Soup has always held a special place in the culinary canon. In fact, according to culinary legend, the first official restaurant – opened in France in 1765 – was essentially a soup kitchen. Even the word "restaurant" is derived from the terms that describe that history-making hotspot's main menu item: restorative broths.

Centuries later, soup is still wielding its magical charms. It's versatile. It's comforting. And when the winter winds are blowing fiercely, there's nothing more warming than a big bowl of delicious soup.

Here's a list of some of the most stew-pendous spots to grab a bowl of heart-warming, soul-filling zuppa.

1. Amaranth Bakery & Cafe 

3329 W. Lisbon Ave., (414) 934-0587
facebook.com/AmaranthBakeryCafe/
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The baked goods at this longtime Walnut Hill staple are a worthy reason to visit; but the soups served alongside during the lunch hour are no slouch either. 

The ever-changing list might have delectable chicken chili verde, delectably spiced Turkish lentil, an umami-rich Brazilian seafood chowder or a butternut squash dappled with white beans.  Try them all!  Be sure to pair your soup up with one of their delicious flavored brioches (and maybe even a sweet treat). You'll be ready to fight off the frost in no time.

2. Benji's

4156 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 332-7777
8683 N. Port Washington Rd., (414) 228-5130
benjisdeliandrestaurant.com/menu.html
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On a cold day, there's simply nothing like a bowl of matzo ball soup from Benji's Deli.  And, hey, if matzo isn't your thing, there are also alternatives like rice, noodles or kreplach to add to your bowl of steaming chicken soup. Tired of making decisions? Just order Benji's Mish Mosh Soup, which has a bit of everything. Guaranteed you'll be back for another bowl to cure whatever ails you.

And if you become a regular, you can work your way through their entire menu, which features options like chili, borscht and mushroom barley soup.  They all give comforting testament to the reasons for Benji's longevity.

3. Guadalajara

901 S. 10th St., (414) 647-2266
milwaukeemexicanfood.com
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If you want to warm up this frosty winter season, you could take a trip to Guadalajara, the Mexican city that is expected to be about 81 degrees today. Or you could simply drive to Walker's Point and visit the restaurant of the same name, which offers a soul-filling menu of Mexican fare, including soups! Along with soups showcasing beef, chicken and (beef) tripe, Guadalajara also makes a wonderful green pozole.  A bit spicy and somewhat tart from the addition of tomatillos, it's a satisfying dish that's rife with chunks of pork and toothy kernels of hominy. Be sure to add some of the fresh cabbage, onion, radishes and a squeeze of lime to freshen things up.  

4. Kawa Ramen & Sushi

2321 N. Murray Ave., (414) 800-7979 
3rd Street Market Hall, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 748-8290
kawaramensushi.com
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Love ramen? You'll love the heart-warming consistent bowls at Kawa. Go with the classic tonkotsu option and you'll get that sumptuous rich broth topped with succulent pork, a luxurious soft-boiled egg, and all the fun fixin's.  But if it's truly cold outside, you might just need to request the Hellfire ramen. It will warm you up from tip to toe, guaranteed.

5. The Ladle Lady

(414) 975-0262
theladlelady.com
The Ladle Lady might not have her own brick-and-mortar location, but you can get scrumptious and soul-soothing quarts of her freshly made soup at HoneyBee Sage Wellness & Apothecary, 1819 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. or purchase frozen soup at the Riverwest Co-Op. The Ladle Lady shakes up the menu regularly with new bowls, so there's always a new "souprise" waiting to warm your insides. 

6. Loup

7505 Harwood Ave., (414) 988-0044
loupsoup.com
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The brick-and-mortar hotspot for Wisconsin Soup Company, Loup ladles out a fresh collection of brothy restoratives every day, each made with an eye for locally-sourced ingredients.

Their chicken and dumplings is sheer comfort, while their tomato and dill is a delicious variation on the classic.  Another soup that deserves mention is the beer cheese. If it's on the menu, snatch it up. Unlike many recipes, which are overly thick or floury-tasting, Loup's is creamy, flavorful and comforting. Plus, it contains another Wisconsin winter survival tool: Spotted Cow.

I'd also recommend looking through the selection of soups in their freezer and purchasing a quart or two to take home. They make for a quick easy meal on a busy weeknight.

7. Momo Mee

110 E. Greenfield Ave., (414) 316-9003
momomeerestaurant.com
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The housemade noodles are reason enough to put this spot at the top of your list for soup.  But the variety of bowls they offer just adds to list. From Japanese ramen to Thai Tom Yum and Korean Japchae, they offer something for every palate, including those who appreciate a bowl of mouth-tinglingly peppery Szechuan Beef Noodle Soup.

In this case, the beef is tender and the housemade noodles delicious. But the star of the show is the broth which in its complexity is both rich with umami and electrifyingly spicy thanks to the mouth-tingling magic of Szechuan peppercorn. As my colleague Matt used to say: "It's a dish that'll wake you up and knock you into a food coma simultaneously."

8. Nite Wolf

Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern
234 E. Vine St.,  (414) 763-3021
thenitewolf.com
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If you've been to Nite Wolf, the dinner concept that operates on weekends inside Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern, then you've already tasted the magic behind the delicious ramen. 

I'm a sucker for shoyu chintan. Its notably clear broth is dark and filled with rich umami flavor. It's beautifully complimented by all of the add-ins, from the slightly salty, tender chashu pork to the  stunningly beautiful ajitama (soy egg), which is spot-on custard-level creamy on the inside.

9. Pho Spot

3rd Street Market Hall, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave.
3rdstmarket.menu
When it comes to soup, there's nothing like a great bowl of pho. And Pho Spot serves up one of the most delicious in the city. It's filled with flavor, not only from its extended cooking time, which extracts flavor and heft from meaty marrow bones, but from the flavor of warming spices like star anise.

I'm a huge fan of the  oxtail pho, which is filled with tender pieces of oxtail, beef brisket and meatballs. Don't forget the cilantro, Thai basil, lime, jalapeno and onions; they bring the entire bowl to life.

10. The Soup Market

Various locations, (414) 727-8462
thesoupmarket.com
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With locations scattered across the city – from Bay View to Hales Corners, Vliet Street and Oak Creek – The Soup Market might be among the easiest spots to get your fix of steaming broth. Even better, each location has between seven and eight housemade soup options from which to choose (including at least one vegan soup), so there's always something appealing in the mix.  

Whether you're craving a classic like chicken dumpling,  New England clam chowder, or loaded baked potato or you'd prefer something more adventurous like Polish pickle soup, African chicken peanut or Croatian sarma soup,  there's plenty from which to choose.  Even better, they're made with care, so you'll want to go back and dig a spoon into all of them.