These Restaurants Have The Best Chicken Soup In The U.S. (According To Reviews)

Nothing warms the soul quite like a steaming, fragrant bowl of chicken soup. Over the years, I’ve made it my mission to track down the most comforting, flavor-packed broths across America—always with a spoon in hand and an appetite ready for discovery.

From humble, grandma-inspired family recipes passed down through generations to bold, chef-driven interpretations found in trendy bistros, these bowls of liquid gold have earned their reputation.

With countless five-star reviews and devoted fans who swear by their soothing, even healing, powers, these soups are more than just meals—they’re experiences. Ready for a coast-to-coast chicken soup adventure?

1. Katz’s Delicatessen – New York City

Katz's Delicatessen - New York City
© Secret NYC

My first bite of Katz’s chicken soup transported me straight to chicken soup heaven! This iconic NYC deli has been ladling out their legendary broth since 1888, and boy, does experience count.

The soup features hand-pulled chicken chunks swimming alongside perfectly tender carrots and matzo balls that practically float. What makes it extraordinary is the 12-hour simmering process that extracts every last bit of flavor from the bones.

Regulars insist it’s better than any medicine for curing colds, and I’ve heard tales of folks traveling across boroughs during snowstorms just for a fix. The rich golden color alone tells you this isn’t your average chicken soup!

2. Zuni Café – San Francisco

Zuni Café - San Francisco
© zunicafe.com

Slurping Zuni Café’s roasted chicken soup feels like experiencing a culinary hug! The magic begins with their famous wood-fired roasted chickens, which provide the backbone for this extraordinary broth.

Each spoonful delivers an aromatic punch of fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables harvested from local Bay Area farms. The genius touch? A splash of sherry vinegar that brightens everything without overwhelming.

Whenever fog rolls through San Francisco, locals flock here for comfort in a bowl. I once witnessed a customer nearly tear up after their first taste! The soup changes slightly with the seasons, ensuring no two visits serve exactly the same experience.

3. Matzo Ball Café – Chicago

Matzo Ball Café - Chicago
© The New York Times

Holy matzo balls, Batman! Chicago’s Matzo Ball Café serves chicken soup that would make any Jewish grandmother proud. The first time I visited, the owner actually scolded me for trying to leave without finishing every last drop!

Their signature broth simmers for 24 hours straight, creating a crystal-clear golden elixir that somehow manages to pack more chicken flavor than seems scientifically possible. The matzo balls achieve that mythical perfect texture—fluffy yet substantial, like savory clouds.

Locals swear this soup has magical properties beyond taste. One regular customer claims it cured his 30-year sinus problems! Whether that’s true or not, the line out the door on chilly Chicago days speaks volumes.

4. Pho Hoa – Los Angeles

Pho Hoa - Los Angeles
© Eater LA

Chicken pho might be the Vietnamese cousin to traditional chicken soup, but Pho Hoa’s version deserves a spot on this list! The broth practically sings with notes of star anise, cinnamon, and ginger that dance across your taste buds.

Generous portions of tender chicken accompany rice noodles so silky they slip down your throat. What truly elevates this soup is the accompanying plate of fresh herbs, lime, and bean sprouts that let you customize each bowlful.

I’ve watched countless first-timers transform from skeptics to evangelists after one visit. The restaurant itself isn’t fancy—just plastic chairs and laminated menus—but the constant stream of customers from all walks of LA life proves that flavor trumps frills every time!

5. Soup Kitchen – Boston

Soup Kitchen - Boston
© Domesticate ME

Whoever named this cozy Boston corner spot wasn’t trying to be clever—they just knew their mission. Soup Kitchen’s chicken soup recipe hasn’t changed since 1976, and thank goodness for that!

The secret lies in their use of both stewing hens and roasted chicken bones, creating a broth so rich it coats your spoon. Thick-cut vegetables maintain their integrity even after hours of simmering, providing satisfying texture with each bite.

During a freak April snowstorm, I watched as customers literally hugged their bowls for warmth! The owners keep prices surprisingly reasonable, explaining they believe good soup should be accessible to everyone. Their chicken soup has won Boston’s “Best Of” awards so many times they’ve been permanently retired from the competition.

