Where to warm up with soup and chili in Charlotte

Colder weather might be on the horizon in the area, and Charlotte's restaurants are ready for us with their offerings of soups and chilies.

These CharlotteFive features suggest our local eateries embrace diverse influences, with soups such as Tom Yum and Ethiopian lentil being popular. One article showcases the Yemisir Kik Wat at Abugida Café, a flavorful Ethiopian lentil soup spiced with berbere.

Another article highlights Brooks' Sandwich House, serving chili in bulk by the pound, perfect for loading onto burgers or nachos.

Boudreaux’s provides a Gumbo Yaya featuring Andouille sausage and chicken.

Calle Sol Latin Café's Spanish Bean Soup integrates garbanzo beans and chorizo.

At the same time, Picadeli’s Pub serves French onion soup, complemented with cheese.

This rich offering ensures that locals and visitors in Charlotte can find the perfect bowl to warm up during colder months.

Lupie’s Cafe has been serving comfort food in Charlotte for 34 years. Shown here is its Cincinnati-style chili served over spaghetti noodles with cheese, onions and cornbread.

NO. 1: CHILI, CHICKEN CASSEROLE AND COMMUNITY KEEP FUELING LUPIE’S CAFE 36 YEARS LATER

Charlotte’s Classic Eats: Home-cooked meals and a welcoming environment have kept diners coming back to this staple since 1987. | Published September 27, 2021 | Read Full Story by Philip Freeman

NO. 2: I HATE SOUP. LIKE, REALLY HATE SOUP. CHANGE MY MIND BY RECOMMENDING CHARLOTTE-AREA MEALS

Which place in the Charlotte area has the best soup? We want to know what you think. | Published November 18, 2022 | Read Full Story by KJ Edelman

Homemade chili soup and cinnamon rolls are a popular food combination in Nebraska.

NO. 3: ALTON BROWN GOT IT ALL WRONG ON MY HOME STATE’S CHILI AND CINNAMON ROLL CULTURE.

What’s a popular food dish from your hometown that the rest of the country would think is odd? | Published December 9, 2022 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

NO. 4: IT’S SOUP SEASON. HERE ARE 14 OF THE BEST SOUPS YOU SHOULD TRY IN THE CHARLOTTE AREA

Whether you’re craving chicken and dumplings, gumbo or chili, these one-bowl meals will hit the spot. | Published January 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ebony Morman

Pinky’s Westside Grill’s vegetarian chili. Pinky's Westside Grill

NO. 5: IT’S COLD OUTSIDE, BUT SOME OF CHARLOTTE RESTAURANTS’ BEST CHILI CAN HELP WARM YOU UP

A cup or a bowl of chili — or a loaded burger or hot dog — might just hit the spot when the temperatures drop in Charlotte. | Published January 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Bowls of Homemade Chili with Corn Bread, Cilantro and Cheddar Cheese By rudisill

NO. 6: IT’S FOOTBALL SEASON — AND CHILI SEASON. CHARLOTTE, SHARE YOUR BEST RECIPES

Football season has arrived in Charlotte, and for many of us, that means feeding a crowd. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

A Honey Buns Cafe II employee prepares a takeout order at the new Alley 51 international food hall. By Alex Cason

NO. 7: I GREW UP IN MY FAMILY’S CHINESE RESTAURANT IN CHARLOTTE. HERE’S WHERE I ACTUALLY EAT.

Chinese food comes in so many styles and traditions you can go cross-eyed trying to pick a “best” whether you’re talking Americanized or traditional, takeaway or dine-in. Here's what hot and sour soup has to do with it, too. | Published September 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shindy Chen

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.