'the seafood clam chowder. [It’s] all fresh Alaskan seafood in this delicious soup.”

The solyanka from Soup and Sausage is bold, smoky, and unapologetically savory. Loaded with smoked sausage, bacon, potatoes, pickles, and carrots, this Eastern European classic balances richness with a bright, briny kick. It’s complex, comforting, and just a little unexpected for the desert Southwest—which makes it all the more memorable. Each spoonful layers salt, smoke, and tang into something deeply satisfying and completely craveable.

Chicken and hearts of palm soup brings Brazilian warmth to Arkansas at Cafe Bossa Nova. Tender chicken and delicate slices of hearts of palm float in a light yet flavorful broth that feels nourishing and vibrant. It’s comforting without being heavy, offering subtle herbal notes and a clean finish that keeps you going back for another spoonful. This is the kind of soup that surprises you—in the best way.

Few things feel more California than chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, and this one delivers. Creamy clam chowder, brimming with tender clams and potatoes, is poured into a crusty, tangy sourdough loaf that soaks up every drop. It’s rich, cozy, and perfectly suited for a breezy day along the coast. By the time you tear into the bread bowl itself, you’ll understand why this classic never goes out of style.

Tucked inside The Broadmoor, the cheddar ale soup at the Golden Bee feels tailor-made for mountain evenings. Sharp cheddar melts seamlessly into malty ale, creating a velvety, pub-style bowl with depth and warmth. It’s rich but balanced, with just enough tang and toastiness to keep things interesting. After a day outdoors, this is the kind of fireside comfort you’ll be craving.

Chicken pot pie soup captures everything you love about the classic dish—just with a spoon instead of a fork. Creamy broth, tender chicken, and hearty vegetables come together in a bowl that feels nostalgic and satisfying. It’s thick enough to feel indulgent, yet balanced enough to finish every last bite. Pure New England comfort.

This tomato bisque proves that simplicity can still steal the show. Silky, smooth, and deeply tomato-forward, it strikes that perfect balance between sweetness and acidity. Each spoonful is rich without being heavy, making it ideal on its own or paired with a crusty piece of bread. It’s a timeless classic done exceptionally well. An Only In Your State reader adds, “It’s an original homemade, made-to-order recipe!”

Khao soi brings bold, layered flavor to the Sunshine State. A creamy coconut curry broth wraps around tender noodles, topped with crispy noodles for crunch and bright garnishes for contrast. It’s aromatic, spicy, and complex—offering sweet, savory, and heat in perfect balance. This is the kind of bowl that wakes up your taste buds and keeps you thinking about it long after.

The weekly "Soupscription" is less about one standout soup and more about a delicious ritual. Rotating, scratch-made soups change frequently, encouraging loyal fans to check in week after week. From cozy classics to globally inspired creations, every batch feels thoughtful and fresh. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best bowl is the one you didn’t expect.

The kam bowl oxtail soup at Asahi Grill is pure island comfort. Slow-simmered oxtail yields a deeply savory, clear broth layered with ginger and subtle spice. Served with rice and a soy-ginger dipping sauce, it’s interactive and soulful—equal parts hearty and restorative. It’s no wonder this late-night favorite has earned legendary status.

Loaded baked potato soup in a bread bowl is comfort turned all the way up. Creamy potato base, sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, and classic toppings come together in a crusty vessel that soaks up every bit of goodness. It’s hearty, filling, and unapologetically cozy—exactly what you want on a crisp Idaho day.

The spinach bisque soup at Landmark transforms a humble green into something rich and elegant. Velvety and vibrant, it balances earthy spinach flavor with just enough creaminess to feel indulgent. It’s simple, refined, and quietly unforgettable—a bowl that proves restraint can be powerful. Just ask the Only In Your State reader who nominated the location by simply saying, “They make [this soup] with excellence.”

Subito’s monthly soup calendar keeps regulars coming back for more. With rotating seasonal ingredients and creative flavor combinations, there’s always something new simmering. It turns soup into an event—encouraging you to plan your visits around what’s on the menu. One glance at the lineup and you’ll be mapping out return trips.

The cream of portobello at Cafe D'Marie is earthy, silky, and deeply aromatic. The mushrooms deliver rich umami flavor, while the creamy base smooths everything into a luxurious finish. It feels comforting yet elevated—proof that a well-made mushroom soup can easily be the star of the table.

