10 Warming Bowls of Soup to Try in Charleston

Heat it up

by Parker Milner Updated Nov 8, 2019, 11:00am EST

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Rustic Root soup at Jack of Cups

| Leslie Ryann McKellar

by Parker Milner Updated Nov 8, 2019, 11:00am EST

We are closing in on the type of weather made for cozying up with a bowl of soup. The city offers options in the soup department, as the format provides chefs a canvas in which to utilize unused local ingredients from other dishes. Patrons can of course expect She-Crab soup considering its namesake comes from Charleston’s own William Deas, who suggested adding orange roe of the female, or she-crab to the soup. Whether in the mood for this Holy City original or another variety, these are the ten go-to destinations for soup in Charleston.

Goat Sheep Cow North

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Stop by this NoMo wine and cheese shop for a casual lunch with friends over a glass of cab franc and a baguette sandwich. The French onion soup is comfort on a brisk day at its finest, as it arrives piping hot in a ramekin topped with bubbly gruyere cheese and buttery garlic croutons.

804 Meeting St #102, Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 203-3118

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Pink Cactus Charleston

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Oaxacan eatery Pink Cactus recently rolled out a tortilla soup featuring house made tortillas that are pureed and used to thicken the soup. This re-imagined classic is finished with cotija cheese, cilantro, and fresh avocado.

100 A Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 764-9343

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Five Loaves Cafe

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With locations in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and Summerville, Five Loaves has patrons covered with multiple soups from scratch that rotate daily and are often gluten free. Test out riffs on the classics like tomato with tarragon and crab or stick to the standard broccoli with cheddar.

43 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 937-4303

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The Darling Oyster Bar

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The Darling clam chowder is filled with local clams, bacon, and vegetables, but that’s just the start. The eatery gives patrons the opportunity to have the chowder served over a plate of house french fries. Clam chowder French fries — it rolls right off the tongue.

513 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

(843) 641-0821

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Delaney Oyster House

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Many of the dishes at this newcomer are served raw or cold, but chef Shamil Velazquez also offers his take on seafood chowder in the “Not Cold” section of the menu. The soup is filled with chunks of fresh seafood and bacon before it’s finished with a touch of shrimp oil.

115 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401

(843) 594-0099

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Swig & Swine

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Soup at a barbecue restaurant? Swig & Swine’s tomato-based Brunswick stew is filled with the joint’s famed smoked pulled pork, baby lima beans, and sweet corn. Check it out at one of three Charleston area locations.

1217 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407

(843) 225-3805

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Hank's Seafood Restaurant

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This Charleston classic offers their take on the rich she-crab soup — which doesn’t disappoint — along with Hank’s oyster stew. The chowder-style stew is reminiscent of a bacon-laced baked potato soup — just add chunks of fresh oysters.

10 Hayne St, Charleston, SC 29401

(843) 723-3474

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Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar

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This downtown eatery is the place for waterfront views and no-frills seafood. Start the meal with she-crab soup with blue crab roe and sherry before heading for a platter of fried seafood or stuffed hush puppies.

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186 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401

(843) 722-8100

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82 Queen

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The 82 Queen she-crab soup is often said to be the best in Charleston. Executive chef Steve Stone uses crab roe and a full pound of local Lowcountry crab meat, topping the creamy soup with a drizzle of sherry.

82 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401

(843) 723-7591

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Jack of Cups Saloon

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Fall flavors echo throughout the current daily menu at this Folly Beach favorite. For soup, check out the creamy pumpkin curry and coconut soup or the heartier mulligatawny.

34 Center St, Charleston, SC 29412

(843) 633-0042

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