Soup Quest

If there’s one dish that dominates BKR’s lunch and dining thoughts, it’s wonderful, warming, hearty, healthy, flavour-packed, fabulous soup.

As a little addition to our reviews, here’s a summary of the best soups he’s sampled on his travels. This will be regularly updated, as new and intriguing soupy soups are consumed.

In cases where he’s sampled more than one soup in a given location (like with the excellent Union of Genius, Hula, Domenico’s etc), his favourite soup is listed.

Exceptional

"Big Green"

Al DenteCappelletti in Brodo
A brilliant dish, packed with heaps of flavour, delivering a hugely satisfying effect. An inspired choice for their festive menu.

The ApiaryCurried parsnip and chorizo
A delicious soup, with wonderful aromatics and sweetness.

The ArchesTomato and cumin
An excellent soup expertly balancing sweetness and earthiness.

The AtelierCauliflower
A beautifully presented, warmly spiced soup, which was oh so satisfying.

The BakehouseCreamy sweetcorn
A wonderfully nourishing soup, beautifully seasoned, and with a perfect velvet texture.

The Butterfly & the PigCream of Chicken and Leek
Beautiful soft chunks of chicken set in a richly creamy soup made this one of the standout dishes of 2012.

The Caffeine DripBrown lentil
A warming an extremely hearty bowl of goodness, this was a really excellent dish, packed with flavour.

Castle TerraceBroccoli and Blue Cheese
A gem of a dish, as you would expect from our most recent Michelin star recipient. Knockout flavours perfectly balanced to achieve maximum satisfaction.

Club SandwichPotato and Double Gloucester
Beautifully judged potato soup with wonderful explosions of flavour from the cheese.

Crolla’sCock-a-leekie
A perfectly seasoned, traditional delight from a really friendly little New Town cafe.

Cross & CornerCeleriac
Stylish, elegant and highly accomplished.

Edinburgh LarderHam, Broccoli and Watercress
A wonderful combination of flavours, showcasing excellent local produce. The Edinburgh Larder is a magnificent place and their soup is gorgeous.

FieldApple and celeriac
The finest soup of 2013, this creamy and well-balanced blend of apple and celeriac, topped with walnuts, was simple and elegant, just like the restaurant in which it was served.

Forsyth’s TearoomBroccoli and stilton
The place is a curious little tourist-focussed nook, but the soup is absolutely first rate, with this broccoli and stilton one of the finest I’ve been served.

GambaFish
This all-time classic is profoundly flavourful and richly indulgent.

GirvansCauliflower
A wonderful soup served in lovely surroundings in Inverness.

LezzetliCream of Spinach
Deeply green, packed with Popeye goodness, and beautifully seasoned, this soup was an absolute winner.

Natural Foods EtcApple and celery
With cinnamon served on the side for you to apply to your requirements, this was a beautifully balance soup that really hit the spot.

New Town DeliLentil, sweet potato, and cardamom
Lovely notes of aromatic spice raised this plain looking soup to another level. Lovely consistency and beautiful flavour.

Porto & FiSweetcorn, coconut and chilli
A perfect winter sunshine soup. Warming, with beautifully judged spicing. Really high quality stuff.

PurslaneCeleriac
Beautifully seasoned and crammed with flavour, this was a wonderful bowl of autumnal majesty.

Rafael’sPotato, asparagus and dill
A wonderful combination of flavours in this velvety soup made it a complete joy.

Souped UpLeek and potato
With a whisper of mustard running through it, this was a hearty and deliciously warming soup.

Stag EspressoKashmiri chicken
An aromatic delight, full of wonderfully balanced flavour.

Stage Door Cafe BistroCeleriac, pine nut and truffle oil
A rich and creamy treat, with delicious depth added by the pine nuts and oil.

SushiyaMiso
Quite simply, the best miso soup in the city.

Union of Genius“Big Green”
Full of green vegetable goodness, with lovely citrus notes, this was a fantastic, reviving soup, from Edinburgh’s premier soup cafe.