The soup sampler at Tanya's is a choose-your-own adventure for serious soup lovers. Multiple scratch-made selections let you taste across styles and flavors in one sitting. It’s generous, satisfying, and ideal for anyone who believes one bowl is never enough.

Classic burgoo is a Kentucky tradition simmered low and slow. Packed with tender meats and vegetables in a thick, savory base, it’s hearty enough to anchor any gathering. This is the kind of soup that tells a story—of tailgates, family tables, and generations of cooks perfecting their pot. At Stella's this delicious stew reigns supreme and has locals coming back time and time again.

A NOLA staple, Commander's Palace is a must when visiting The Big Easy. Turtle soup is a Louisiana dish that's been on the menu since 1893. If snapping turtle isn't for you, the Creole gumbo or soup of the day are also worthy of recognition on this list. Curious? You can order the legendary menu item online.

The seafood chowder is widely known for being one of the best in the state, with multiple reader recommendations singing its praises. Expect a little bit of a line depending on when you go, but know that you're in good company—Guy Fieri featured the diner on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives over 10 years ago, and crowds still wait.

Listed as "The Oracle's Ladle" on the menu, the seasonal soup special at Christopher's Corner is worth visiting multiple times to taste a variety of soup dishes. Made-in house, it often changes weekly with one reader noting the bourbon pumpkin bisque as a favorite.

It's hard to distinguish a winner for best New England clam chowder in Massachusetts, but Boston's divey Sail Loft offers one of the best in the state. Served overflowing in a mug with oyster crackers (of course), you won't be disappointed. Plus, the restaurant has one of the best views in the city located right on the water in the North End. If you can't make it to Boston, you can order quarts online.

With six locations in the Kalamazoo area, you have a few options to get your soup fix. Serving chili and a soup of the day, one reader tipped us off to Friday's special—sweet pepper crab soup. Head to the West Main location which serves it until it runs out.

Wild rice soup is a Minnesota staple, and we heard that Minneapolis's The Kenwood serves one of the best elevated versions in the state. It's creamy, features chicken confit, and topped with chives—the perfect Midwestern comfort dish.

Honorable mention goes to the Ole Store Restaurant in Northfield, which uses Red Lake National wild rice.

Located on the Gulf Coast, Martha's Tea Room features a spectacular homemade seafood gumbo as well as daily soup specials. Past features include sweet corn crab, black bean, and cream of spinach. Check out the restaurant's social media pages for the daily menu and hours.

The iconic St. Louis restaurant has won awards for 52 of it's scratch-made soups, which are on a rotating menu. However, its signature Polish dill pickle soup—a Midwestern speciality—is always on the menu. Lucky for you, there's a soup duo option so you don't have to choose between the two.

This is one of the best buffets in Montana, offering scratch-made hearty soups like baked potato chowder with bacon, homestyle chicken noodle (with Montana-made noodles), chili with local ground beef, and more. There are always daily specials, and fresh breadsticks are a welcome accompaniment to any soup dish.

When a location is only open one day a week, you know it's got to be good—make sure to check its Instagram for any changes (or surprise bonus days). This funky Lincoln bakery and cafe serves vegan and vegetarian dishes that are worth lining up for. The Sunday menu typically features five or so rotating soups, but the Moroccan tomato is typically available. P.S. The buns are also to die for.

Of course you can find one of the most decadent (and expensive) soups in the U.S. in Las Vegas, famous for its extravagant dining scene. Created by the Michelin-starred chef Guy Savoy at his restaurant in Caesars Palace, the dish will set you back $100. Why? It features black truffles, along with artichoke and toasted mushroom brioche.

The soup menu at Collins Brothers is nothing short of extensive. The cash-only New England staple offers classics like broccoli and cheddar and Italian wedding, but is really known for its chowder options. New England clam and corn and bacon are always on the menu, but there are also weekly and monthly specials worth planning a trip for—keep an eye out for the "souper cheesesteak" and haddock chowder.

It's hard to go wrong with french onion soup, but this local Chatham establishment serves some of the best in the state. One reader notes that "wherever you go, you can't compare [it to] River Grille's french onion soup." Served in a crock with a bubbling cheese layer and a generous portion of garlic dipping bread, we agree.

This historic and (maybe) haunted restaurant in Old Town is known for its steaks, but don't sleep on its sole soup dish—green chile stew. High Noon does the classic New Mexico dish justice with tender pork, roasted green chile, potato, tomato, and onion served with a tortilla.

