China Jade Restaurant
Why we love it: Since 1985, this tasty, no-frills Chinese family restaurant has been cooking up Cantonese-, Sichuan- and Hunan-style dishes with plenty of authentic flavor. Try this: Grab a pint of ​hot and sour soup ($4), a slightly spicy, slightly sweet flavorful combination of tofu, pork, bamboo shoot, dried mushrooms and lily flower, and cozy up on the couch. 2190 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, 216-749-4720, chinajadecleveland.com
(Courtesy Cleveland Chop)
Cleveland Chop
Why we love it: Book a table at this vibrant Downtown steakhouse specializing in chops, burgers and sea fare in a welcoming space with a warm ambiance showcasing industrial elements like exposed brick and beams in the heart of the action. Try this: What’s a steakhouse without a fabulous traditional crab bisque ($8) prepared with tarragon cream? Sink your spoon into this classic. 824 W. St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-2467, clevelandchop.com
(Photo courtesy Laura Cavey)
Cool Beans Cafe
Why we love it: Overlooking historic Medina Square, this intimate coffee shop is home to a menu of baked goods, wraps, salads, paninis, soups and a full espresso menu. “The location is phenomenal to anyone who is downtown checking out Medina Square,” says owner Laura Cavey. “When it gets cold, everyone wants soup.” What sets this spot apart is the cooking school inside that hosts different classes throughout the year — and the soup flight ($10), she says. Try this: “Our tomato basil bisque ($4.99) is our signature soup that’s so popular every single day of the year, including summer,” says Cavey. The cafe is known for its creamy rendition with roasted tomatoes and fresh basil. 103 W. Liberty St., Medina, 330-723-7174, coolbeansmedina.com
* Editor's note: Corky & Lenny's announced on Dec. 12 that it would be closing until further notice.*
Corky & Lenny’s
Why we love it: Iconic Corky & Lenny’s is the classic Jewish deli from your dreams, serving up oversized sandwiches, a variety of baked goods and bowls of warm soups for more than 60 years. Try this: You can’t miss the Mish Mash matzoh ball, noodles and rice soup ($5.95 a pint/$10.95 a quart), perfect for a comforting night in. 27091 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere, 216-464-3838, corkyandlennys.com
Related: Cleveland's 25 Best Italian Food Spots
Corner 11 Bowl & Wrap
Why we love it: Corner 11 Bowl & Wrap serves ramen, poke bowls and other Asian fusion food, in an inviting, casual setting. Try a strawberry or original Japanese soda and grab a seat by a window. Try this: Warm up with wonton soup ($8) made with pork and shrimp dumpling served with bok choy and onion in a clear broth. 2391 W. 11th St., Cleveland, 216-713-1757, corner11cleveland.com
EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute
Why we love it: At first glance you may just see a nice French restaurant, before learning the business gives back the community by training and employing formerly incarcerated adults in the culinary and hospitality industries. Here, dishes are crafted the long way with the right ingredients. “Everything here is about time and patience and tradition. There’s noting that can rush that,” says Brandon Chrostowski, president of Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute. Try this: Edwins and Edwins Too, its sister restaurant, whip up a rotating selection of fresh soups. The lobster bisque ($12) is crafted with a slow extraction of flavors over the course of three to four hours, says Chrostowski. “Our soup has a soul to it. It has a tradition.”13101 Shaker Square, Cleveland, 216-921-3333, edwinsrestaurant.org
George’s Kitchen
Why we love it: It doesn't get much more classic than this old-fashioned Cleveland diner. Grab a comforting meal from this longstanding (1980) spot that fills your belly without emptying your wallet. Locals love the large plates. Come for the burgers, clubs and homestyle American dishes. Try this: Don’t miss the housemade chicken noodle soup ($2.25 cup). 13101 Triskett Road, Cleveland, 216-671-0430, facebook.com/georgeskitchen2020
(Courtesy Heck's Cafe)
Heck’s Cafe
