SOUP SEASON
- CFL
- Dec 9
- 3 min read
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, nothing hits the spot like a bowl of soulful soup. From creamy bisques to bold seafood broths, local chefs are crafting winter bowls that comfort, delight, and tell a story of seasonality and local ingredients. We asked five standout Wilmington eateries to share their winter soup picks—and the perfect pairings to sip alongside them.
Butternut Squash Bisque
What makes this soup special?
It's curried with Madras spice and finished with coconut cream and pepitas. Guests love the aromatics that add depth. It also tells our seasonality story: spring brought strawberry gazpacho; midsummer, melon gazpacho; August, watermelon gazpacho; and fall, roasted red pepper. Winter’s here now, and so is our butternut squash bisque.
Local ingredients we love: A shoutout to Cottle Organics and their fantastic quality squashes.
The soundtrack for sipping: Hearts A Mess by JPL, A Girl Named Sue, Tora.
What to drink alongside: Twisted Vintage: a bourbon cocktail with maple and Earl Grey concentrate. Zero-proof? Try an Earl Grey & maple highball.
Potato and Leek Soup with Chimichurri & Crispy Bacon
What makes this soup special?
This isn’t just any potato and leek soup. It starts with a deeply savory, house-made chicken stock, simmered to perfection. Yukon Gold potatoes lend a luxuriously silky texture, while a bright, herbaceous chimichurri lifts the flavors with a fresh, zesty punch. And of course, crispy apple-smoked bacon crowns the bowl, adding smoky crunch that makes every spoonful utterly irresistible.
The soundtrack for sipping: Come Away With Me – Norah Jones. Gentle, creamy, and warming, just like the soup.
What to drink alongside: An unoaked Chardonnay with good acidity to balance the richness.
Seared Diver Scallop & Little Neck Clam ‘Chowder
What makes this soup special?
This refined chowder balances comfort with elegance. A silky celery-root base carries the sweetness of yellow corn and the warmth of sweet potato. Villari (NC) bacon adds smoky depth, while seared diver scallops and tender littleneck clams bring delicate ocean flavors. Finished with fresh gremolata and served with grilled house focaccia, it’s a coastal winter classic—elevated.
Local ingredients we love: Villari’s North Carolina bacon brings incredible smoky richness and supports a family-owned producer.
The soundtrack for sipping: What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
What to drink alongside:Hiruzta Txakolina wine. Citrus, minerality, and a slight spritz highlight the sweetness of the scallops and elevate the chowder.
Sesame Crusted Yellowfin Tuna Jjamppong
What makes this soup special?
A sesame-crusted yellowfin tuna sits atop Carolina Gold cilantro-lime rice and a vibrant stir-fry of baby bok choy, napa cabbage, sweet potato, carrot, and mushrooms. Everything is bathed in a bold, spicy Jjamppong broth—a Korean-inspired, vegetable-forward, seafood-style base that’s both invigorating and deeply comforting. Coastal meets Asian with serious personality.
Local ingredients we love: Anson Mills Carolina Gold rice brings depth, softness, and a connection to Lowcountry agricultural roots.
The soundtrack for sipping: Lovely Day by Bill Withers
What to drink alongside:Half Shell Martini cocktail: Cultivated Cocktails Asheville Vodka (NC), house seasonal mignonette, saline. Cold, briny, and precise—refreshing the palate between bites while echoing the broth’s mineral qualities.
