Next time you’re in the mood for some soup, chowder, stew, pho, or any variation of the sort, visit any of these restaurants and find out where some of Austin’s best soups are waiting for you.
Clark’s Oyster Bar
4.5 ★
Upscale, trendy, and known for a bowl of Boston style clam chowder that will knock your socks off, Clark’s Oyster bar had to start out this particular list. Not only does Clark’s Oyster Bar’s clam chowder warm you right up on a cold day, their entire seafood selection seems to be the talk of the town. Fresh tasting and prepared with the utmost consideration, Clark’s Oyster Bar is the kind of establishment that considers every step of your dining experience and the effort shows. From the second you’re seated, the employees at Clark’s Oyster Bar fill the room with positivity and a thorough understanding of their menu. Keep your eyes peeled for the yellow and white striped awnings on 6th St from 11 am – 10 pm every day that they are open, which is every day of the week. Pair your clam chowder with an order of scallops to find out what perfectly cooked seafood can taste like. Clark’s Oyster Bar is where you come in to get rid of a chill, you keep coming back to try as much of the menu as you can.
Burro Cheese Kitchen
4.1 ★
Long time grilled cheese lovers know that the only way to truly enjoy any meal is by sticking to the classics. Grilled cheese and tomato soup is the tale as old as time, simple in a general sense but able to be altered to turn what might feel like a low maintenance meal into something that deserves a spot on all five star menus. When you need the right sandwich to dip into a bowl of creamy tomato basil soup, Burro Cheese Kitchen offers a number of artisan style grilled cheese choices with toppings like smoked ham and gouda or mac n cheese. Yes, they decided to turn mac n cheese into a whole grilled cheese sandwich. Along with the oddball approach to the grilled cheese, they manage to upgrade the classic PB&J sandwich by offering a grilled version. The young at heart will appreciate the modern twist on a throwback meal at Burro Cheese Kitchen on Rainey St anytime Wednesday through Sunday. Perfect for dinner or a late night afterparty meal, they open at 6 pm and remain open late especially on the weekends.
Mongers
4.5 ★
Known by many for featuring some of Austin’s freshest seafood available, Mongers is an upscale dining experience that includes a seafood chowder and shrimp gumbo that will blow your taste buds away even on a hot day. Locally sourced ingredients that change according to the seasons are what makes Mongers stand out in most crowds. Don’t let the atmosphere fool you, the folks at Mongers invite everyone to come in from the three piece suits to short sleeved shirts. No real dress code is enforced here but from the second you take one slurp of that shrimp gumbo or seafood chowder, you might feel as if you have been transported to a fancy bistro in the big city. Mongers is the kind of restaurant that main characters like to eat at, as every experience feels as though it has been catered to your group specifically. Closed on Sunday and Monday, you can visit Mongers on Guadalupe St from 11:30 am – 9:30 pm on their regular days. Don’t hesitate to take a look at their market selection as well. As we mentioned before, Mongers is reputed to have an array of fresh seafood that tastes like they plucked it right out of the sea that same day.
1618 Asian Fusion
4.7 ★
Bold, exciting, fun, 1618 Asian Fusion is the product of inspiration pulled from Asia’s incredibly diverse culinary traditions. This locally owned and family operated restaurant offers a taste of food from Vietnam, China, Singapore, and Thailand, including wonton soup and yum yum soup that packs a flavor-filled punch. Located inside of the AMLI South Shore Building on Riverside Drive, 1618 Asian Fusion is an upscale restaurant with casual vibes and affordable prices. Take a seat inside their lovely dining room or if the weather permits, sit on their patio and take a trip through all of Asia with your taste buds. 1618 Asian Fusion is open every day from 10 am – 9:30 pm with an expansive menu and a group of employees who can’t wait to give you a solid experience. They pride themselves on being the “best” Asian food in Austin so try it out for yourself.
Salt Traders Coastal Cooking
4.6 ★
Inspired by coastal traveling from any ocean the owners could dip their toes into, Salt Traders Coastal Cooking is proud to share what they have built based on their favorite seaside meals tasted throughout their adventures. Sustainably sourced seafood makes for flavors that taste as though the fisherman just caught everything on your plate the same day. Dive right in to their clam “chowda” with leeks and bacon or the seafood gumbo with okra. Located on Mopac Expy, you can sit with Salt Traders Coastal Cooking from 11 am – 9 pm any day of the week. They know that good food knows no schedule so you can always count on them to be happy to see you for lunch or dinner next time you want to experience ocean based culinary culture from more than one coast.
