Winter Warmers: Canberra’s Top soups

The colder weather has definitely arrived in Canberra and the dip in the temperature means a change in what we eat. Comforting soups are back on the menu and we have found some of the best in Canberra to warm you up.

Dumpling Soup

With a regularly changing exhibition program, four gallery spaces and a sculpture garden, Beaver Galleries in Deakin is Canberra’s largest commercial gallery, attracting people all year round. In addition to the exhibitions, one of the galleries’ main attractions is The Kitchen at Beaver Galleries. Open for just over a year, it quickly gained a reputation as one of the best freshly-made dessert cabinets in town accompanied by sensational coffee using artisan wood-fired roasted beans.

But on a cold day, we found comfort in their hot meals, with my pick being the perfectly portioned, delicate six-hour Unami broth full of free-range chicken dumplings. It is a perfect remedy for the impending winter chill.

The Kitchen at Beaver Galleries is located at 81 Denison St, Deakin and is open from Tuesday to Sunday. They’re also pet-friendly!

Seafood Chowder

Manolo’s, the family-run restaurant, opened in the heart of the hustle and bustle of industrial Phillip on Botany Street and took on the challenge of bringing good food, coffee and warmth in amongst the car yards, tyre shops and hardware outlets of Phillip. The area is traditionally more known as a pit stop for tradies stocking up on their commercial needs, not for its gastronomic delights, but Manolo’s changed that.

For true winter comfort, there is a changing array of fresh pasta and soups on the menu. The day I was there, owner Alex Piris had just cooked a batch of Seafood Chowder, featuring a soul-warming combination of prawns, butter and cream. It is not always on the menu but if you see it there, definitely order it!

Manolo’s is located at 17 Botany St, Phillip and is open Monday – Saturday.

Traditional Onion Soup

Located in Barton, within the premises of Hotel Realm, Buvette Bistro & Wine Bar pairs classic French dishes with seasonal local ingredients, with truffles being a big highlight every year during the colder months.

When we popped in for lunch on a cold day during the last truffle season, we were instantly warmed up by the depths of flavours in the first taste of our entree – a Truffled Traditional French onion soup with Gruyere cheese croutons.

Buvette Bistro & Wine Bar is located at 18 National Circuit, Barton within Hotel Realm.

Duck Laksa

Asian Noodle House is well known in Canberra for one of the best Laksas in the city. With multiple locations in Dickson, Woden, Tuggeranong, Civic and Belconnen, locals have been ordering the spicy noodle soup by the gallon since it opened.

My pick on the Laksa menu has always been the Duck Laksa, the fattiness of the meat pairs perfectly with the richness of the spicy broth.

Asian Noodle House has locations in Dickson, Woden, Tuggeranong, Civic and Belconnen.

What is your favourite soup in the city?

Sophia Brady dined at her expense.