16 New York Soup Spots That Warm The Soul

When winter winds whip through New York’s concrete canyons, nothing beats a steaming bowl of soup.

From hidden gems in Chinatown to upscale eateries on the Upper East Side, NYC’s soup scene offers comfort in a bowl for every palate and budget.

These 16 spectacular soup spots across the five boroughs and beyond will warm your body and soul during the chilliest months.

1. Hav & Mar’s Seafood Bisque Heaven

Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Chelsea hotspot serves up a seafood bisque that’s pure ocean magic. The creamy concoction balances rich lobster stock with tender chunks of crab and shrimp.

What makes this bisque special? A hint of Ethiopian berbere spice that gives each spoonful unexpected warmth. Pair it with their cornbread for the ultimate comfort meal when Manhattan’s weather turns frightful.

2. Little Myanmar’s Soul-Soothing Mohinga

Tucked away in the East Village, this Burmese gem serves the national dish of Myanmar: mohinga. The fragrant fish noodle soup arrives steaming with rice noodles swimming in a lemongrass-infused broth.

First-timers often become regulars after just one spoonful of this breakfast-turned-anytime comfort food that locals line up for on frosty days.

3. Kitchen Co Ut’s Pho Phenomenon

Chinatown’s Vietnamese treasure serves pho that could cure anything from homesickness to hangovers. Their 24-hour simmered beef broth achieves umami nirvana – rich yet clean, complex yet comforting.

Razor-thin slices of beef cook gently in the steaming liquid right at your table. The fragrant basil, bean sprouts, and lime wedges provided on the side let you customize each bowl.

4. Ivan Ramen’s Triple Garlic Mazemen

Ramen master Ivan Orkin’s Lower East Side shop reimagines Japanese comfort with his Triple Garlic Mazemen.

Unlike soupy ramen, this brothless wonder coats noodles in garlic three ways: roasted, pickled, and fresh oil.

The bowl comes topped with pork belly that melts on your tongue. While technically not soup, this noodle dish belongs on any slurp-worthy list.

5. Brooklyn Diner’s Famous Chicken Soup

Despite its name, this iconic spot sits in Midtown Manhattan, serving what might be the city’s most photographed chicken soup. The massive bowl arrives with a chicken pot pie-style puff pastry hat that towers six inches above the rim.

Beneath this flaky dome hides a golden broth swimming with egg noodles and chunks of roasted chicken. Celebrity sightings are common here, but the real star remains the soup that’s been warming New Yorkers since 1988. Worth every penny of its hefty price tag.

6. Calle 191 Pescaderia’s Seafood Sancocho

Washington Heights locals guard this Dominican secret fiercely.

The seafood sancocho here combines Caribbean tradition with New York abundance – a massive bowl brimming with mussels, shrimp, and chunks of white fish.

Root vegetables like yuca and green plantains thicken the broth naturally. Regulars swear the sancocho cures everything from winter blues to broken hearts, especially when paired with their homemade hot sauce.

7. Mark Chalet’s Truffle Onion Soup

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Upper East Side haven elevates French onion soup to art form status. Their truffle-infused version arrives under a canopy of melted Gruyère that stretches with each spoonful.

Caramelized onions swim in a broth that takes three days to perfect. The clincher? Shaved black truffles that perfume the entire experience.

8. Hello! Bangladesh’s Hearty Paya

This Queens gem serves paya – a slow-simmered goat trotters soup that’s pure comfort.

The collagen-rich broth simmers for 12+ hours until it achieves a silky, almost buttery texture that coats your lips.

Fragrant with ginger, garlic, and garam masala, each bowl comes with naan perfect for sopping up every last drop.

9. The Whistling Kettle’s Apple Cheddar Goodness

Worth the trip to Troy in the Hudson Valley, this charming tea shop serves a locally famous apple cheddar soup that perfectly captures upstate New York in a bowl.

The velvety puree balances sweet local apples with sharp cheddar from nearby farms.

The Victorian building, with its creaky floors and window seats, makes the perfect backdrop for savoring some regional specialties.

10. Tonchin’s Spicy Tan Tan Ramen

Midtown’s sleek Japanese import offers tan tan ramen that will make you forget the sidewalk slush outside.

The crimson broth, loaded with chili oil and sesame paste, delivers a warming heat that builds with each slurp.

Hand-massaged noodles provide the perfect springy texture against tender pork chashu and a soft-boiled egg that oozes golden goodness.

The modern, wood-accented space fills nightly with everyone from solo diners to post-theater crowds. Reserve ahead or prepare to wait for this spicy winter salvation.

11. Ippudo’s Legendary Akamaru Modern

The East Village ramen pioneer still draws lines for their Akamaru Modern – a silky tonkotsu broth that simmers for 18 hours until it reaches creamy perfection.

The secret weapon? A dollop of umami-packed miso paste that melts into the soup.

The sleek, wood-dominated space buzzes with energy and steamy windows. After nearly 15 years in NYC, this Japanese transplant remains the standard against which all local ramen shops are measured.

12. Hello Saigon’s Chicken Pho Perfection

While beef pho gets all the glory, Greenwich Village’s Hello Saigon makes a chicken version that might convert even the most dedicated brisket lovers.

Their crystal-clear broth tastes like liquid sunshine – light yet deeply satisfying.

The tiny spot, with its handful of tables, fills quickly during lunch rush. Smart soup hunters visit during off-hours to savor this lighter alternative to heavy winter fare.