Despite a temporary thaw, cold weather isn’t behind us just yet. Luckily, the final weeks of winter chill come with their own kind of comfort. Whether you’re seeking solace from the chill or simply craving something comforting, Birmingham’s many soup spots promise a delicious remedy. Here’s where to find the best soup in Birmingham!
Creamy Heirloom Tomato Soup with Pesto Grilled Cheese at The Anvil Pub & Grill
Neighborhood: Lee Branch
More info: theanvilpub.com
Chef and Owner/Director of Culinary at The Anvil Pub Sedesh Boodram may not be from the South — he’s originally from Trinidad and Tobago and moved to Birmingham after years in New York City — but his tomato soup rivals the best of any Southern classic. The Creamy Heirloom Tomato Soup with Pesto Grilled Cheese is an elevated version of the classic soup favorite, epitomizing comfort with every spoonful. Adding to its deliciousness are all of the Alabama-sourced ingredients (not to mention the brioche bread is made in-house).
French Onion Soup at Bar La Fête
Neighborhood: Downtown
More info: lafetebham.com
You can never go wrong with any item on the Bar La Fête menu, but the eatery’s French Onion Soup is a true testament to culinary craftsmanship. The classic soup is slow-cooked with fragrant herbs and aromatics, with each bite unveiling layers of savory depth. It’s topped with a crouton crafted from sister bakery Bandit Patisserie’s sourdough, then generously adorned with melted raclette and comté cheeses. A culinary masterpiece!
Avgolemono Soup at Tasty Town Greek Restaurant and Lounge
Neighborhood: Southside
More info: eattastytown.com
The Avgolemono Soup at Tasty Town Greek Restaurant and Lounge is so much more than a soup; it’s an experience. The very essence of Greek cuisine comes alive in the bowl due to the eatery’s recipe and traditional cooking method. The soup starts with a base of rich, housemade chicken stock and egg yolk, with lemon, Greek herbs, orzo, and roasted Greek chicken added to create a culinary delight. Each spoonful transports you straight to the shores of Greece — no passport required.
Chicken & Rice Soup at El Barrio
Neighborhood: Downtown
More info: elbarriobirmingham.com
The Chicken and Rice Soup at El Barrio is always a crowd favorite — for good reason. The secret to its exceptional profile lies in its housemade ancho adobo paste, which infuses the soup with a rich, robust depth of flavor. When paired with a dollop of the eatery’s housemade sour cream and a generous squeeze of lime, it creates a harmonious blend of savory, tangy, creamy notes that keep us coming back for every comforting yet complex spoonful.
Mushroom Soup at Brick & Tin
Neighborhoods: Mountain Brook Village & Downtown
More info: brickandtin.com
Brick & Tin’s Mushroom Soup epitomizes culinary perfection. Each bite brings creamy goodness that hits all the right notes. Its freshness of flavors melds perfectly when paired with one of the restaurant’s salads, bringing your dining experience at either Brick & Tin location to new heights.
Shrimp Curry at Surin of Thailand
Neighborhoods: Southside, Highway 280, & Mountain Brook
More info: surinofthailand.com
Surin offers an array of tempting menu items, but there’s one dish that we always come back to as a must-order: Shrimp Curry. This culinary indulgence is unparalleled thanks to its beautiful blend of hot green Thai curry sauce and an assortment of red and green bell peppers, green beans, basil leaves, napa cabbage, and zucchini. A visit to Surin is never truly complete without a bowl.
White Chicken Chili at Greenhouse
Neighborhoods: Homewood & UAB
More info: greenhousebham.com
Greenhouse knows a thing or two about bringing on the flavor, and it’s proven in every bite of the White Chicken Chili. This chili is a true symphony of savory goodness, crafted with all-natural chicken, white beans, green peppers, and white onions. But the dish isn’t done there. The secret ingredient is a dollop of green hot sauce, infusing the chili with lime, oregano, cilantro, and a medley of peppers and vinegar. Just one bowl is sure to leave your taste buds begging for more.
Homemade Greek Lemon Chicken Soup at Taziki’s
Neighborhood: Locations vary
More info: tazikis.com
A trip to Greece so inspired Keith and Amy Richards that they came home and opened up the very first location of Taziki’s in 1998. The focus then — as it still is today — was all about creating fresh and delicious fare for the entire family. Case in point, the Homemade Greek Lemon Chicken Soup. From the first bite, your taste buds are on flavor overload thanks to the soup’s Mediterranean flare, amplified by the refreshing notes of zesty lemon. It’s a soup so good it should come with a warning … that you’ll crave it repeatedly.
Roasted Red Pepper Soup at Urban Cookhouse
Neighborhood: Locations vary
More info: urbancookhouse.com
When Urban Cookhouse has Roasted Red Pepper Soup on the menu, it means one thing: Run, don’t walk, to your nearest location. The seasonal favorite brings an explosion of flavor with ingredients like yellow onions, thyme, garlic, red potato, carrots, celery, chicken broth, and, of course, roasted red pepper. The eatery’s Roasted Red Pepper Soup perfectly illustrates how a soup can steal the spotlight as a full-on meal.
Hangover Ramen at Abhi Eatery and Bar
Neighborhood: Mountain Brook
More info: abhibirmingham.com
In our opinion, you’ve never really had ramen until you’ve tried the Hangover Ramen from Abhi Eatery and Bar. This isn’t your average noodle bowl; it redefines the ramen experience with its masterful infusion of ingredients. The deliciousness starts with the spicy pork broth and housemade chili olive oil crafted with Szechuan peppers. Adding to the mix are shredded pork belly, minced pork, pickled egg, scallions, cilantro, and ramen noodles. Each slurp brings a new layer of depth and burst of spice.
Creamy Celery Soup at Chez Fonfon
Neighborhood: Southside
More info: fonfonbham.com
Creamy, delicious, and practically perfect is the only way to describe Chef Frank Stitt’s Creamy Celery Soup. The current soup du jour at Chez Fonfon celebrates the humble celery and its root companion with the additions of leeks, butter, potatoes, and vegetable broth. As if it couldn’t get any better, the puréed perfection is topped with fried leeks.
Creamy Tomato Soup at Birmingham Breadworks
Neighborhood: Southside
More info: birminghambreadworks.com
We may already have one tomato soup on our list, but this creamy iteration from Birmingham Breadworks should also be on your radar. Thanks to its velvety texture and the burst of vibrant flavors, it’s a game-changer. Made in-house from scratch with the eatery’s secret recipe, this soup is one you’ll turn to any time of year.
Enjoy, Birmingham!
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Looking for more delicious spots to try in the ‘ham? Check out our article, New Restaurants in Birmingham, updated monthly!