WedgwoodPork fillet and black pudding in pea and ham soup
The soup was a sweet and velvety dream-like substance, perfectly uniting the meaty elements of this elegant starter.

Whiski RoomsCauliflower
Spectacularly good. Perfect, velvety texture and bursting with flavour. Magnificent!

Yellow BenchBorscht
An absolutely outstanding soup, beautifully seasoned, with a wonderful balance of flavours.

Very Good

King's Wark seafood chowder

1780Cullen skink
With profuse smoky fish, this was a really tasty bowl of this Scottish classic.

Angels with BagpipesCauliflower veloute
Wonderfully creamy cauliflower delight.

The AntiquaryWhite Onion
Intensely oniony, with well judged sweetness, this was a really well-executed bowl of quality soup.

Appetite DirectCarrot and parsnip
A well judged blend of sweet and savoury made this an enjoyable soup.

Area C CoffeehouseYellow split pea and coconut
Beautifully seasoned, with a lovely light aroma of coconut, this was a deeply satisfying soup.

Aroma Coffee BarYellow split pea
A wonderfully velvety textured soup, with oodles of flavour.

AuchingarrichMushroom
Lovely and creamy, this was packed with nutty mushroom goodness.

Avery & CoPea, chilli and lemon
A fresh and zingy soup that was full of charm.

Babu KitchenMoong daal tadka
An excellent balance of spicing in this complex and zingy soup.

The Baked Potato ShopBombay Potato
Chunky potato goodness, with warming spices, beautifully balanced, in a bowl of soup guaranteed to wake up your system and fuel it perfectly for the afternoon ahead.

Bar SobaPulled pork ramen noodle broth
A flavour packed broth, with lovely pulled pork and good chunky vegetables

Barolo GrillMinestrone
With a beautiful texture bringing together soft and chunky vegetables, this was a really enjoyable bowlful.

B’estBroccoli, cauliflower and blue cheese
Excellent depth of flavour made this a really satisfying soup.

Bijou BistroMushroom and garlic
Packed with mushrooms, and with a well-judged garlic creaminess, this was a very pleasing soup.

Bisque Bar & BrasserieSeafood bisque
Flavour-packed and really satisfying.

Bistro ProvenceButternut squash and rosemary
A stylish soup, full of autumnal flavour, accompanied by a lovely crisp garlic crouton.

Bite MeLentil and red pepper
High quality, flavour-packed goodness.

BitesIndian Potato and Spinach
Lightly aromatic and packed with potatoes, this was a generously hearty soup.

BlackfriarsCourgette and leek
A beautifully textured soup, which was just a slightly over-seasoned whisper away from being exceptional.

Blue ParrotBean
Flavour packed, with a good backbone of chilli heat, this was a really satisfying bowl of bean goodness.

The Bluebird CafePea and ham
A rustic and tasty soup from Bluebird’s ever-changing selection.

Bobby’s Sandwich BarLentil
Just plain good lentil soup. Thickly satisfying and bursting with flavour.

Bombay Bicycle ClubDaal
Warmly spiced and beautifully seasoned, this was a very satisfying soup.

Bon VivantLeek and Potato
Light, but flavour-packed, this was a sumptuous, summery rendering of one of the more popular soups served in Edinburgh dining spots.

The BonhamSpiced Parsnip
A satisfyingly clean taste and texture. Soup at The Bonham is of consistently very good quality.

Brazilian SensationBlack bean
Packed with beans and profoundly tasty.

Butternut SquashChicken and sweetcorn
Fresh, light and full of flavour, this soup was quite tremendous!

Cafe 9Cream of mushroom
Richly flavourful, with a lovely, creamy broth.

Cafe CaminoTomato and lentil
Packing in profusely chunky tomato, this was a very enjoyable eat.

Cafe CasablancaHarira
A really good example of this Moroccan classic.

Cafe CockburnLentil
A surprisingly good version of this staple served in slightly curious and stilted surroundings.

