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Soup at Vernick Coffee Bar
Vernick Coffee Bar

The Superior Soups of Philadelphia

Chicken with matzo balls, clam chowder, French onion, and more soups that stand out in Philly

by Ernest Owens and Eater Staff Updated
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Soup at Vernick Coffee Bar
| Vernick Coffee Bar
by Ernest Owens and Eater Staff Updated

It’s winter. It gets dark early and it’s (sometimes) cold out. That means warm, cozy meals are calling. Throughout these chilly East Coast months, soup is just the ticket. This guide includes 15 local soup stars, including some of the best takes on French onion and clam chowder, along with rarities like a seafood gumbo and a historic dish made with snapping turtles. Philly restaurants are also known for their steaming bowls of pho, ramen, and sundubu jjigae — there are too many great options to include here, so find those on the Vietnamese food, Korean food, and ramen maps.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Butternut Squash Bisque at Chestnut Hill Brewing Company

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This filling soup is ideal for those who want something savory, warm, and vegan. Prepared with maple cream and spiced pepitas, it’s an exceptional bowl of seasonal flavors.

8229 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-0300
(215) 247-0300

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Tomato Bisque and African Peanut Soup at Café Lutécia

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On a Fitler Square corner, Valérie Blum’s French cafe has been a neighborhood mainstay for decades. Known for its soups, Cafe Lutecia’s creamy tomato bisque and African chicken peanut soups are both favorites. Slurp one up alongside a slice of quiche or a sandwich on French bread.

2301 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 790-9557
(215) 790-9557

A.Kitchen + Bar

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This is a chef’s soup done right — an impressive combination of poached striped bass, potato, and smoked parsnip xo. There’s no soup like this in Philly and its notable embrace of seafood, herbs, and spices explains why.

135 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 825-7030
(215) 825-7030

Also featured in:

Vernick Coffee Bar

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Practically any soup at Vernick Coffee Bar is worth trying again (and again). Whether it’s their soothing miso mushroom soup (wisely made with toasted nori oil and enoki mushrooms) or their energizing carrot ginger soup (made with yogurt and chili oil) — there’s a suitable option that can impress.

1800 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 419-5052
(215) 419-5052

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Clam Chowder at Oyster House

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Sansom Street’s Oyster House, which has been cranking out quality seafood dishes for decades now, serves its clam chowder two ways: creamy New England-style with bacon or a tomato-based Manhattan version. Both feature fresh local clams. Chef Aaron Gottesman estimates that the kitchen goes through eight to 10 gallons of chowder a day. Enjoy a bowl with crunchy oyster crackers.

1516 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 567-7683
(215) 567-7683

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Meatball Pho at Pho Street

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Hearty, bold, and boutiful — this isn’t your average pho. The generous portions of meatballs, noodles, and nourishing broth makes this an entire meal that can be shared for two.

1230 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 454-6971
(215) 454-6971

Consomme at South Philly Barbacoa

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Known for her orange-infused lamb barbacoa tacos, South Philly Barbacoa’s Cristina Martinez doesn’t let even the drippings of the delectable meat go to waste. She turns them into a bright consommé with rice and chickpeas. It’s perfect on its own or alongside those famous tacos.

1140 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 694-3797
(215) 694-3797

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Tortilla Soup at Blue Corn

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The Italian Market’s Blue Corn does a lot of things right and one of them is its classic tortilla soup. The soup’s bright red tomato broth is full of fried tortilla strips, crema, cheese, slices of avocado, and dried pasilla pepper.

In Rittenhouse, El Rey offers a different take on this classic, with chicharron and cubes of panela.

940 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 925-1010
(215) 925-1010

Also featured in:

Shaved Noodle Soup at Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House

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At Chinatown’s no frills Nan Zhou, the choice is yours: long, hand-drawn noodles or wide, flat, shaved noodles in one of nearly two dozen soups. First timers should try the ribbony shaved noodles in beef brisket soup and then branch out into lamb, oxtail, and more.

1022 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-1550
(215) 923-1550

Also featured in:

Chicken Noodle Soup at Talula's Daily

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A notable chicken noodle soup in a city known for its hoagies can be a challenge — but Talula’s Daily has been consistent in serving up one of the most memorable renditions. Meaty, wholesome, and full of warm broth — it represents what a classic soup should feel and taste like.