Why we love it: For many diners at Heck's Cafe's three locations, the soup is the main event, not a side dish. “The soup du jour comes from the inspiration of the chef each morning," says owner Fadi Daoud; it’s created from “whatever fresh ingredients they have that day.” Try this: “The French onion ($7) is a staple, and the recipe has been the same for decades now,” says Daoud. “It’s one of the best things we make, I think.” The recipe uses both sweet and red onions, slowly cooked after caramelizing, along with garlic, herbs, beef stock and a bit of Guinness, finished with French baguette and melted cheese. Various locations, heckscafe.com
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Why we love it: Known for its quintessentially Cleveland beer and comforting American bar fare like Bavarian pretzels ($12) and veggie pierogi ($14), the low-key Ohio City brewpub is home to delicious soups in a lively space. Try this: Stilton cheddar soup ($6 cup) is a customer favorite that combines magic ingredient Dortmunder Gold lager, Stilton blue cheese and cheddar for a cozy meal or side. 2516 Market Ave., Cleveland, 440-771-4404, greatlakesbrewing.com
(Courtesy Herb'n Twine)
Herb’n Twine
Why we love it: Grab a sammy and soup to go at this busy designer sandwich shop known for creative twists on massive sandwiches made with fresh daily house-baked bread. Try this: Herbed blue cheese croutons give this tomato bisque ($4) a unique twist that you shouldn’t sleep on. 4309 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-465-9600, herbntwine.com
L’Albatros Brasserie + Bar
Why we love it: Escape to an old carriage house transformed into an elevated French brasserie near world-class museums on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. Explore a menu of cheese, wine and flavors of France. Try this: Begin your night out with delicate split pea soup ($9). “We start with smoked ham hocks, carrots, celery and onion, and make the broth for about five hours,” says chef Jeff Thomas. The smoky, creamy, sweet-and-sour finish stands out in this dish that includes smoked pork loin in the bottom of the bowl, garnished with parmesan, fresh cut chives and fennel gastrique. 11401 Bellflower Road, Cleveland, 216-791-7880, albatrosbrasserie.com
Le Petit Triangle Cafe
Why we love it: Grab a friend to meet at this eclectic Parisian extension of your living room for an espresso, pastry or savory soup for breakfast or lunch in Ohio City. Make a night of it with French delicacies served on a tablecloth with a bottle of wine. Try this: It doesn’t get any more authentic than the specialty: vegan-based three onion soup ($7), topped with a cheesy toasted crouton. 1881 Fulton Ave., Cleveland, 216-281-1881, lepetittriangle.com
(Photo by Abigail Archer, Cleveland Magazine)
Luna Bakery & Cafe
Why we love it: Pastry chef Bridget Thibeault has built a welcoming from-scratch cafe with locations Downtown, in Cleveland Heights and in Moreland Hills. Spend an afternoon in one of the relaxing cafes, and choose from a menu of paninis, crepes, salads, from-scratch vegan and gluten-free soups, sweet treats and espresso. Try this: Start with a hearty bowl of corn chowder crafted with golden potatoes, corn and other vegetables, with multigrain bread ($7). The potatoes give this soup a thicker base, with the flavors of garlic, cayenne and thyme coming through. Various locations, 216-279-9988, lunabakerycafe.com
(Courtesy Mason's Creamery)
Mason’s Creamery
Why we love it: If you’re in the know in The Land, you’re keenly aware that a small batch ice cream shop in Ohio City undergoes a yearly fall transformation into the tastiest ramen shop around. Owners Jesse Mason and Helen Qin hailed from Los Angeles 10 years ago before working trial-and-error style to finalize the best recipes for their scratch-made chicken, pork (tonkotsu) and vegetarian broth bases. Soy-marinated eggs are also popular (soft boiled egg with mirin soy sauce and garlic), says Mason. Try this: “What makes ours stand out is really the time that goes into it,” says Mason. The hearty tonkotsu ($16) with char-siu pork, veggies, seaweed and a soft-boiled egg boils for more than 24 hours. “Time is the best ingredient when it comes to soup.” This season the shop will offer flavor-enhancing add-ons for soup bases, and new enclosed seating on the patio. 4401 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, 216-762-1095, masonscreamery.com
Melt Bar and Grilled