Locals love the matzo ball soup at this Jewish-Canadian delicatessen in Brooklyn. While it's not the city's oldest or most traditional delicatessen (that goes to Katz's), it's become a neighborhood favorite since opening in 2010. And if matzo ball soup isn't your cup of soup, there are a bunch of other classic options on the menu like chicken noodle and beef chili.

This quirky and popular Mexican restaurant in the state's capital is known for its decor, margaritas, and tacos—plus the train that delivers your apps—but we think its soup options are also noteworthy. On the menu: chicken tortilla served with chicken, avocados, corn, and cheese; pozole, a hearty and spicy stew dish with pork and chicken; and el classico, with rice, chicken, pico de gallo, and avocado served over broth.

Kroll’s famous knoephla soup is a regional icon that's been hailed as the best knoephla in North Dakota. "Lumpy and yellow just how grandma likes it," knoephla is a thick, creamy German-Russian potato and dumpling soup that's considered the official state soup of North Dakota. This is stick-to-your-ribs soup at its finest and with four locations in North Dakota (Minot pictured here), you're never far from a great bowl of soup.

In the heart of Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, Sacred Beast Diner is a local favorite known for serving up delicious, simple meals—"taken seriously!" The matzah ball soup is the perfect example of Sacred Beast's mantra. Comfort in a bowl, Sacred Beast lets carrots and parsnips simmer with the titular dough balls in a clear broth that's full of flavor. If you're feeling a little under the weather, this will perk you right up.

Only In Your State readers hailed this Oklahoma restaurant's namesake as the best soup in the state for the last 25 years. The restaurant recently moved to a new location at the North Park Mall outside entrance and we recommend visiting the new digs. Purchase soups by the pint or the quart—the chicken noodle is "the best sick day soup" according to readers, but in warmer months, Soup Soup's gazpacho is a show stopper!

Tucked in the shadow of the Astoria-Megler Bridge, the aptly named Bridgewater Bistro isn't just one of the best waterfront restaurants in Oregon, it's one of the best restaurants in Oregon, period—especially when it comes to soup. Clam and mussel chowder gets our pescatarian pick, but those looking for a veg-friendly option on the Oregon Coast need to try the Hungarian mushroom soup.

Philadelphia is a food lover's town and there are many, many delis in the city worth visiting. However, if it's a delicious bowl of soup you're craving, there's only one choice: Famous 4th Street Delicatessen.
Hailed as one of the best Jewish delis in America, the matzo ball soup is a fan favorite, but the Borsht is absolutely delicious and will make any beet skeptics fans of the polarizing root veg.

Family owned and operated, Macera's has built a reputation for a delicious and delightful dining experience in Cranston, Rhode Island. Specializing in Northern Italian cuisine with an American twist, Macera’s is known across the Ocean State for for its comforting, made-to-order meals. One of the most beloved items from the menu is the famous chicken escarole soup, a signature that’s become legendary among discerning diners in Rhode Island, the Northeast, and beyond.

In downtown Charleston, South Carolina, Hyman's Seafood has been serving up the best of the Low County since 1987 (the building in which it's located harkens back to 1890 when it was established by Eli and Aaron Hyman as a wholesale dry goods company). Today, Hyman's is known for regional Lowcountry dishes like hush puppies, she-crab soup, and shrimp and grits. Only In Your State readers can't get enough of the seafood gumbo from this restaurant, which has garnered cult status as the best in the South.

French onion soup is one of those soups where folks have big opinions: you either love it or hate it. However, in South Dakota, The Barrel House has a spin on this polarizing dish that manages to connect both sides of the soup aisle. The secret? Bourbon, of course! Described as pleasantly mellow with a sweet hint of smoky bourbon, the Bourbon French Onion Soup is served with a toasted, cheesy crostini for dunking.

If you're the type who believes that there's no better pairing that grilled cheese and tomato soup, then The Grilled Cheeserie in Nashville, Tennessee, needs to be on your dining list. Only In Your State senior editor, Sarah McCosham, first encountered The Grilled Cheeserie while out and about in Nashville with her daughter, and the restaurant's classic grilled cheese and tomato soup combo was the best thing they ate on that trip.

The three cheese blend (America, white cheddar, gruyère) on buttery-crisp sourdough is the Platonic Ideal of grilled cheeses, but the house-made "old-fashioned" tomato soup steals the show. Perfectly thick and dunkable, with hints of black pepper, this soup is an experience all its own.