6. Kenny & Zuke’s Delicatessen – Portland

Kenny & Zuke's Delicatessen - Portland
© www.kennyandziggys.com

Chicken soup with a hipster twist? Kenny & Zuke’s in Portland pulls it off brilliantly! Their “Bubbie’s Chicken Soup” combines old-world techniques with Pacific Northwest ingredients for an unforgettable bowl.

The broth achieves that perfect golden clarity that soup aficionados prize, while free-range chickens from local farms provide exceptional flavor. What really knocked my wool socks off was their hand-made kreplach (Jewish dumplings) filled with caramelized onions and chicken.

Even on Portland’s rainiest days (which is saying something), this soup brightens moods throughout the dining room. I’ve spotted tattoo-covered chefs from other restaurants sneaking in for bowls on their days off—perhaps the highest compliment in this food-obsessed city!

7. Mama’s Soul Food – Atlanta

Mama's Soul Food - Atlanta
© Allrecipes

One spoonful of Mama’s chicken soup had me speaking with a Southern accent! This Atlanta institution serves what they call “Chicken Soup for the Southern Soul,” and honey, they aren’t exaggerating.

The broth strikes that magical balance between rich and clean, while pulled chicken practically melts on your tongue. The genius addition of black-eyed peas and collard greens transforms this into something uniquely Southern without losing the comforting essence of chicken soup.

During my visit, I watched as a regular customer brought in her just-discharged-from-hospital mother for her “medicine.” Mama herself (yes, she’s real!) still supervises the kitchen at 83 years young, ensuring every bowl meets her exacting standards. This soup doesn’t just warm your belly—it hugs your heart!

8. Matzah Ball Soup Factory – Miami

Matzah Ball Soup Factory - Miami
© Kosher Like Me

Miami might be known for its heat, but Matzah Ball Soup Factory proves that good chicken soup knows no climate! The moment I walked in, the aroma nearly knocked me off my flip-flops.

Their signature “Tropical Chicken Soup” incorporates subtle Cuban influences with hints of lime, cilantro, and a touch of saffron that turns the broth sunset-gold. The matzo balls achieve the perfect consistency—what aficionados call “sinkers and floaters” in the same bowl!

The restaurant’s location near several hospitals isn’t coincidental—doctors actually “prescribe” this soup to patients post-discharge! I watched in amazement as the staff prepared special to-go containers designed to keep the soup at perfect temperature for hours. Their dedication to the craft borders on scientific obsession!

9. Grandma’s Kitchen – Seattle

Grandma's Kitchen - Seattle
© Just A Pinch Recipes

Don’t let the generic-sounding name fool you—Grandma’s Kitchen serves chicken soup that’s anything but basic! This Seattle gem combines Pacific Northwest ingredients with traditional techniques for soup that tastes like childhood memories, even if they’re not yours.

The broth achieves that elusive umami-rich flavor that usually requires a culinary degree, while the vegetables maintain perfect texture. Their signature twist? Wild mushrooms foraged from nearby forests that add an earthy complexity you’ll dream about later.

I nearly fell off my chair watching the owner refuse to sell to a customer who admitted they were feeling sick. “Come back tomorrow,” she insisted. “This soup deserves your full taste buds!” That level of soup respect earns my undying loyalty!

10. The Chicken Soup Emporium – New Orleans

The Chicken Soup Emporium - New Orleans
© A Plate of Good Food

Leave it to New Orleans to jazz up chicken soup! The Chicken Soup Emporium serves what they call “Gumbo-Inspired Chicken Soup” that had me doing a happy dance right at the table.

The foundation is traditional chicken soup, but they add holy trinity (bell peppers, onions, celery), okra, and a hint of filé powder for a NOLA twist. Each spoonful starts familiar then blooms with complex flavors that somehow never overwhelm the comforting chicken essence.

During my visit, a sudden rainstorm had everyone rushing inside, where strangers ended up sharing tables and—no joke—exchanging life stories over their soup! The owner claims their recipe survived Katrina in a waterproof box—the only possession he managed to save. Now that’s soup with a story!