If you’ve ever spent a winter in Bozeman, you know there’s little that can warm you up once Jack Frost assails this quaint town with full force. Whether you’re a “local” or not, one thing we can all agree on is that sometimes the weather outside really is frightful. What better way to warm up than with soup? I’ve been lucky enough to recently embark on an adventure that took me across the
Gallatin Valley one recent Saturday with a mission to locate the top ten places for soup in Bozeman. Here, I present my findings to anyone looking for a tasty snack that will keep you warmer than a Carhartt beanie.


Mama Mac’s
At Mama Mac’s, the baked goods case is not the only wonder to enjoy. Located in Four Corners, this bustling diner has an array of both lunch and breakfast options, along with the aforementioned baked goods. An oft-mentioned luxury of this restaurant, though, is its soup. When I went, the soup of the day was a lovely Spinach Meatball. It had a homestyle feel that was reminiscent of a classic chicken noodle soup, but with the addition of delightfully seasoned meatballs and a variety of veggies. My only regret was not getting a side of toast to enjoy with this wonderful soup!


The Garage
Upon entering The Garage, my first thoughts were about how unique an atmosphere it had. I was greeted by a decommissioned hotrod on display in the center of the restaurant, and took in how absolutely fitting the name of the restaurant is. Their soup du jour was a Tortilla Soup, which had a bold flavor with a kick to it, and was accompanied by some expertly toasted bread that was very delicious. If you’re looking for some soup with an atmosphere that will bring you back to the golden age of rock, The Garage is your off-the-beaten-path place.
   
Feed Café
Feed Café somehow manages to perfectly blend city life with the quiet agricultural life of greater Montana. Set in a picturesque barn on Main Street, this café is a surefire place to experience an affordable sit-down meal that will leave you extremely satisfied. I had the luxury of tasting their African Peanut Soup—an absolutely wonderful, creamy mix of pumpkin and peanut, with a hint of nutmeg. Of course, the toast tied the dish together amazingly well. If you want to enjoy a delicious soup in a great atmosphere, Feed Café fits the bill. 


The Coffee Pot
Tucked away in Four Corners, this charming cabin is a hidden gem. With an aesthetic that fully encompasses the beautiful wilderness that surrounds Bozeman, The Coffee Pot is the perfect place to warm up after a long day of skiing. The soup I was graced with was a lovely Tomato Basil with some homemade sourdough toast. It was a very classic take on the dish, with every aspect perfectly executed. If you’re looking for your classic, nostalgic tomato soup, this is the place to go.

Community Food Co-op
The Bozeman Co-op is so iconic that it would feel like a sin to not include it on this list. When questioning people about where I should go on my soup journey, almost everyone mentioned the Co-op. With a wide variety of organic groceries, this market is one that attracts many local customers with an affinity for healthy living, and their ready-to-eat food is no exception. After a conversation with an employee, I settled on the Italian Orzo Soup. It had a wonderful cheesy texture, with an array of vegetables and spices along with the added treat of Italian sausage. It definitely felt like a dinner soup, as in something that you could eat on its own as a hearty meal. The Co-op definitely reinforced its place in my mind as a fixture of downtown Bozeman.

Maven’s Market
This sophisticated market on the outskirts of downtown has a whimsical feel to it that incorporates the gourmet into the refined. With a wide variety of cheeses, baked goods, and sandwiches, Maven’s Market brings a European twist to the Bozeman food scene. I had the honor of trying their Tomato Gouda Bisque, which was absolutely delightful. It was creamy, rich, and enticing. It felt comforting. Overall, this was a fantastic soup if you’re in the mood for a delicious bisque from a creatively cultivated eatery. 

Audrey’s
If you know anything about Bozeman restaurants, you know that Audrey’s is one of the go-to spots for pizza and beer in Midtown. So it might come as a shock that their soup was as sensational as it was. On the particular day I was there, they were serving Chicken Verde Soup. This soup was served with tortilla chips and a lime wedge, offering an experience of exactly how this soup is supposed to be experienced—and what an experience it was! The chicken was perfectly tender, the chips were a great dipping tool, and the lime added to the eccentric and bold flavor the soup imparted. If you’re in the mood for a dinner soup at a restaurant that not only features a bar, but also an arcade, Audrey’s is the place to be. 


LaPa Grill & Soup Shack
In the heart of downtown Bozeman, one soup spot shines among the bustling streets that surround it (and not just because it’s connected to Shine Brewery). That would be LaPa’s Soup Shack. With customer service that fully encompasses the friendliness of Bozeman, and seating for every type of gathering, LaPa’s cements itself in the downtown soup legacy. When prompted for the best soup they sold, the server suggested the clam chowder topped with cilantro, cheese, and green onions. This soup was fantastic, as was the bread that was served with it, but I would recommend LaPa’s for so much more than the soup. The overall vibe of the restaurant was fun and lighthearted, and if that’s your jam, I would highly suggest paying them a visit.
 
Blacksmith Italian
Right next to the MSU campus, Blacksmith Italian is an extremely sophisticated restaurant with an elegant air about it. They have a menu filled with delicious seafood and pasta. However, I was not there for those wonderful options; I was there for their Pumpkin Soup with Candied Walnuts. It was an excellent choice, and a lovely dinner soup. It came with warm, fresh-baked bread that was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It was an absolutely delightful dish, and if you’re looking for a wonderful place to spend a date-night, Blacksmith is the perfect location.
 
Seven Sushi
Located in Bozeman’s Cannery District, Seven Sushi offers not only a wide range of classic Japanese fusion fare, but also an atmosphere that is both calm and professional. As I would at any typical sushi restaurant, I ordered the miso soup. However, this miso soup exceeded typical expectations. It was a blast of refreshing flavor, with a savory broth filled with onions, tofu, and seaweed. It was delicious, simple, and the perfect side dish to order with any of Seven’s tasty sushi rolls. If you’re in the mood for sushi but still want to enjoy a warm meal, Seven Sushi is the place for you.

When it comes to soup in Bozeman, our wonderful town has more to offer than you would think. Enjoying all these different types of soups was truly a special journey, and I believe they all had a unique experience that came with them. Hopefully, this compilation of ‘soup around the Gallatin Valley’ will keep you warm in the chilly weather to come. I wish you all the best on your soup-loving adventures!