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bowl of orange broth soup Satay Brothers/Facebook

11 Super Soups to Warm Up With in Montreal

Pick up a bowl of pho, laksa, or matzo ball soup to stave off the winter blues

by Eater Staff, Holly Tousignant, and Kaitlyn McInnis Updated
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by Eater Staff, Holly Tousignant, and Kaitlyn McInnis Updated
Satay Brothers/Facebook

A steaming bowl of soup is the culinary equivalent of a warm hug from an old friend — something that is in short supply as gatherings are once more banned in Quebec. Almost everyone loves a good bowl of soup at any time of the year, but when the weather drops below zero, a serving of soup comes as an especially welcome and instant escape.

Whether you’re searching for a stick-to-your-ribs serving of laksa or a tried-and-true bowl of matzo ball soup, these are some of our favourite spots to grab a bowl for takeout in the city. Note that while only one spot for each ramen and pho is included below, this guide and this one come through with more options.

Quebec has temporarily closed indoor dining rooms since December 31, 2021. For updated information and regulations, please visit the official sites of the Quebec government and Montreal’s public health authority (Santé Montréal).

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Rare Beef Pho at Pho Tay Ho

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Arguably offering some of the city’s best pho, Pho Tay Ho’s rare beef option is rich and warming — just as it should be. Place orders for takeout online or by phone and for delivery on Uber Eats.

6414 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2S 2R7, Canada
(514) 273-5627
(514) 273-5627

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M’Berberli Soup at La Khaïma

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When dining rooms are open, chef and owner Atigh Ould, a native of Mauritania, often comes around and ladles M’Berberli soup into diners’ bowls himself. During Quebec’s restaurant shutdown, diners can purchase the blend of softened lentils, ginger, citrus, cumin, and paprika for takeout.

142 Avenue Fairmount O, Montréal, QC H2T 2M5, Canada
(514) 948-9993
(514) 948-9993

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Tonkotsu Ramen at Yokato Yokabai

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Splitting a large, cozy space with izakaya Ichigo Ichie, Yokato Yokabai’s milky, rich ramen is popular with omnivores and vegetarians alike, with both pork-based and vegetarian broths available. Takeout and delivery are available with CHK PLZ.

4185 Rue Drolet, Montréal, QC H2W 2L5, Canada
(514) 282-9991
(514) 282-9991

Matzo Ball Soup at Hof Kelsten

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Jeffrey Finkelstein’s modern Jewish spot has garnered a lot of hype over the past few years, and not without reason. It combines the best pastries that the French and Jewish have to offer, and while it’s officially a bakery, it also offers one of the best matzo ball soups in the city. Buy a one-litre jug on its website. Hof Kelsten reopens after a holiday break on January 10.

4524 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2T 1R4, Canada
(514) 649-7991
(514) 649-7991

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Tom Yum at Mae Sri Comptoir Thai

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Chef Pamika Sukla began shaking up Montreal’s relatively dormant Thai food scene in 2013 with a Plateau restaurant bearing her name. She has since opened two counters (on Milton and St-Denis) specializing in noodles. Mae Sri offers an extensive menu of soups, ranging from Boat Noodle Ayuthaya to braised beef, but Sukla’s take on Thai staple Tom Yum — with shrimp, ground pork and lots of lime — is a standout. Available for takeout or delivery via UberEats.

224 Rue Milton, Montréal, QC H2X 1V6, Canada
(438) 797-8888
(438) 797-8888

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Borscht at Rasputin

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Coming by a bowl of borscht to-go in the city isn’t the easiest of feats, but Décarie restaurant Rasputin is serving the traditional beet soup and a few other slurp-worthy options. Best eaten with a generous dollop of sour cream and a slice or two of crusty bread. Takeout orders can be placed online.

