The Best 6 Soup Bowls of 2024 — my top picks for soup, chili, stews, and more. Affordable, practical, and versatile, these bowls work well beyond soup. I’ve included recipe ideas so you’ll always know what to serve in them.
When temperatures drop, a great soup bowl becomes an essential kitchen item. In this guide I share reliable, attractive bowls that stand up to daily use and special occasions. Whether you prefer a handled crock for French onion, a wide shallow bowl for brothy soups, or a small ramekin-style bowl for sides and desserts, there’s a right shape and size for every recipe.
If you think soup can’t be a full meal, try a hearty chili or stew recipe served in the right bowl—you’ll change your mind. Below I highlight bowls that are oven-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe, durable, and attractive on the table. I also point to favorite recipes to inspire how to use each style.
Want this recipe? Try the 30-Minute Homemade Alphabet Soup—an easy family favorite that’s great for picky eaters.
Read on to see my favorite soup bowls and a selection of recipes and serving ideas. I’ve sorted bowls by use case so you can pick the best option for the soups you make most often.
My Top Picks
- Best French Onion Soup Bowls: Le Tauci 15-Ounce French Onion Soup Bowls (Set of 4) — oven-safe handled bowls, great for cheese-topped soups.
- Best Large Soup Bowls: Jingdezhen 40-Ounce Microwave-Safe Soup Bowl Set (Set of 4) — roomy, wide, and practical for big portions.
- Best Shallow Soup Bowls: Le Tauci 42-Ounce Embossed Stoneware Pasta Bowls (Set of 4) — wide, shallow, and versatile for grain bowls, pasta, and salads.
- Best Small Soup Bowls: Le Tauci 7-Ounce Embossed Stoneware Soup Bowls (Set of 4) — compact bowls for side portions and rich, creamy soups.
- Best Splurge Bowls: Le Creuset 8-Ounce Stoneware Mini Round Cocotte — beautiful individual cocottes that double as mini serving dishes with lids.
- Best Holiday Bowls: Spode Christmas Tree Collection Stacking Bowls (Set of 4) — festive, stackable earthenware for seasonal entertaining.
Reviews of the Best Soup Bowls
1. Best French Onion Soup Bowls: Le Tauci 15-Ounce French Onion Soup Bowls (Set of 4)
These handled ceramic bowls are ideal for French onion and other cheese-melt soups because the handles make them easy to move in and out of the oven. The heavy ceramic construction tolerates high oven temperatures, and the 15-ounce capacity fits a generous serving while still allowing the signature cheese crust to shine.
Specs:
- Capacity: 15 ounces
- Dimensions: approximately 5.3” W x 2.5” H
- Material: Ceramic
- Heat Tolerance: High oven temperatures
Pros: Oven-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe; easy to grip; sturdy ceramic. Cons: The glazing can trap water in some handle designs after washing.
2. Best Large Soup Bowls: Jingdezhen 40-Ounce Microwave-Safe Soup Bowl Set (Set of 4)
If you want a bowl that functions like a serving vessel for soups, stews, and even pasta, these large porcelain bowls are excellent. Their wide, deep profile works well for brothy recipes, hearty chilis, and big family-style servings. They’re scratch-resistant and easy to clean.
Specs:
- Capacity: 40 ounces
- Material: Porcelain
- Heat Tolerance: Microwave and oven safe within recommended limits
Pros: Large capacity, durable finish, dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Cons: Too wide and open for French onion-style cheese crusts.
3. Best Shallow Soup Bowls: Le Tauci 42-Ounce Embossed Pasta Bowls (Set of 4)
Shallow bowls are surprisingly versatile: use them for brothy soups, salads, pasta, and grain bowls. These embossed stoneware bowls have a large 9-inch diameter that makes them a go-to for visually appealing presentations and dishes you like to pile high.
Specs:
- Capacity: 42 ounces
- Dimensions: about 9” W x 2” H
- Material: Ceramic/stoneware
- Heat Tolerance: Oven- and microwave-safe
Pros: Stackable, oven- and dishwasher-safe, attractive embossed designs. Cons: More fragile if dropped.
4. Best Small Soup Bowls: Le Tauci 7-Ounce Embossed Stoneware Soup Bowls (Set of 4)
These compact bowls are perfect for side soup portions, rich bisques, or individual servings of creamy starters. Their embossed styling matches the larger stoneware sets, so they make an ideal small companion piece.
Specs:
- Capacity: 7 ounces
- Dimensions: about 3.5” W
- Material: Ceramic
Pros: Stackable, oven- and microwave-safe, easy to store. Cons: Limited for full meals due to size.
5. Best Splurge Bowls: Le Creuset 8-Ounce Stoneware Mini Round Cocotte
The Le Creuset mini cocotte is a beautiful, high-quality option for individual servings. Each piece includes a lid, which is useful for heat retention and stylish presentation. These work equally well for individual soups, custards, and single-serve desserts.
Specs:
- Capacity: 8 ounces
- Material: Stoneware
- Heat Tolerance: High oven temperatures
Pros: Excellent heat distribution, attractive finish, lid included. Cons: Sold individually, so collecting multiples is pricier.
6. Best Holiday Bowls: Spode Christmas Tree Collection Stacking Bowls (Set of 4)
Seasonal bowls add personality to holiday tables. Spode’s classic Christmas Tree stacking bowls are festive, stackable, and sized for serving soups, sides, and snacks during holiday gatherings.
Specs:
- Capacity: around 20 ounces
- Material: Earthenware
- Design: Classic holiday motif, stackable for storage
Pros: Timeless design, dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Cons: Seasonal usage limits year-round versatility.
Other Bowls I Researched
I also looked at novelty and specialty options — pumpkin-shaped lidded bowls, recycled glass soup bowls, insulated stainless-steel bowls, and designer cereal bowls. Each has strengths (cute presentation, sustainability, insulation) and tradeoffs (fragility, microwave limits, higher cost). Choose based on how you plan to use the bowls most often.
What to Look for When Choosing a Soup Bowl
Size & Capacity: Consider whether you need side portions or meal-sized bowls. Capacity varies widely; average dinner bowls are about 7 inches across, while small side bowls are closer to 3.5 inches.
Material: Ceramic, stoneware, porcelain, glass, and insulated steel all behave differently. Thicker walls retain heat longer; glass and thin metal may transfer heat quickly.
Shape & Design: Shallow wide bowls display food beautifully, while deeper, narrower bowls are better for noodle soups and broths to reduce splashing.
Other Features: Lids, stackability, oven/microwave/dishwasher safety, and durability matter for daily use and storage.
My Favorite Soup Recipes
Here are a few of my go-to soup recipes that pair well with the bowls above: Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup (and a creamy version), Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup, and The Best Broccoli Cheese Soup (a popular Panera-style copycat). These crowd-pleasing recipes work with a range of bowl styles depending on portion and presentation.
Prices and availability were accurate at the time of the original publication.