When the skies turn gray and the drizzle sets in, Portlanders know precisely what to do: seek comfort in a steaming bowl of soup. From tangy dill pickle to silky ramen to a tomato-orange twist, the city’s kitchens are ladling up tradition, nostalgia, and bold flavor by the spoonful.
Otto & Anita’s Bavarian Restaurant
Dill Pickle Soup
Multnomah Village
In Portland’s cozy Multnomah Village, Otto & Anita’s has been serving hearty, old-world German fare for decades. Still, their famous original Dill Pickle Soup is what keeps fans coming back again and again. Briny, creamy, and comfortingly unexpected, this signature recipe blends tender potatoes, tangy pickles, and just the right amount of seasoning. It’s both humble and bold, the kind of dish that perfectly captures Portland’s love for the deliciously unusual.
Mother’s Bistro & Bar
Matzo Ball Soup
Downtown Portland
At Mother’s Bistro, comfort food reigns supreme, and few things say comfort like their Matzo Ball Soup. Chef Lisa Schroeder’s version honors tradition while adding a Portland touch, light, fluffy matzo balls in a golden broth rich with carrots and herbs. It’s the kind of soup that warms more than just your hands; it warms your heart.
La Provence & Petite Provence
French Onion Soup
Multiple Locations Across Portland
La Provence and Petite Provence bring a taste of France to Portland with their French Onion Soup. This deeply caramelized bowl of sweet onions and rich beef consommé comes crowned with a slice of housemade Provence bread and a molten mix of Swiss and Parmesan cheese. It’s the kind of old-world comfort that turns a rainy Portland afternoon into a Parisian moment.
Elephants Delicatessen
Tomato Soup
Multiple Locations
Since 1979, Elephants Delicatessen has been a go-to for Portlanders seeking quality comfort food, but their Tomato Orange Soup stands out as a true original. Creamy and dreamy, it balances the familiar richness of tomato with a bright splash of orange, a surprising harmony that feels both fresh and nostalgic. It’s Portland in a cup: unexpected, a little quirky, and absolutely delightful.
Salty’s on the Columbia
Clam Chowder
Northeast Marine Drive
No Portland soup list would be complete without Salty’s World-Famous Clam Chowder. Loaded with surf clams, Oregon bay shrimp, scallops, Washington potatoes, and applewood-smoked bacon, this chowder is a Pacific Northwest love letter in liquid form. Silky, smoky, and deeply satisfying, it’s as much a taste of the coast as it is a Portland tradition.
Toya Ramen & Bar
Ramen
Northwest PortlandFor something on the lighter yet intensely flavorful side, Toya Ramen & Bar has become a go-to spot for ramen lovers who appreciate clarity and creativity. Known for their chintan broths, Toya crafts soups that are both delicate and satisfying. Their inventive Tom Yum Ramen marries Japanese technique with Thai spice, creating a bright, aromatic bowl that’s equal parts comfort and adventure.
Pho Van
Pho
Multiple Locations
When it comes to authentic pho, Pho Van remains one of Portland’s most respected names. With fragrant broth simmered for hours, tender rice noodles, and fresh herbs, their pho is both classic and deeply restorative. Whether you go for rare steak, brisket, or tofu, every bowl feels like it’s been made with care, a perfect remedy for rainy days or weary spirits.
Remembering Old Wives’ Tales (Closed in 2014)
The Legend of the Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Though Old Wives’ Tales closed its doors over a decade ago, its Hungarian Mushroom Soup lives on in Portland lore and in many home kitchens. This velvety blend of mushrooms, paprika, dill, and sour cream was the restaurant’s calling card, a dish so beloved it inspired countless copycat recipes online. Creamy, earthy, and just a little tangy, it remains one of the city’s most nostalgic bites, proof that a truly great soup can outlive the restaurant that served it. Want to relive this amazing dish that was served during the restaurant’s legendary 34-year-old run, then we have you covered! Here are two recipes that can help you. The first is for the actual recipe from the restaurant, but it is for a LARGE group. The second is a recipe that is adapted for home use.
Endless Comfort
Whether you’re dipping bread into molten cheese at La Provence, savoring a spoonful of Otto & Anita’s pickle perfection, or slurping ramen at Toya before chasing it with pho at Pho Van, Portland’s soup scene reminds us that comfort can be found in every corner of the city, one bowl at a time.
