These are the 6 best French onion soups in Charlotte

After perusing some other lists, I was appalled when one featured Panera, yes, PANERA in the French onion soup top five. Another—Jason’s Deli. These places may make a mean panini, but they can’t make the bowl of French onion soup we demand, nay, deserve.

To set the story straight once and for all, here are the 6 best French onion soups in Charlotte.

300 East

This soup is dense—filled to the brim with onions, bread and cheese. Like we’re talking a half inch layer of cheese. If you’re looking for a French onion soup that is satisfying enough to be your meal, then 300 East is for you.

Cheese: Provolone, but it tastes just as good as the classic Gruyere.
Price: $6.50
Neighborhood: Dilworth

Café Monte

It seems too obvious that the best place to get French onion soup is at a French restaurant. But obvious or not, Café Monte has perfected their brand of onion soup with a generous topping of melted cheese, salty broth and serve it in an adorable goblet that I would very much like to steal.

Cheese: Gruyere
Price: $7
Neighborhood: SouthPark

Beef ‘n Bottle

Beef n’ Bottle has the best salad dressing in Charlotte. Their homemade ranch is ridiculous and I’ve heard that people buy it in bulk. But this article is not about ranch dressing, it’s about French onion soup. And they also do this very well.

Cheese: Swiss with parmesan sprinkles
Price: Cup $5, Bowl $7
Location: South Boulevard

Pro tip: You can substitute your side or salad for French onion soup for just $2.

La Belle Helene

Did you take French in high school? La Belle Helene is betting you did with their “Onion soup gratin” AKA French onion soup. This may be Charlotte’s most beautiful restaurant, but you’re not going to notice the architecture while you’re devouring piles of gooey cheese.

Cheese: Comte and gruyere
Price: $10
Neighborhood: Uptown

Pro tip: Save a few pieces of their homemade table bread for dipping purposes.

The Crêpe Cellar

With Gruyere cheese and a “crostini” (aka a small piece of bread), the Crepe Cellar has the top French onion in NoDa. And obviously as your friend I have to insist that you order a dessert crepe on the side.

Cheese: Gruyere
Price: $8
Neighborhood: NoDa

The Gallery at Ballantyne

The Gallery mixes up their French onion with OMB soaked Gruyere cheese (which I could use more of, honestly) and a focaccia crouton which is the largest crouton I’ve ever seen. It’s the most expensive FO on this list (can we start calling French onion FO?) so only go here if you don’t have crippling student loan debt.

Cheese: OMB soaked Gruyere. I have no idea what this means but it’s damn good.
Price: $10
Neighborhood: Ballantyne