22 must-try soups in Charlotte

Here’s a list of 22 must-try soups in Charlotte, listed in no particular order.

(1) Baked French Onion Soup – 300 East

Baked provolone with croutons for $7.

(2) Lobster Bisque – BrickTop’s

This $14 soup with fresh Maine lobster, cream, and brandy is a huge hit in SouthPark. The lobster comes in alive to the restaurant every morning — that’s how fresh it is.

(3) Tom Yum Soup – Thai Taste

A slightly sour, spicy soup with herbs, tomatoes, green onions, cilantro and mushrooms.

• Another top soup seller is Thai Taste’s Tom Kha, a coconut cream soup with mushrooms, green onions, tomatoes, galanga, cilantro, and lemongrass.

(4) Cauliflower Soup — Barrington’s

Priced at $15, this fancy soup is made with poached shrimp, buttery croutons, chives and truffle oil.

(5) Tonkotsu Ramen – Futo Buta

It’s made with pork bone broth, pecan smoked pork belly, scallions, organic mushroom, onsen egg, pickled ginger, nori, sesame, and black garlic.

• Futo Buta offers eight different ramen bowls including other popular choices like their Miso Ramen, Fire & Ice Ramen and Chizu Ramen.

(6) She Crab Soup – Eddie’s Place

Eddie’s Place may be known for its all-day breakfast, but the She Crab soup is a must-try. It’s $8.25 for a bowl and comes with two giant pieces of warm salted bread — great for dipping.

(7) Sopa De Pollo – Viva Chicken

Pulled rotisserie chicken, homemade chicken broth, cilantro infused rice, green onions, red onions, red peppers and cilantro ($6.95).

(8) Chicken Tortilla Soup – Paco’s Tacos

It’s five bucks for a bowl and is made with poached chicken, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, and chilis — garnished with avocado, lime and jalapeño.

(9) French Onion Soup – La Belle Helene

When at a French restaurant, order the French onion soup. This version is rich, decadent, melty and oh-so satisfying

(10) Curry Laska – CO

Shredded chicken, bun rice noodles, shredded cucumber, Thai basil and baby bok choy served in a spicy coconut broth ($18).

(11) Tomato Soup – Papi Queso

This tomato soup with tarragon cream obviously pairs well with a grilled cheese (try Papi’s burger melt grilled cheese).

(12) New England Clam Chowdah – Moosehead Grill

Look at the way it’s spelled; you know it’s going to be good. Plus, the big chunks of clam live up to the hype.

(13) Chicken Noodle — Pasta & Provisions

If you’ve never bought a large frozen container of soup from Pasta & Provisions, are you truly a soup lover?

• Other soup options include pasta Fagioli, Italian wedding, tomato bisque, vegetarian minestrone and cioppino (seafood stew).

(14) Spicy Crab Soup – Alexander Michael’s Tavern

This thick and creamy soup is generously portioned and has plenty of fresh crab meat ($6.50).

(15) Noble’s Tomato Basil Bisque – Rooster’s

When it’s got the owner’s last name in front of it, you know it’s going to be good. It’s served with goat cheese and pesto.

(16) Texas Chili — Lupie’s Cafe

They say it’s hot, and they mean it. It’s our favorite of Lupie’s four different chilis. It’s made with ground chuck but NO tomatoes, and it simmers in beer sauce for over six hours (which comes through in the flavor).

(17) Pho Dac Biet — Lang Van

This popular family-run Vietnamese restaurant has been serving the Charlotte community since 1990. If it’s your first time having pho, they’ll guide you to the pho dac biet, a huge bowl of beef soup with rice noodles.

Related story: 35 iconic restaurants that have been serving Charlotte for 20+ years

(18) Spicy Pork Ramen — Bao & Broth

Made with pork and chicken broth, Fresno chili paste, Cashe pork belly, Shoyu egg and pickled ginger (love that additional flavor).

(19) Tortilla Soup – Cantina 1511

Traditional pulled chicken soup in a fresh vegetable broth, topped with Mexican cheese, tortilla chips and fresh avocado.

(20) Nei Jiang Beef Noodles — The Dumpling Lady

Egg noodles with house-made beef stock, beef stew, bok choy, chives and cilantro.

(21) Tomato bisque – The Workman’s Friend

Pair this classic tomato bisque with the Irish American grilled cheese which is Irish white cheddar and American cheese on sourdough.

(22) Tonkotsu Spicy – JINYA Ramen

A pork broth base with pork chashu, spicy bean sprouts, kikurage, green onion, spicy sauce and served with thick noodles.

Editor’s note: This guide was first published in October of 2017 and last updated in January of 2022