Why we love it: For nostalgic decor (think Halloween blow mold lights, record cover menus and other kitsch), gourmet grilled cheese, a wide beer selection and savory homemade signature soups, stop by one of the many regional Melt locations. After getting its start in Lakewood, the well-known cheese giant continues to craft up wonderful French onion soup and four-bean vegetarian chili. Try this: Follow the sacred ritual — dip your gooey grilled cheese into your soup of choice. We love the hearty and spicy four bean vegetarian chili ($5.50 cup) topped with cheddar, sour cream and scallions. Various locations, meltbarandgrilled.com
Paris Room
Why we love it: A quaint dining room in idyllic downtown Chagrin Falls transports hungry Clevelanders to a Parisian retreat, complete with an authentic French menu, and the ambiance of a colorful, modern French bistro with comfort food, craft cocktails and live jazz music. Try this: While you’re already in a small-town Hallmark movie complete with a beautiful waterfall, warm up with traditional flavorful French onion soup au gratin ($8.50), a guest favorite, made by local partner Trifles Catering, a fellow Chagrin Falls business for more than 40 years. 7 N. Franklin St., Chagrin Falls, 440-247-0444, parisroombistro.com
Pier W
Why we love it: Featuring a panoramic view of Lake Erie — plus the Cleveland skyline — the longtime upscale ship-inspired fresh sea and land fare dining spot is ideal for celebrating. Stop by for Sunday brunch buffets fit for a king, and legendary happy hours. Try this: Indulge in Pier W’s Famous Bouillabaisse ($44) in a saffron seafood broth, with Mediterranean bass, pacific snapper and Lake Erie walleye lobster tail, clams, fennel, toasted crostini and saffron aioli. 12700 Lake Ave., Lakewood, 216-228-2250, pierw.com
Souper Market
Why we love it: With five casual locations across Cleveland and the West Side, Souper Market is your basic soup shop with seasonally changing savory soups, salads and grilled cheese. Guests can also buy the take-home stock for recipes. Try this: Taste the famous top-selling hearty chicken paprikash soup (12 oz. for $6), featuring classic Eastern European flavor, complete with a chunk of bread. Various locations, thesoupermarket.com
Superior Pho
Why we love it: There's big demand in Cleveland for authentic pho from this hidden AsiaTown gem. The hot brothy comfort food is a top pick at the family-owned Vietnamese restaurant that’s earned many accolades including Cleveland Magazine’s Silver Spoon award for best Vietnamese/Cambodian food (2019 and 2022). Try this: A meal in itself, the hearty pho rice-noodle soup is crafted from a long running family recipe made with broth that’s simmered all day. Order up a small pho ga ($11.95): authentic noodle soup with chicken. 3030 Superior Ave., Cleveland, 216-781-7462, superiorpho.com
Susy’s Soup & Deli
Why we love it: For 23 years and counting, this award-winning soup joint with two Cleveland locations, in Reserve Square and at Tower City, offers up sandwiches, wraps, salads, breakfast and other unique options. Try this: Eat your tacos with a spoon with this cheesy, creamy and mildly spicy chicken tortilla soup ($5.29 for a cup), lovingly prepared in-house with chicken, green peppers, corn, jalapeno, onion, cream, cheese, milk, garlic, hot sauce and a special blend of seasonings, served with a choice of bread, roll, crackers or tortilla chips. Various locations, 216-600-9940, susyssoup.com
(Courtesy Thai Thai)
Thai Thai
Why we love it: Discover authentic Bangkok-style Thai street food at an unassuming, seven-year-old storefront in Lakewood. Complete with curry, stir fried noodles, fried rice, spring rolls and other delights made from family recipes, the soups sell out daily at this hotspot. “It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter, people will come and get our soup,” says owner Kiwi Wongpeng. Check Instagram for updates on monthly over-the-top, colorfully decorated bubble tea specials (with titles like "unicorn," for example). Try this: “Our roasted duck noodles soup ($13.95) stands out,” Wongpeng, says. With bean sprouts, fresh cilantro and roasted garlic, the fresh vegetables bring out the broth's flavor and a bit of sweetness. 13415 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-226-4890, thaithailakewood.com
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