Olivia TaylorI truly believe that nothing comforts more than a bowl of good soup. When I’m having a bad day or feeling under the weather, this is my go-to solution, along with some bread or a flaky pastry – it almost always does the trick.
Due to my love for soup, I looked far and wide in Ottawa in search of the ones good enough to make me forget my name at first slurp. It was awesome to find that Ottawa is not just a city with wonderful attractions, free activities, and cultural hubs, they also have diverse soup options!
So if you’re looking for soups that will warm you up in no time, this list is for you! Read on below for your next soup stop!
Sansotei Ramen
– Media credit: sansoteiramen
Bank Branch:
- Address: 153 Bank St
- Contact Details: +1 613-695-1718
- Opening Hours: Bank: Monday-Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Sunday: Closed
Barrhaven Branch:
- Address: Barrhaven: 106-4335 Strandherd Drive
- Contact details: +1 613-823–3888
- Operating hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 09:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sansotei Ramen has been raved about by my friends, and I didn’t get the hype until I tried it myself. I can attest that the ramen tastes authentic and flavorful.
I learned from their staff that their pork bone broth is prepared fresh daily, showing their level of commitment to bringing the best quality ramen to their customers. I love that they don’t cut corners when it comes to the flavour of the ramen.
They don’t have a wide menu, but what they lack in quantity, they make up for in quality. They have won many awards and have been featured in various magazines since 2013.
| Pro tip: If ever you want more broth (like me), you can order the noodles on the side. |
New Mee Fung
– Media Credit: seizeure_theday
Address: 350 Booth St
Contact details: +1 613-567-8228
Opening hours: Daily (11:00 AM – 08:30 PM)
Whenever I’m sick, I have New Mee Fung on speed dial because their pho is so delicious and comforting, without being too flavorful or overpowering. It just tastes fresh.
Locals know their go-to orders by numbers. So if you want to blend in, check out their menu beforehand.
My personal favourites? 124 (classic pho), and 236 (spicy pho). Feel free to experiment depending on your preference.
| Pro tip: Make sure to follow them on social media so you’ll be updated on their promos! |
Pho Van Van
– Media Credit: melshangrytable
Address: 127 Holland Avenue
Contact details: +1 613-722-1663
Opening hours:
- Monday-Friday: 11:00 AM – 09:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM – 09:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 09:00 PM
If you’re looking for another alternative for the best Vietnamese pho, I also highly recommend Pho Van Van. You can find them downtown.
I love how they’re available for pick-up and delivery, not just dine-in, so it’s very convenient to get your soup fix! They also have chicken-broth soups that I enjoy, especially when I feel under the weather.
They have a menu with over 130 options, so it’s good to bring a big group here. Whether you want seafood, chicken, beef, or pork, you’ll find something here. My other faves are their vermicelli wraps and stir-fried meals.
| Pro tip: Vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options are available upon request. They’re very accommodating. |
Art Is In Bakery
– Media credit: artisinbakery
Address: 250 City Centre Ave. Unit 112
Contact details:+1 613-695-1226
Opening hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: 08:30 AM – 03:00 PM
- Thursday- Saturday: 08:30 AM – 08:30 PM
- Saturday: 09:00 AM – 08:30 PM
- Sunday: 09:00 AM – 02:00 PM
Inspired by both French boulangeries and modern and edgy Brooklyn cafes, Arts in Bakery is a place of class and comfort. I don’t know how they successfully manage to give both vibes simultaneously, but they do.
The moment you enter the restaurant, you already smell how good the food will be. They specialize in hearty soups such as tomato bisque, clam chowder, and mushroom soup. It always comes with a big portion of their freshly baked bread!
| Pro tip: Their menu is ever-changing, so make sure to check it first to make sure they have what you want to order. |
The Green Door
– Media credit: thegreendoorrestaurant
Address: 198 Main St.
Contact details: +1 613-234-9597
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday (11:30 AM – 08:30 PM)
Great news for our vegetarian friends or those on a health kick, The Green Door is an amazing spot for vegetarian and vegan soups. It’s not only good for you, but they’re also so good.
Their soups are always made from scratch with fresh ingredients, and this is something that your taste buds will just know.
If you’re also the type of person who loves variety, you’ll enjoy it here. Sometimes you’ll get spiced squash bisque, other times you’ll have lentil soup or some minestrone—all taste amazing.