208 W Washington Sq, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 592-6555
(215) 592-6555

Also featured in:

Matzo Ball Soup at Famous 4th Street Delicatessen

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Bigger is better at Famous 4th Street, where the kitchen plunks a baseball-sized matzo ball into its chicken broth along with bowtie noodles, kreplach (dumplings), kasha, rice, and carrots. This bowl serves two to three people for $19.

Find more chicken soup with matzo balls or noodles at Hershel’s East Side Deli in Reading Terminal Market, Schlesinger’s or Rachael’s Nosheri in Rittenhouse, and pretty much anywhere on this Jewish deli map.

700 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-3274
(215) 922-3274

Also featured in:

Tomato Soup at Bridget Foy's

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A longtime favorite, this luscious tomato soup has become the standard on South Street and beyond. Even more iconic? It’s paired with a scrumptious grilled cheese dipper that’s perfect for this chilly weather.

200 South St (2nd Street), Philadelphia, PA 19147

French Onion Soup at Bloomsday

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Bloomsday’s French onion soup starts with a stock made from dark roasted Primal Supply beef bones and caramelized onions deglazed with apple brandy. It’s served in the traditional way, in a crock with plenty of melted cheese on top.

Find this French favorite at several other Philly spots, including Gabi, Parc, and Oregon Diner.

414 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 319-8018
(267) 319-8018

Also featured in:

Down Home Gumbo at Amina

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Good gumbo is hard to find in this town, but at Amina’s, there’s no competition. Prepared with Ansel Mills Gold Carolina Rice, wild caught shrimp, crab, oysters, chicken wings, and spicy chicken sausage in a rich thicken broth — it’s a Southern gem in the cold North.

104 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(267) 324-3745
(267) 324-3745

Kensington Snapper Soup at Elwood

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People often think this historically significant soup is fish-based, but it’s actually made with snapping turtles (not snapper fish). Snapper soup has been found in Philadelphia restaurants since Colonial days, so it’s not surprising to spot it on the menu at Adam Diltz’s history-focused Elwood in Fishtown. The chef uses 15-pound local turtles to make the thick brown soup and serves it in an elegant crock with sherry on the side.

Worth noting: The Olde Bar and Oyster House are also known for snapper soup.

1007 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 279-7427
(215) 279-7427

Also featured in:

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Butternut Squash Bisque at Chestnut Hill Brewing Company

8229 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118

This filling soup is ideal for those who want something savory, warm, and vegan. Prepared with maple cream and spiced pepitas, it’s an exceptional bowl of seasonal flavors.

8229 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-0300
(215) 247-0300

Tomato Bisque and African Peanut Soup at Café Lutécia

2301 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19146

On a Fitler Square corner, Valérie Blum’s French cafe has been a neighborhood mainstay for decades. Known for its soups, Cafe Lutecia’s creamy tomato bisque and African chicken peanut soups are both favorites. Slurp one up alongside a slice of quiche or a sandwich on French bread.

2301 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 790-9557
(215) 790-9557

A.Kitchen + Bar

135 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

This is a chef’s soup done right — an impressive combination of poached striped bass, potato, and smoked parsnip xo. There’s no soup like this in Philly and its notable embrace of seafood, herbs, and spices explains why.

135 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 825-7030
(215) 825-7030

Vernick Coffee Bar

1800 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Practically any soup at Vernick Coffee Bar is worth trying again (and again). Whether it’s their soothing miso mushroom soup (wisely made with toasted nori oil and enoki mushrooms) or their energizing carrot ginger soup (made with yogurt and chili oil) — there’s a suitable option that can impress.

1800 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 419-5052
(215) 419-5052

Clam Chowder at Oyster House

1516 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Sansom Street’s Oyster House, which has been cranking out quality seafood dishes for decades now, serves its clam chowder two ways: creamy New England-style with bacon or a tomato-based Manhattan version. Both feature fresh local clams. Chef Aaron Gottesman estimates that the kitchen goes through eight to 10 gallons of chowder a day. Enjoy a bowl with crunchy oyster crackers.

