Winter may be soup season everywhere else, but a generally mild Georgia climate doesn’t stop ATLiens from embracing a great bowl year-round. And, on the occasional cold night, there’s nothing better than reaching for something extra warming. From matzoh ball and pho to tom kha and pozole, Atlanta’s soup scene proves there’s a bowl for every craving, no matter the forecast.
Here are bowls worth slurping your way through right now.
The General Muir
Inspired by classic Jewish delis, the General Muir brings a little bit of New York City to Emory Point with its subway-chic tiles and housemade bagels. Black-and-white photos of the owner’s ancestors line the walls in homage to the traditions of preceding generations—fitting, given that TGM’s famed matzoh ball soup takes inspiration from a recipe of chef Todd Ginsberg’s mother. The tender matzoh floats in a well-seasoned broth laden with carrot chunks. 1540 Avenue Pl., B-230, Atlanta, thegeneralmuir.com
La Fonda Latina
Fresh cabbage and radish toppings add crunch to La Fonda’s pozole. Though not on the menu daily, you can’t miss it when it’s offered as a seasonal special. As the sister restaurant to Atlanta fixture Fellini’s Pizza, La Fonda is equally ubiquitous, with five intown locations (four of them adjacent to a Fellini’s, in case you’re craving pizza and Mexican). Multiple locations, lafondaatlanta.com
THE CHASTAIN
THE CHASTAIN holds MICHELIN Green Star status for its commitment to sustainability and cooking locally-sourced ingredients, some of which are harvested from the onsite culinary garden; equally deserving of its own award is the French onion soup, made with slow-cooked onions and gruyere. Dining here feels like being on a weekend cabin retreat—possibly the most picturesque restaurant on this list, you’ll enjoy your soup surrounded by lush Chastain Park. 4320 Powers Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta, thechastainatl.com
The Steamhouse Lounge
The Steamhouse Lounge has called both Buckhead and Midtown home in its lifetime, and great oysters and soup have remained constant no matter where the restaurant was located. Today, they still claim to serve Atlanta’s best lobster bisque. The restaurant also provides a guide to heating it up if ordering to-go. 1051 W. Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, steamhouselounge.com
Souper Jenny
Atlanta is rarely that cold, but some nights still call for something warm. Local chain Souper Jenny’s offers six hot soups a day in the fall and winter, one of the most popular among them a hearty turkey chili loaded with peppers and different types of beans. Spring and summer bring chilled options and more salads to the menu, updated daily across five metro Atlanta locations. Multiple locations, souperjennyatl.com
Pho Dai Loi
We’re recommending the OG Pho Dai Loi in Forest Park, but if you’re further north, Pho Dai Loi #2 and #3 sit on Buford Highway and in Duluth, respectively, making it easy to get pho no matter where in the metro you are. Atlanta’s best photo features a light, slightly sweet broth and golden noodle-to-meat ratio. Grab a jackfruit smoothie for dessert on your way out. 4061 Jonesboro Rd., Forest Park, phodailoi.com
Breadwinner
Though Geoff and Katie Melkonian’s aptly-named cafe was originally best known for its breads, its homemade soups aren’t to be missed, either. The ever-popular creamy plum tomato basil bisque pairs well with a cafe sandwich, and it’s gluten-free and vegetarian. Check out Breadwinner’s second location in Dunwoody. 220 Sandy Springs Cir., Sandy Springs, breadwinnercafe.com
Taste of Greece
In the heart of Midtown, just steps from the Fox Theatre, Taste of Greece cooks up an excellent avgolemono soup made with a lemon-egg sauce and broth that’s perfectly silky, but never too heavy. It’s the hidden gem on a menu full of other favorites like gyros and Greek burgers. 715 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta
DUBU GONGBANG
Freshly curdled, extra soft tofu that hasn’t been strained and pressed forms the base for this Duluth restaurant’s signature soon dubu jjigae stew. The restaurant starts prepping the fresh dubu every morning at 7 a.m. with organic, non-GMO soybeans. Enjoy it with seafood or as a combo meal with grilled mackerel, marinated short ribs, or pork BBQ. 2180 Pleasant Hill Rd., Unit D, Duluth, dubugongbang.co
Little Bangkok
Little Bangkok’s location on Cheshire Bridge keeps a low profile. The sign reading “THAI CUISINE” in simple block letters is bigger than the sign that actually says “Little Bangkok”, but no flashy marketing is needed to promote the menu. Every Thai specialty is great; we come, though, for the comfortingly creamy tom kha that balances sweet coconut with sour citrus flavor. 2225 Cheshire Bridge Rd. NE, Atlanta, littlebangkokatlanta.com
