Soup may be one of the most underrated meals out there. It warms you up, it comforts you, and best of all, it doesn't break the bank. Everyone loves soup. And if you don't, chances are you haven't gotten this far. Grab a spoon and get toasty – we've gathered the best of the best soup spots in town.
Last updated March 17, 2024
San Francisco
Via Wise Sons
(Multiple Locations)
There's not much that can top a good matzo ball soup on a chilly day, and this popular Jewish delicatessen sure knows how to do it right. Rich broth, plenty of chicken, and, of course, a big ol' matzo ball to top it off.
Via Marnee Thai
(1243 9th Ave // Inner Sunset + 2225 Irving St // Outer Sunset)
Marnee is one of the best Thai spots in the City (quote us on that), so it's only natural for them to have some of the best Thai soups around. Their Noodle Combo and Tom Yum soups are both delicious and able to cure you of the common cold (maybe don't quote us on that, but it's still amazing!).
Via Zazie
(941 Cole St // Cole Valley)
Their famous French Onion Soup is a gift from the heavens, plus they always have a rotating selection of vegetarian soup options. They're officially taking dinner reservations again, so no need to wait for that sweet, cheesy goodness.
Via Cinderella Bakery
(436 Balboa St // Inner Richmond)
While we're often opposed to waiting in lines on the weekend, this Russian cafe's is one that is always worth it. They have a healthy selection of soups, but our favorites are the Borsch and Pelmeni – Eastern European staples.
Via Judahlicious
(3906 Judah St // Outer Sunset)
Vegans of SF, we got you too. Judahlicious's Mahendra Soup (cauliflower, green lentils, potato, sweet potato, spices, walnut parmesan) is sure to get you through the winter, and their housemade chili is fire. Not just in the slang sense but also in the sense that it's spicy af and will surely warm you up.
(3248 18th St // Mission)
Gallardos has plenty of sopas to hold you over until spring: Caldo de res/pollo/camaron, albondigas, and the star of the show: pozole. The flavor is nothing short of rich, traditional, and hearty. You can grab a seat inside or out, or call to order soup to go.
Via Boudin
(Multiple Locations)
You already know it, and you may or may not love it – it's the OG San Francisco clam chowder. Served in a sourdough bread bowl. Enough said.
Via Loving Hut
(524 Irving St // Inner Sunset)
Some of the best vegan southeast Asian cuisine on the market, Loving Hut is stacked with delicious vegan renditions of Vietnamese/Thai dishes, including plenty of soups. Our favorite is the Bun Hue, a spicy lemongrass soup with rice noodles, soy "meat," tofu, and mushrooms. Filling, cheap, vegan, and delicious.
East Bay
Via Tipunan
(2353 E.12th St // Oakland)
If you haven't had the pleasure of devouring a massive bowl of Sinigang on a cold day, this is your sign to do so ASAP. Tipunan also serves Nilaga, which is equally as delicious. You can sit outside, but this is more of a grab and go/ takeout/delivery operation, so we'd recommend ordering ahead!
Via Imperial Soup
(723 Webster St // Oakland)
Get your tasty soup fix while also treating your body to the benefits of Imperial's seasonal soups. They say their soups help improve eaters' health with medicinal ingredients, and who are we to argue with natural Chinese medicine in the form of delicious soup?
Via Chai Thai
(545 International Blvd // Oakland)
Warm up with a tasty bowl of curry noodle soup, known as Khao Soi. This Thai dish has the best of all worlds with pickled mustard greens, red onions, noodles, cilantro, and lime. The standard protein is chicken, but you can opt for a vegetarian choice instead!
Via Marco Verch - Creative Commons
(2102 8th Ave // Oakland)
Fresh ingredients and rich broth make for a great combo at Champa Garden, a local Thai food paradise. Their wonton soup, Tom Kha, and Tom Yum are some truly superb soups — order them with chicken, beef, tofu, shrimp, pork, or completely vegetarian.
South Bay + Peninsula
Via Udon Mugizo
(San Jose // Mountain View // San Francisco)Four words: Mentai Cream Sauce Udon. Trust us. The Tonkotsu Udon and Curry Udon are also show-stoppers, and there's really nothing on the menu you can wrong with. The noodles are always perfectly fresh, chewy, and slurpable, and you already know the broth is the star of the show.
Via Celia's
(Multiple Locations)
Y'all ... This chicken tortilla soup. If we could insert some flame emojis, we would. Celia's tortilla soup (and the albondigas, to be honest) hit the spot every time. Stop by one of their 8 Bay Area locations, or order for pickup or delivery here.
Via Max's Of Burlingame
(1250 Old Bayshore Blvd // Burlingame)
Max's has matzo ball soup, Russian cabbage soup, french onion soup, and clam chowder (i.e. Max's has something for everyone). Not to mention, a full menu of snacks, plates, and desserts too. Don't sleep on 'em, go get your comfort in a bowl!
Via Noodles and Things
(79 E 3rd Ave // San Mateo)
The main thing you need to know about Noodles and Things is that they simmer their broth for 20+ hours before serving. Is this in Flavor Town, USA? Nope. It's just over on the Peninsula. Swing by either location, or snag your noodle soup for pickup here.
North Bay
Via Inverness Park Market
(12301 Sir Francis Drake Blvd // Inverness)
This market off the side of the road in one of the North Bay's teeniest towns takes the cake for the best soup in the area. Their homemade soup selection changes regularly, so be sure to check what it is when you order (if you're lucky, you'll land their killer clam chowder). Order for pickup here and walk over the famed Inverness Shipwreck to have a little soup-centric picnic.
Via SEA Noodle Bar
(286 Coddingtown Ctr // Santa Rosa)
Noodle lovers (so, everyone?), rejoice! You have to SEA what they've got in store for you: Asian-inspired chicken noodle soup, tofu soup, spicy curry soup, pork wonton soup, and so many more. You even get to choose between 6 types of noodles for your soup?! Incredible.
Via Sourdough & Co.
(Multiple Locations)
Sourdough & Co. is a straight-forward, no-frills, sandwich + a side of soup NorCal staple. What more do you need, anyway? They've got a solid selection of soups from tomato to potato to chicken + poblano, with a bread bowl to match.
Via Sol Food
(401 Miller Ave // Mill Valley + 903 Lincoln Ave // San Rafael)
Authentic Puerto Rican soups for days. Sol Food has you covered with caldo de pollo y fideos (chicken noodle), Caldo Gallego (Galician-styleboth, ham, potatoes, greens), and sopa de lentejas (lentil, pumpkin, plantains), and more! Love to see it.
Written by Alida Newson
