The holidays are over. You’ve made some vows to yourself to eat better. Maybe you feel like you need a detox from all the festive foods. It’s cold outside and it’s very possible you have a cold after being around extra family and friends at all of your holiday events. Whatever the reason, soup is never the wrong choice in winter. Here’s a list of local spots for great soup in Birmingham!
1. Brick and Tin
Brick and Tin has locations in Downtown Birmingham, Mountain Brook, and soon to be Cahaba Heights! (They also have a location in Huntsville if you ever have a hankering for a warm bowl of soup in North Alabama.) They offer butternut squash soup and mushroom soup, which sound like the types of soup I want after eating at holiday parties for the month of December.
2. Spoon and Ladle Soup
How did I not know about this little soup gem in our city? With a retail location in Pelham, Spoon and Ladle serves “seasonal soup for the soul.” They don’t have a set menu because the soups are seasonal, so their offerings frequently change. Their soup can also be found in many local grocery stores, and it can be delivered to your home. That’s a game changer if you are sick! Same day delivery is even available if orders are placed before 10am Monday-Friday. Check out all of these purchasing options here.
3. Ashley Mac’s Kitchen
The ultimate place in the Birmingham area to grab lunch with your girlfriends or kids, Ashley Mac’s is also a great place to get a bowl of soup when it’s cold out. You can choose from tomato basil, white chicken chili, or creamy chicken noodle. Pair a bowl of soup with some crackers for only $5! (That’s a steal!) You can also buy soup by the quart from the freezers inside each store. Bring it home to feed your family an easy, comforting dinner.
4. El Zun Zun
I have a secret if you want to convince your better half that you can afford a nice meal out. Go to El Zun Zun in the heart of Cahaba Heights, fill up on the chips and salsa (the salsa verde is better than the regular salsa in my opinion), order a margarita, and get a cup or bowl of the Chicken Tortilla Soup as your dinner entrée. It’s delicious and hearty, thanks to the chicken and sliced avocado, but perfectly balanced with the broth and veggies. A cup is plenty of soup after the chips, but go for the bowl if you think you’re going to love it. (You will!) You’ll be out the door in under $20. See, you can be a cheap date!
5. Chez Lulu
Chez Lulu is a French inspired cafe, next door to the Birmingham staple, Continental Bakery. Their signature soup is Peasant Garlic Soup, which boasts the right amount of garlic and a bit of creaminess. It’s vegetarian, if that’s what you are looking for. But, that’s not the only soup they have. A quick glance through their Instagram account and you’ll see they have other seasonal hot soups available. If you decide you are hungry for more than soup, combine it with a salad or sandwich.
6. Saigon Noodle House
If you’d like to branch out a bit with your soup choice, why not check out the pho at Saigon Noodle House off of 280? Considered by many to be the best pho in the city, this soup is not to be missed! You can customize it just how you like with all of the garnishes served with it, but if you’re newer to this cuisine, be sure to go lighter on the fish sauce.
