Soup Bowls
Soup bowls are deep-set bowls designed to hold hot liquid-based starters and mains in pubs, cafés and hotels, typically capacity 25-40cl with a narrower opening than a pasta bowl to retain heat. The key buying consideration is heat retention and a secure handle-free grip profile for safe carrying by front-of-house staff. “Soup bowls” is the plain buyer term, sometimes searched as “consommé bowls” for the handled variant.
Key specifications
Soup bowls typically hold 30-50cl in a deep, often footed or lugged profile that keeps heat in and is easy to carry. Vitrified porcelain and stoneware are the mainstays for their heat retention and chip resistance under daily service, with some ranges offering handled or two-eared soup cups for cafés and care-home dining. A rolled rim aids stacking and reduces chipping, and wider cappuccino-style bowls double for hearty soups and stews. Look for microwave- and dishwasher-safe bodies for high-turnover pubs, restaurants and canteens.
Soup Bowls — FAQs
What size bowl suits a starter portion of soup?
Starter soup portions typically suit a 25-30cl bowl, while a heartier lunch or main-course soup calls for 35-40cl capacity.
Do soup bowls need handles?
Handled soup bowls (consommé style) make carrying safer for servers when bowls are filled near the brim with hot liquid, and are common in hotel and care home dining where trays travel further.