Discover cozy and comforting soups from around the USA, each with a unique regional flavor and history.

When the winter chills set in, there’s nothing like a bowl of warm soup to cozy up with. Across the United States, different regions have their own delicious and unique soups, each one a tasty reflection of local flavors and traditions. Whether you’re looking to try making these soups at home or visiting a famous spot to taste them, these comforting dishes are perfect for warming up on a cold day.

Northeast: New England Clam Chowder

This creamy soup is made with fresh clams, potatoes, and onions. It’s perfect for a cold winter day by the sea and is sometimes even served in a bread bowl (which you can eat up after the soup is done)!

Source: thekitchn.com

Fun fact: Just like in sports, the rivalry between Boston and New York runs strong—even when it comes to clam chowder! New Englanders take pride in their creamy version, while New Yorkers prefer what they call "Manhattan Clam Chowder"—a tomato-based version of the soup.

Make it: Recipe for New England Clam Chowder

Order it: Here are the top places to try New England Clam Chowder around the Northeast.

• Union Oyster House, Boston, Massachusetts

• The Black Pearl, Newport, Rhode Island

• Legal Sea Foods, locations across New England

Southeast: Chicken and Dumplings

A Southern favorite, this comforting dish has chicken in a savory broth with fluffy dumplings. It’s perfect for warming up on a cold day and is known for its rich flavors and heartiness.

Source: marthastewart.com

Fun fact: Chicken and Dumplings was once considered a simple, budget-friendly dish in the South, made with only a few ingredients during tough economic times. Today, it’s a beloved classic, and every Southern family has its own version of the recipe.

Make it: Recipe for Chicken and Dumplings

Order it: Here are the top places to try Chicken and Dumplings around the Southeast.

• Mary Mac’s Tea Room, Atlanta, Georgia

• Loveless Café, Nashville, Tennessee

• Magnolia’s, Charleston, South Carolina

Midwest: Classic Beef Chili

In the Midwest, people stay warm with thick and hearty chili made from ground beef, tomatoes, beans, and spices. This soup is often served with cornbread and lots of cheddar cheese melted on top.

Source: thespruceeats.com

Fun fact: In Cincinnati, Ohio, chili is served in a unique way! “Cincinnati chili” is put over spaghetti and topped with shredded cheese, onions, and sometimes beans. People from around the country visit to try it!

Make it: Recipe for Classic Beef Chili

Order it: Here are the top places to try Classic Beef Chili around the Midwest.

• Skyline Chili, Cincinnati, Ohio

• Blue Door Pub, St. Paul, Minnesota

• Hawkeye’s Bar and Grill, Chicago, Illinois

Southwest: Taco Soup

This flavorful soup is made with meat, beans, corn, and spices like cumin and chili powder. It’s perfect for warming up after a day in the desert and is usually topped with cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips.

Source: slenderkitchen.com

Fun fact: Taco Soup is very customizable! Like with tacos themselves, people in the Southwest add their own favorite toppings, like hot sauce, guacamole, red onion, a squeeze of fresh lime, and scallions. Taco Soup is also sometimes referred to as Tortilla Soup.

Make it: Recipe for Taco Soup

Order it: Here are the top places to try Taco Soup around the Southwest.

• Torchy’s Tacos, locations across Texas

• Barrio Cafe, Phoenix, Arizona

• Cocina Azul, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Pacific Northwest: Wild Mushroom Soup

This rich soup is made with a mix of wild mushrooms, offering deep flavors. It’s perfect for grey and rainy days, and many of the mushrooms are found locally in the forests of the area.

Source: simplyrecipes.com

Fun fact: The Pacific Northwest has many types of wild mushrooms! Mushroom hunting, also known as “foraging,” is a popular activity here, with locals gathering mushrooms such as chanterelles, porcinis, and morels for soups and other dishes.

Make it: Recipe for Wild Mushroom Soup

Order it: Here are the top places to try Wild Mushroom Soup around the Pacific Northwest.

• The Herbfarm, Woodinville, Washington

• Von’s 1000Spirits, Seattle, WA

• Milo’s City Cafe, Portland, OR

Curious to know where you can dive into American culture and savor these local dishes firsthand? Discover our au pair destinations.