They have a rotating buffet menu here, but you may also place online orders. They also offer catering for parties!
| Pro tip: Slots fill up fast. Reservations are crucial for big groups! |
Mad Radish
– Media credit: eatmadradish
Kent & Slater Branch
- Address: 275 Slater Street
- Contact Details: +1 613-421-1356
- Opening Hours: Bank: Monday-Friday 11:00 AM – 04:00 PM; Weekends: Closed
The Glebe Branch
- Address: 859 Bank Street
- Operating hours: Monday-Thursday 11:00 AM – 09:30 PM
- Friday-Saturday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Albert & Metcalfe Branch
- Address: 116 Albert Street
- Opening Hours: Bank: Monday-Friday 11:00 AM – 07:30 PM; Weekends: Closed
Mad Radish is another good vegetarian option if you’re craving soup. They have combo meals with sandwiches and soup; you can choose between Moroccan chicken soup and coconut curry chowder.
They also have excellent salad bowls, burritos, and rice bowls, which are delicious and have generous servings. It’s the perfect spot to drop by when you’re in a hurry. Who says fast food can’t be healthy?
| Pro tip: No time to stop by the store? No problem! You can order online through this link. |
Sammi & Soupe Dumpling
– Media Credit: sammi_soupe_dumpling
Address: 41 York Street
Contact details: +1 343-588-5588
Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday: 11:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Friday-Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
If you love Chinese soups, you’ll be glad to have found Sammi & Soupe Dumpling. Their servings are hearty, and the food tastes comforting and familiar, like it’s homemade.
They’ve been around for almost a decade, making them a local staple. We love the rich broth they use for the dumplings. Their food is bursting with flavour, without being too salty.
Dumplings and soup are already great individually, but together, they’re a match made in heaven!
| Pro tip: If you need to reserve a table for a big group, it’s best if you call. There’s no way to make a reservation online. |
Wei’s Noodle House
– Media Credit: weis_noodle_house
Address: 706 Somerset Street
Contact details: +1 613-230-6815
Opening hours: Daily: 11:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Wei’s Noodle House is a go-to because of its reasonable pricing, varied options, and tasty food.
An Asian fusion restaurant with Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisine, it offers various soups—from Japanese ramen and noodle soups to vegan soups!
Aside from soup, they also offer stir-fried dishes, rice bowls, and appetizers that are delicious. You can wash this all down with the different smoothies, milk tea, and milkshakes they have on their menu.
| Pro tip: You can buy frozen food that you can cook at home here! Dumplings, frozen ramen noodles, spring rolls, and tofu blocks are available. |
Coconut Lagoon
– Media Credit: coconutlagoonottawa
Address: 853 St. Laurent Boulevard
Contact details: +1 613-742-4444
Opening hours: Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays: 11:30 am – 02:00 pm & 04:30 PM – 09:30 pm; Tuesday: Closed
Coconut Lagoon offers South Indian cuisine, specifically from Kerala, which is the chef’s hometown. They offer a chef’s creation soup that changes depending on seasonal produce, and the crowd-favourite, the Mattancherry seafood soup.
It’s a specialty of Kerala, due to its proximity to the sea. Aside from the fantastic soups, Coconut Lagoon also offers an assortment of salads, mains, and even a 7-course tasting menu. The place is perfect for an anniversary date or a formal work dinner.
| Pro tip: You can reserve a private room here for functions! |
Wilf & Ada’s
– Media credit: wilf_ada
Address: 510 Bank Street
Contact details: +1 613-231-7959
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday-Sunday: -8:30 AM – 02:00 PM;
Tuesday: Closed
Wilf and Ada’s is known for comfort food. They make food from scratch with locally-sourced ingredients. We love that they get ingredients from fams and small independent businesses.
Their soup selection changes every day, depending on what ingredients are in season. The recent soup I tasted here had potatoes, leeks, and sage. It was so good, like a hug in a bowl.
One soup I always look forward to here is their tomato soup. Pairing it with grilled cheese tastes like a dream. Another crowd favourite is the Mexican black bean soup.
Aside from good soup, they also serve assorted breakfast options and Western dishes that are worth a try.
| Pro tip: Just a heads up that they have limited seating and don’t take reservations. They also don’t have parking. |