Vinaigrette
4.5 ★
Gourmet salads that you get to dress up exactly the way you want it is what keeps people visiting Vinaigrette on College Ave but today we want to tell you about their soups. After you pick out the salad that suits every specific culinary need, grab a bowl of mushroom stew, cajun gumbo or the soup of the day. Vinaigrette in Austin is the third version of this restaurant, making a home in this town after establishing a location in Santa Fe and another in Albuquerque. Taking pride in creating soul food menu options that are also healthy, Vinaigrette is on a mission to let everyone know how tasty being body conscious can be and their soup is a fraction of the flavor they have on their menu. Any day you’re in the mood to eat some healthy food, Vinaigrette is open from 11 am – 9 pm ready to make your body wellness journey taste better than ever.
Texas Honey Ham Company
4.7 ★
Have you ever heard of hambone soup? Well the Texas Honey Ham Company is about to be the place where you learn all about it, if you haven’t already. For nearly twenty years, this local restaurant has been one of those stops you make when you want a meal that satisfies your hunger and then some. Find the Texas Honey Ham company on Bee Cave Rd and take some time reading through their menu and say hello to the owner’s kids if you happen to see them working while you’re there. Whether you’re ordering the hambone or tomato soup, the Texas Honey Ham company has all of your classic southern favorites from baked beans to pulled pork to pair with it. Except for when they close a few hours early on the weekends, the Texas Honey Ham Company is open daily from 7 am – 4 pm throughout the week. Though the hambone soup makes lunch or early dinner even better, don’t sleep on the possibility of this restaurant for breakfast as well. Early morning tacos have been one of the restaurant’s most popular qualities over the years.
Julio’s Cafe
4.5 ★
For nearly fifty years now, Julio’s Cafe has always known that the solution to any problem in life is a big batch of homemade chicken noodle soup. Drive over to Duval St and keep your eyes peeled for the large blue and red building, there’s no missing it. Julio’s Cafe hosts a menu full of Mexican favorites for any meal you’re wanting that day from 8:30 am – 9 pm (close at 2 pm on Sundays) every day of the week. Since 1983, the house specials have been feeding Austin’s locals and visitors with everything from breakfast tacos to their famous roasted chicken. To really experience this eatery in all of its glory, sit outside on the patio with a large margarita if the weather permits. Cold drinks, hot soups, a menu that has something for any time of the day, there is no confusion as to why Julio’s Cafe has remained so popular even after all these years.
Newk’s Eatery
4.4 ★
Small but mighty, Chen’s Noodle House is one of those restaurants in Austin that locals love to visit at least a few times a month. When you want a wide array of Asian style soups from won ton to black bean noodle, Chen’s Noodle House has got you covered with plenty of affordable options. At this humble restaurant, they believe that sharing a meal with those you love is one of the world’s oldest traditions and they go out of their way to make your experience a pleasant one. Find this establishment next time you want a wide variety of broth based meals to pick from on Spicewood Springs Rd right next to Card Traders of Austin. Closed only on Tuesdays, Chen’s Noodle House is ready to serve you for lunch or dinner from 11 am – 9 am every other day.
Chen’s Noodle House
4.4 ★
Small but mighty, Chen’s Noodle House is one of those restaurants in Austin that locals love to visit at least a few times a month. When you want a wide array of Asian style soups from won ton to black bean noodle, Chen’s Noodle House has got you covered with plenty of affordable options. At this humble restaurant, they believe that sharing a meal with those you love is one of the world’s oldest traditions and they go out of their way to make your experience a pleasant one. Find this establishment next time you want a wide variety of broth based meals to pick from on Spicewood Springs Rd right next to Card Traders of Austin. Closed only on Tuesdays, Chen’s Noodle House is ready to serve you for lunch or dinner from 11 am – 9 am every other day.
CONCLUSION
There you have it! Austin is the kind of town that has more than enough options in the realm of food cravings. No matter what kind of soup you’ve been thinking about this winter, chances are that you can find a restaurant nearby that has a specialty version of it. Keep coming back to The Austin Insider to learn more about where to spend your time in this great place. From food and drinks to entertainment and more, The Austin Insider is on a mission to give you all the information you need for a great trip.