Best soups in Sydney

Nobody in Sydney does a better Vietnamese beef noodle soup than Pho An. Fact. Not only do they open at 7am, but this enormous pho hall makes such restorative, spice-laden broth with such silky noodles and thin slices of beef that you'll scare away a winter chill just looking at it ($12-$13). 27 Greenfield Pde, Bankstown 2200. (02 9796 7826). 

There are arguments to be made for other tonkotsu ramens around Sydney but the one at Menya, with its rich porky stock and slices of roast pork, does the job without giving you that heart-attack feeling you can often get ($12.50). Ground Lvl, Shop 2, 1 Market St, Sydney 2000. (02 9267 4649). 

There's no guaranteeing it'll be on seeing as they change their menu every damn day, but if the minestrone with shreds of lamb and plenty of barley ($14) is on, order the hell out of it at 121 BC. 4/50 Holt St, Surry Hills 2010. (02 9699 1582). 

And then there's chef Lauren Murdoch's chicken soup ($16) at bistro hotspot Felix, which is probably the most soothing thing in a bowl you're likely to get in a fine dining Sydney restaurant. Ash St, Sydney 2000. (02 9240 3000). 

In the mood for traditional French onion soup with grilled cheese toast ($14) in front of a roaring fire? The Commons is offering a ‘farmhouse' menu of hearty fare to enjoy while the firewood crackles away. 32 Burton St, Darlinghurst 2010. (02 9358 1487).

Of course, if you're really trying to scare the bejesus out of anything suggesting a chill, you should probably get down to Spice I Am for one of their hot and sour soups ($13.90). Shop 1, 90 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills 2010. (02 9280 0928).