We've heard of beer flights, but soup flights? Tell us more! While the seafood gumbo from Brennan's in Houston, Texas, received rave reviews from readers, it's the restaurant's soup trio that really levels up the experience. The menu's Soup 1-1-1—a demitasse of tomato, gumbo, and snapping turtle soups—is the perfect appetizer to share with a dining partner, or simply ordered as its own main meal. If the weather allows, definitely opt to dine in the outdoor patio: it's shaded, lush, and absolutely lovely.

We're always on the lookout for plant-based options and were pleased as punch to see nominations pour in for Gourmandise's Roasted Carrot Curry soup. With warming spices and a robust root veg flavor, the only way to make this soup any better is to order it in a bread bowl. Trust us.

Of course, meat lovers have much to choose from on the menu, with the German-style mountain chili a fan favorite that's unlike any other chili in the Southwest. Made with ground beef, summer sausage, bacon, beans, onions, and peppers, simmered in German lager and tomato jus, and topped with fresh avocado, sour cream, and shredded cheese, this is the kind of chili that folks go out of their way to enjoy!

Burlington, Vermont, is a haven for foodies and beer lovers. For proof of this, simply visit The Farmhouse Tap & Grill. There's a little bit of everything on the menu at this farm-to-table restaurant, from award-winning burgers to a raw bar filled with fresh seafood. But it's the soup that's stolen Only In Your State readers' hearts, specifically the cheddar ale soup. Beer and cheese are a match for the gods, and when The Farmhouse's cheddar ale soup is paired with buttery toast and a local brew? Heaven.

Brunswick stew is a tomato-based stew originating in the South that's often served with 'cue and features a mix of smoked meats, regional vegetables, and a flavorful, barbecue-esque broth. The BBQ Exchange is known for this Southern specialty; it's won awards for it, in fact! Come and enjoy a savory, soul-warming bowl of Brunswick stew from The BBQ Exchange—with a side of cornbread, of course.

While Pike Place Chowder is known as the "Home of the Most Awarded Chowder in America," it's the restaurant's focus on flavor and quality that sets it apart from the many seafood spots in Seattle—and the Pacific Northwest. According to Pike Place Chowder's Emily Hillyer, the restaurant crafts "eight scratch-made chowders daily using carefully selected ingredients sourced both locally and nationally, depending on what delivers the best result in the bowl." Pike Place even makes these delicious chowders available to order online.

Hillyer adds that "every decision begins with taste—everything is cooked on-premises, starting early each morning, with batches prepared throughout the day to maintain consistency and depth of flavor." "Supporting local producers is important to us," says Hillyer, "not only for quality but because strengthening our community matters in today’s hospitality environment."

In Huntington, West Virginia, Bahnhof WVrsthaus & Biergarten is a hidden gem locals love for authentic, stick-to-your-ribs Hungarian cuisine. The Hungarian goulash is a true taste of the Old World, and features impossibly tender beef, flavorful vegetables, and a punch of paprika, served with homemade bread and finished with a dollop of sour cream. This is the perfect cure for whatever ails you, whether it's a cold, the winter weather, or simply a case of the Mondays.

When the snow and cold finally leaves Door County, and the villages fill up with summer tourists, a little cafe opens to welcome visitors. Open seasonally, Summer Kitchen has drawn visitors to decades and is very well known for two simple offerings: the wonderland of summer blossoms outside and the soup bar that’s always stocked with the best soup in Wisconsin. 

This place has a soup bar that's a dream for soup lovers. The spicy tomato dill soup is sublime—rich and spicy—while the cream of mushroom is an unexpected delight. Come for the soup, stay for the views: the colorful flowers outside make for a most picture-perfect dining experience.

Known for its fusion of cowboy cuisine and French fare, Paris West in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is unlike any other restaurant in the state. Named due to Cheyenne's historically elegant and eclectic "big city" reputation, it's fitting that Wyoming's own "Paris of the West" has a small taste of French-inspired glamor in its midst.

Order the Rancher's Iron for your main course—it's a skillet of tender beef flat iron steak coated in black and pink peppercorns and served with a mushroom brandy sauce, fingerling potatoes, feta roasted carrots—but start with a bowl of soup. The French onion is (of course) delicious, but if you're feeling more Wyoming than France, the loaded baked potato soup is hearty, warming, and seriously delicious.

So if you want to have a say in the next list of Only In Your State's 50 Best, check out our nomination form. We're here for the food recs, always.