617 Boulevard Décarie, Saint-Laurent, QC H4L 3L2, Canada
(514) 748-4921
(514) 748-4921

Yellow Noodle Soup at Restaurant Phnom Penh

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One of the few places in the city offering authentic yellow dipping noodles, Phnom Penh is a great choice for traditional Cambodian fare. Plus, a heaping bowl won’t cost more than $10.

7153 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, Montréal, QC H3R 2M2, Canada
(514) 739-8214
(514) 739-8214

Soup of the Day at Olive et Gourmando

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Olive + Gourmando's soup of the day may change regularly, but rest assured that it'll be delicious no matter what's available. Past flavours have included apple cheddar, chicken noodle, and tomato chipotle. Order a solo bowl, or get it as a side with an equally tasty sandwich. (Closed until January 8.)

351 Rue Saint-Paul O, Montréal, QC H2Y 2A7, Canada
(514) 350-1083
(514) 350-1083

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Laksa at Satay Brothers

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Singaporean restaurant Satay Brothers ladles up laksa, a spicy, coconut milk-based Southeast Asian soup. It’s hot, hearty, and, with chicken, shrimp, and fish cakes served on top, quite filling — the perfect antidote to Montreal’s frigid winter days. Takeout and delivery with CHK PLZ are available as of January 7.

3721 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1P8, Canada
(514) 933-3507
(514) 933-3507

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Tortilla Soup at Tacos Frida

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While best known for tacos, St-Henri’s Frida does an equally mouthwatering tortilla soup. This traditional Mexican soup has a chicken broth base, is packed with beans and corn tortilla, and rings in at just $4 for a small (or $6 for a large). In the mood for something a little heartier? Frida also does classic Mexican pozole with flair. Available for takeout or delivery. (Tacos Frida is closed until January 19.)

4350 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 2W6, Canada
(514) 316-3255
(514) 316-3255

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Shrimp Gumbo at Bistro Nolah

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Gumbo in Montreal isn’t easy to come by; in fact, it’s virtually nonexistent. But this West Island Cajun haunt has been serving the stew with sausage and copious amounts of shrimps for almost nine years. The DDO strip mall restaurant is a favourite among locals, and the classic New Orleans comfort food is up for grabs as takeout or delivery.

3669 Boul Saint-Jean, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC H9G 1X2, Canada
(514) 696-9797
(514) 696-9797

Also featured in:

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Rare Beef Pho at Pho Tay Ho

6414 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2S 2R7, Canada

Arguably offering some of the city’s best pho, Pho Tay Ho’s rare beef option is rich and warming — just as it should be. Place orders for takeout online or by phone and for delivery on Uber Eats.

6414 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2S 2R7, Canada
(514) 273-5627
(514) 273-5627

M’Berberli Soup at La Khaïma

142 Avenue Fairmount O, Montréal, QC H2T 2M5, Canada

When dining rooms are open, chef and owner Atigh Ould, a native of Mauritania, often comes around and ladles M’Berberli soup into diners’ bowls himself. During Quebec’s restaurant shutdown, diners can purchase the blend of softened lentils, ginger, citrus, cumin, and paprika for takeout.

142 Avenue Fairmount O, Montréal, QC H2T 2M5, Canada
(514) 948-9993
(514) 948-9993

Tonkotsu Ramen at Yokato Yokabai

4185 Rue Drolet, Montréal, QC H2W 2L5, Canada

Splitting a large, cozy space with izakaya Ichigo Ichie, Yokato Yokabai’s milky, rich ramen is popular with omnivores and vegetarians alike, with both pork-based and vegetarian broths available. Takeout and delivery are available with CHK PLZ.

4185 Rue Drolet, Montréal, QC H2W 2L5, Canada
(514) 282-9991
(514) 282-9991

Matzo Ball Soup at Hof Kelsten

4524 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2T 1R4, Canada

Jeffrey Finkelstein’s modern Jewish spot has garnered a lot of hype over the past few years, and not without reason. It combines the best pastries that the French and Jewish have to offer, and while it’s officially a bakery, it also offers one of the best matzo ball soups in the city. Buy a one-litre jug on its website. Hof Kelsten reopens after a holiday break on January 10.