Café Domenico’sPea and Prosciutto
Sweetness of pea, saltiness of parma ham, a great combination, extremely well-executed by the master chefs at Domenico’s.

Café MarlayneLentil and ham hock
Lovely depth of flavour to this hearty soup.

Café TartineOnion
A satisfyingly warming soup.

CalistogaSeafood chowder
With a lovely balance of textures and flavours, this was a creamy delight of a soup.

Casa AngelinaButternut squash, carrot and lemon thyme
Sweetly herby and deliciously satisfying soup.

Castello CoffeeLeek & potato
Lovingly homemade and completely triumphant, this was an excellent soup.

La CeriseCarrot & sweet potato
Delightfully fresh and warming.

China TownSeafood
Very well judged, with good chunks of seafood goodness.

City MerchantSeafood
A classic seafood soup, with pleasing depth of flavour.

City PatioVeggie lentil
Wholesome, rustic and totally satisfying.

Clock CafeLeek and potato
A beautifully rustic rendering of this soupy favourite.

Corner GrillBlack Isle potato
A simple, creamy soup, which allowed the quality of the potatoes to shine through.

CreelersFish
A nicely spiced and deeply flavoured soup.

Crombie’sVegetable
A velvety and warmly spiced soup. Delightful.

Deli FrescoCarrot and coriander
A lovely take on this classic combo.

Eastern CuisineHot and sour
Intensely hot and sour, so very much lived up to its name.

Ecco VinoLeek and potato
A very herby rendering of this popular soup. Very enjoyable.

ElbowSpicy red pepper and tomato
A beautifully presented soup, full of warmly spiced charm.

Elm RoseLentil and bacon
Very moreish and packed with flavour.

EnjoyTomato
A fantastically hearty rendition of a classic soup.

Fair Trade Coffee ShopVegetable
A deeply nourishing broth, full of restorative barley goodness.

FeastRainbow tofu
Elegant, visually stylish and with a great variety of textures, this was an really enjoyable soup.

Finnegan’sLentil
A very satisfying lentil soup.

Firth of FrothCock-a-leekie
A really tasty rendition of the classic Scottish soup.

Fish EaterySeafood chowder
With a generous amount of corn and seafood, this was a well-textured and satisfying soupy delight.

Fishers in the CitySpinach, wild garlic and nettle
Fresh, smooth and delightfully light.

The FountainCeleriac, sweet potato and ginger
Rustic and warming, with a herb oil topping, this was a really enjoyable soup.

Fredericks Coffee HouseTomato and lentil
Full of flavour and beautifully textured, this soup was a complete joy.

GaiaCauliflower
Simple and straightforward, this was a flavour-packed soup.

Galvin Brasserie de LuxeParsnip veloute with spiced apple
Beautifully prepared and highly elegant.

La GarrigueOnion
The best French onion soup in the city, with lovely notes of juniper to offset the sweetness.

The GatewayBroccoli and mushroom
A lovely, warming, richly savoury soup.

Golden DragonChicken noodle
A beautifully seasoned broth packed with lovely soft noodles.

Gran CaffeButternut squash, sweet potato and chilli
Elegant and flavour packed.

Green Cat CafeLeek and potato
A very tasty version of this staple.

Grill 48Leek and potato
Hearty and flavour-packed.

Guildford ArmsLeek and potato
A well-seasoned and rustic soup.

Gurkha BrigadeNepalese chicken
A really nicely judged blend of flavours made for highly enjoyable eating.

Hanna Cherries TeashopCauliflower, cheddar and mustard
A good blend of heat and sourness made this soup surprisingly enjoyable.

Harajuku KitchenMiso
One of the most satisfying miso soups we’ve been served in the city.

HemmaPea and spinach
Packed with citrus and dill, this was a lovely Scandinavian soup.

HenriThai spiced peppers
A warmly aromatic soup, full of lively goodness.

Hula Juice BarHaggis, neep and tattie
Great fun and smashing quality from the Hula maestros.

