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January is National Soup Month, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by sampling some of the best soups across Arkansas. From creamy classics to spicy stews, restaurants across Arkansas are ladling out a variety of comforting bowls perfect for the chilly season. Check out these local concoctions that will warm your soul and satisfy your appetite this winter.
Wild Sweet William’s Bakery – Searcy
Wild Sweet William’s may be known for their exceptional pastries, but their soups are just as memorable. They offer a rotating weekly soup that changes with the season and the mood of the kitchen. You might find classics like chicken noodle and creamy tomato basil or something more unique like mushroom and cream or pumpkin curry. Pair their soup with their housemade breads, focaccia or add a fresh salad or half sandwich to make it a full meal.
Café Bossa Nova – Little Rock
This Little Rock favorite is best known for a rich, comforting chicken soup with hearts of palm. Cafe Bossa Nova’s unique soup is filling without being heavy and has earned a loyal following over the years. It’s one of those soups people crave when the weather turns cold.
Hugo’s – Fayetteville
Beer cheese soup at Hugo’s is practically a rite of passage in Northwest Arkansas. Creamy, indulgent and deeply comforting, it pairs perfectly with the cozy, basement-style atmosphere that has kept this place beloved for decades. It’s only available from September through March, so grab a bowl while it’s hot.
SO Restaurant–Bar – Little Rock
French onion soup is a classic and a fan favorite, but few restaurants include it on their menus. SO Restaurant does and does it well. The onions are slow-cooked until deeply caramelized, the broth is rich and savory, and the cheese is properly melted and bubbly on top.
Rogue’s Manor – Eureka Springs
If you enjoy soup and fine dining, you’ll love starting off your meal at Rogue’s Manor with their famous curried seafood chowder. It’s loaded with warming spices and generous amounts of seafood, making it feel more like a special-occasion dish than a simple starter.
Fayrays – El Dorado
Fayrays roasted red pepper soup is smooth, rich, and simple in the best way. It’s the kind of soup that doesn’t need much explanation. One spoonful tells you why people keep ordering it. They also rotate other soups through their menu, so you’ll always find something that strikes your fancy.
Stoby’s – Conway
White cheddar dill soup may sound unusual, but this Stoby’s creation has a devoted following. It’s creamy, savory, and just different enough to stand out from typical cheese soups. They usually have six or seven different soups available, and all pair beautifully with their selections of sandwiches, pitas, wraps and salads.
Thai Kitchen – Bentonville
Topping my personal list of favorites, Thai Kitchen’s Tom Kha soup is light yet comforting, with coconut milk, citrus and gentle heat. It’s the kind of soup that you think about driving four hours across the state for.
Monte Ne Inn – Near Rogers
Monte Ne Inn is known for its fried chicken, but starting your meal with a bowl of their famous bean soup is a must. It’s humble, deeply satisfying and a quintessential part of the Monte Ne Inn experience.
Sweet Treats – Lamar
Sweet Treats has a rotating soup of the week. All are tasty, but you don’t want to miss the broccoli cheese soup when it’s on rotation. It is unapologetically rich and comforting, and it’s thick and cheesy. It’s the kind of soup that’s a meal in itself.
Baja Grill – Little Rock
Baja Grill does just about everything right, but their smoked chicken tortilla soup stands out because the chicken is actually smoked, adding a depth of flavor you don’t usually find in this style of soup. It’s bold, flavorful, and satisfying enough to make you want to order it again.
Two Sisters Café – Sherwood
Two Sisters Cafe’s tomato basil soup is thick and hearty. It’s almost always available in their take-n-bake fridge, so it’s easy to pick up a container to bring home and serve with grilled cheese sandwiches.
Roma Italian Restaurant – Ozark
Roma Italian Restaurant’s minestrone soup is one your Nonna would be proud of. It’s packed with vegetables and hearty enough to satisfy without feeling heavy. You can’t go wrong with the minestrone, but the Pasta Fagioli and tomato basil soups are also good choices.
Crepes Paulette – Bentonville
We know you like their crepes, but have you tried the soup at Crepes Paulette? These sipable soups come in coffee cups, complete with sleeves to protect your hand from the heat. They’re smooth and nourishing and perfect for cold days. Madaline’s Gold and the Curried Carrot are my go-tos, but I always get the Creamy Mushroom when it makes an appearance on the menu.
Soups to Make at Home
Monday night is soup night in our house, and every week I make a big batch of soup to enjoy for dinner. The leftovers make easy lunch meals for the rest of the week. It’s frugal and delicious. Check out these soup recipes from “What’s Cookin’ at First Security Vol. 2.”
Comforting Taco Soup
French Onion Soup
Cozy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Tomato Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup
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