4524 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2T 1R4, Canada
(514) 649-7991
(514) 649-7991

Tom Yum at Mae Sri Comptoir Thai

224 Rue Milton, Montréal, QC H2X 1V6, Canada

Chef Pamika Sukla began shaking up Montreal’s relatively dormant Thai food scene in 2013 with a Plateau restaurant bearing her name. She has since opened two counters (on Milton and St-Denis) specializing in noodles. Mae Sri offers an extensive menu of soups, ranging from Boat Noodle Ayuthaya to braised beef, but Sukla’s take on Thai staple Tom Yum — with shrimp, ground pork and lots of lime — is a standout. Available for takeout or delivery via UberEats.

224 Rue Milton, Montréal, QC H2X 1V6, Canada
(438) 797-8888
(438) 797-8888

Borscht at Rasputin

617 Boulevard Décarie, Saint-Laurent, QC H4L 3L2, Canada

Coming by a bowl of borscht to-go in the city isn’t the easiest of feats, but Décarie restaurant Rasputin is serving the traditional beet soup and a few other slurp-worthy options. Best eaten with a generous dollop of sour cream and a slice or two of crusty bread. Takeout orders can be placed online.

617 Boulevard Décarie, Saint-Laurent, QC H4L 3L2, Canada
(514) 748-4921
(514) 748-4921

Yellow Noodle Soup at Restaurant Phnom Penh

7153 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, Montréal, QC H3R 2M2, Canada

One of the few places in the city offering authentic yellow dipping noodles, Phnom Penh is a great choice for traditional Cambodian fare. Plus, a heaping bowl won’t cost more than $10.

7153 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, Montréal, QC H3R 2M2, Canada
(514) 739-8214
(514) 739-8214

Soup of the Day at Olive et Gourmando

351 Rue Saint-Paul O, Montréal, QC H2Y 2A7, Canada

Olive + Gourmando's soup of the day may change regularly, but rest assured that it'll be delicious no matter what's available. Past flavours have included apple cheddar, chicken noodle, and tomato chipotle. Order a solo bowl, or get it as a side with an equally tasty sandwich. (Closed until January 8.)

351 Rue Saint-Paul O, Montréal, QC H2Y 2A7, Canada
(514) 350-1083
(514) 350-1083

Laksa at Satay Brothers

3721 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1P8, Canada

Singaporean restaurant Satay Brothers ladles up laksa, a spicy, coconut milk-based Southeast Asian soup. It’s hot, hearty, and, with chicken, shrimp, and fish cakes served on top, quite filling — the perfect antidote to Montreal’s frigid winter days. Takeout and delivery with CHK PLZ are available as of January 7.

3721 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1P8, Canada
(514) 933-3507
(514) 933-3507

Tortilla Soup at Tacos Frida

4350 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 2W6, Canada

While best known for tacos, St-Henri’s Frida does an equally mouthwatering tortilla soup. This traditional Mexican soup has a chicken broth base, is packed with beans and corn tortilla, and rings in at just $4 for a small (or $6 for a large). In the mood for something a little heartier? Frida also does classic Mexican pozole with flair. Available for takeout or delivery. (Tacos Frida is closed until January 19.)

4350 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 2W6, Canada
(514) 316-3255
(514) 316-3255

Shrimp Gumbo at Bistro Nolah

3669 Boul Saint-Jean, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC H9G 1X2, Canada

Gumbo in Montreal isn’t easy to come by; in fact, it’s virtually nonexistent. But this West Island Cajun haunt has been serving the stew with sausage and copious amounts of shrimps for almost nine years. The DDO strip mall restaurant is a favourite among locals, and the classic New Orleans comfort food is up for grabs as takeout or delivery.

3669 Boul Saint-Jean, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC H9G 1X2, Canada
(514) 696-9797
(514) 696-9797