Hungry Henry’sPotato and sweetcorn
A smooth soup with considerable punch.

Italia NostraTortellini in brodo
A lovely version of this Italian favourite.

Jasminebraised tofu and seafood
Delicate and elegant.

Just the TicketParsnip
Thick and full of flavour, this was a perfect winter warmer.

Karen’s UnicornHot and sour
A richly meaty broth, full of shredded goodness.

Khublai KhanMushroom
A lovely mushroom soup, full of excellent nutty flavour.

KilimanjaroChicken chowder
A great soup for keeping out the cold on a bracing Edinburgh day.

King’s WarkFish with vermicelli and egg white
A first-rate chowder, with generous amounts of seafood, in a lovely creamy broth.

KweilinSeafood chowder
A beautifully delicate soup, from the Chinese seafood experts at Kweilin.

Leith Beer CoMushroom
A creamy and delightful rendition.

Leo’s BeaneryWinter vegetable
A perfect winter warmer.

Lettuce EatChicken chowder
Outstandingly tasty soup, full of replenishing delight.

Lian PuMixed meat ramen
Profuse and delicious, this was a very smart dish.

LimeChicken broth
Full of shredded chicken and leek, this was a complete soupy joy.

The Little InnTomato & basil
One of the best tomato soups I’ve tried.

Le Marche FrancaisHighland vegetable
A truly amazing depth of flavour made this a sumptuous soup.

Meat BarCorn chowder
A meal in itself, this was a warmingly hearty bowl of creamy goodness.

The MelvilleCarrot and coriander, with caramelized orange
A sophisticated soup, with an elegant orange centrepiece, around which a pleasing broth was poured.

NawrozTomato, Lentil and Mint
Unusual and complex, this was deep and warming, yet still somehow light and refreshing. Really skillful.

New York Steam PacketSweet potato and coconut
Lovely, aromatic and deeply satisfying.

Nira CaledoniaPrawn bisque
A sophisticated soup, packed with amazing depth of flavour.

NoblesCourgette and rosemary
Intensely herby and smartly executed, this was a high quality dish.

Oasis CafeCauliflower
A light and flavourful soup.

Olive Tree Cafe BistroLentil
A lentil soup in the spiced Middle Eastern style, this was packed with warming flavour.

OndineSmoked Haddock Chowder
Rich, smokey flavour, with accurately diced pieces of potato and fish, beautifully served directly from the tureen.

Osteria del Tempo PersoBroccoli and tomato
A tasty flavour combination.

Out of the Blue Drill Hall CafeCourgette, pea and mint
A hearty winter broth. Delicious.

The OxOnion and ale
Beautifully balanced, with fantastic depth of flavour.

La P’tite FolieCream of parsnip
Beautifully presented and full of flavour.

The PantryCaramelized swede
A warming seasonal favourite.

PapaveroPotato and lentil
A simple soup, packed with flavour.

Patisserie JacobPotato and kale
A delicious soup with a lovely blend of flavours.

PapoliLamb shorba
A lovely, meaty soup, full of Mediterranean goodness.

Piano CafeMinestrone
Hearty and entirely pleasing, this was one of the better minestrones I’ve been served.

Picnic BasketCreamy mushroom
Richly satisfying lunchtime mushroom goodness.

PinocchioChickpea
Warmly spiced, made with love, and deeply satisfying.

Preacher’s PatisserieLentil
A very good, old school lentil soup.

QuaMinestrone
A satisfyingly chunky minestrone.

Queen’s ArmsParsnip
A warming and delicious soup, with a lovely texture and oodles of flavour.

QupiLeek, potato and lentil
An enjoyably rustic rendition of this tasty flavour combination.

The RegentParsnip and ginger
A rustic soup, packed with parsnip goodness.

RendezvousCrab and sweetcorn
A really nicely prepared soup, full of crabstick and sweetcorn goodness.

ReverieMushroom, spinach and tarragon
A wonderfully aromatic soup, with judicious use of tarragon.