1516 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 567-7683
(215) 567-7683

Meatball Pho at Pho Street

1230 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Hearty, bold, and boutiful — this isn’t your average pho. The generous portions of meatballs, noodles, and nourishing broth makes this an entire meal that can be shared for two.

1230 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 454-6971
(215) 454-6971

Consomme at South Philly Barbacoa

1140 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Known for her orange-infused lamb barbacoa tacos, South Philly Barbacoa’s Cristina Martinez doesn’t let even the drippings of the delectable meat go to waste. She turns them into a bright consommé with rice and chickpeas. It’s perfect on its own or alongside those famous tacos.

1140 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 694-3797
(215) 694-3797

Tortilla Soup at Blue Corn

940 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

The Italian Market’s Blue Corn does a lot of things right and one of them is its classic tortilla soup. The soup’s bright red tomato broth is full of fried tortilla strips, crema, cheese, slices of avocado, and dried pasilla pepper.

In Rittenhouse, El Rey offers a different take on this classic, with chicharron and cubes of panela.

940 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 925-1010
(215) 925-1010

Shaved Noodle Soup at Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House

1022 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

At Chinatown’s no frills Nan Zhou, the choice is yours: long, hand-drawn noodles or wide, flat, shaved noodles in one of nearly two dozen soups. First timers should try the ribbony shaved noodles in beef brisket soup and then branch out into lamb, oxtail, and more.

1022 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-1550
(215) 923-1550

Chicken Noodle Soup at Talula's Daily

208 W Washington Sq, Philadelphia, PA 19106

A notable chicken noodle soup in a city known for its hoagies can be a challenge — but Talula’s Daily has been consistent in serving up one of the most memorable renditions. Meaty, wholesome, and full of warm broth — it represents what a classic soup should feel and taste like.

208 W Washington Sq, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 592-6555
(215) 592-6555

Matzo Ball Soup at Famous 4th Street Delicatessen

700 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Bigger is better at Famous 4th Street, where the kitchen plunks a baseball-sized matzo ball into its chicken broth along with bowtie noodles, kreplach (dumplings), kasha, rice, and carrots. This bowl serves two to three people for $19.

Find more chicken soup with matzo balls or noodles at Hershel’s East Side Deli in Reading Terminal Market, Schlesinger’s or Rachael’s Nosheri in Rittenhouse, and pretty much anywhere on this Jewish deli map.

700 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 922-3274
(215) 922-3274

Tomato Soup at Bridget Foy's

200 South St (2nd Street), Philadelphia, PA 19147

A longtime favorite, this luscious tomato soup has become the standard on South Street and beyond. Even more iconic? It’s paired with a scrumptious grilled cheese dipper that’s perfect for this chilly weather.

200 South St (2nd Street), Philadelphia, PA 19147

French Onion Soup at Bloomsday

414 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Bloomsday’s French onion soup starts with a stock made from dark roasted Primal Supply beef bones and caramelized onions deglazed with apple brandy. It’s served in the traditional way, in a crock with plenty of melted cheese on top.

Find this French favorite at several other Philly spots, including Gabi, Parc, and Oregon Diner.

414 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(267) 319-8018
(267) 319-8018

Down Home Gumbo at Amina

104 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Good gumbo is hard to find in this town, but at Amina’s, there’s no competition. Prepared with Ansel Mills Gold Carolina Rice, wild caught shrimp, crab, oysters, chicken wings, and spicy chicken sausage in a rich thicken broth — it’s a Southern gem in the cold North.

104 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(267) 324-3745
(267) 324-3745

Kensington Snapper Soup at Elwood

1007 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125

People often think this historically significant soup is fish-based, but it’s actually made with snapping turtles (not snapper fish). Snapper soup has been found in Philadelphia restaurants since Colonial days, so it’s not surprising to spot it on the menu at Adam Diltz’s history-focused Elwood in Fishtown. The chef uses 15-pound local turtles to make the thick brown soup and serves it in an elegant crock with sherry on the side.

Worth noting: The Olde Bar and Oyster House are also known for snapper soup.

1007 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 279-7427
(215) 279-7427

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