Richmond Cafe BistroBean
A satisfying soup in the Mediterranean style.

Riverhill Coffee BarCeleriac, apple and blue cheese
A smashing soup, which pleased me, greatly.

The Roamin’ NoseSweet potato and fennel
Beautiful texture and packed with flavour. One to savour.

RoccaWild mushroom
Elegant and delicious.

RoganoCeleriac and Mushroom
Thick and hearty, Glasgow’s Rogano is one of my favourite soupy spots, when I’m in the West.

The RoseleafCullen skink
A flavour-packed version of this Scottish classic.

Royal ChinaChicken noodle
A light and pleasing rendition, packed with noodles and tender chicken strips.

Safari LoungeAsian vegetable broth
Wonderfully aromatic, this soup was packed with vegetable goodness.

Salvo’s CaffeLentil
A light but well-seasoned broth, full of chunky vegetable goodness.

SambucaPasta e fagioli
Full of pasta and beans, this was a beautifully seasoned soup.

Sandwich DelightsMushroom
A chunky and well-seasoned soup.

The Scottish Cafe and RestaurantCullen skink
A rustic and hearty version of this Scottish classic. A meal in itself.

The Scran and ScallieSheep’s heid broth
A Scottish classic, this was a nicely executed dish.

Sicilian Pastry ShopLentil
A fantastic lentil soup from this wonderful bakery.

Social BiteCarrot and coriander
Lovely and creamy, this was an excellently produced, rustic soup.

SongkranChicken tom yum
Punchy and aromatic, this soup was really satisfying.

Spirit of ThaiChicken tom yum
A spectacular soup, full of wonderful zing and chilli power.

SprioPotato and chickpea
A lovely combination of flavours and textures in this expertly prepared soup.

Stac Polly Bistro and Gin BarChestnut mushroom
An outstanding broth that was a little let down by its accompaniment, but was very tasty nevertheless.

Suburban PantryRed pepper, lentil and tarragon
A bonnie and well-executed soup with a nicely judged balance of flavours.

Sugarhouse SandwichesCurried carrot and butter bean
Smart and tasty, with whole butter beans providing pleasing hidden treasure, this was a lovely lunchtime soup.

Sylvester’sWild mushroom
Wonderfully nutty and beautifully balanced.

Tani ModiMinestrone
Beautifully seasoned and full of hearty goodness.

Tasty NoodleChicken noodle
A meal in itself, the chicken in this noodle soup was outstanding.

Thai LemongrassTom kha
Full of fragrance, with an excellence balance of flavours.

Thistle Sandwich BarMinted Pea and Ham
Lovely consistency, sweet pea and ham flavours, beautifully balanced by fragrant mint. Really good.

Three BirdsGarlic
Full of rich garlic creaminess, this was as enjoyable and quirky soup.

Time 4 ThaiChicken and Mushroom
A riot of flavour, with citrus, coconut, chilli and coriander, this soup was one of the more memorable dishes I’ve sampled on all of our quests. A touch out of control, but relentlessly interesting!

ToastButternut squash and spinach
A highly accomplished, beautifully balanced soup.

Traverse Theatre BarPea and Mint
A generous portion of really nicely made, flavour-packed soup.

Two Thin LaddiesRoasted vegetable
A beautifully thick and hearty soup, full of wonderful roasted flavour.

Urban AngelLeek, potato and fennel
An excellent, blended, velvety soup, served with delicious bread. Creamy, elegant and satisfying.

VoujonLentil
An excellent blend of textures made this a very satisfying soup.

Water of Leith Cafe BistroCullen skink
A lovely rendition of this smokily fishy Scottish classic.

The West RoomLentil and Ham Hock
A lovely looking soup, packed with flavour and generous chunks of ham.

WildfireLentil and bacon
A deeply flavoured, profoundly satisfying soup.

Woodland CreaturesSweet potato and coconut
A really well-judged balance of flavours in this satisfying soup.

Wong’sHot and sour
Packed with flavourful morsels, this was a satisfying soup of real quality.