How To Host A Soup Dinner Party That Will Impress Anyone

Host a cozy soup dinner party with this delicious menu. This is a great fall and winter idea for entertaining at home. Find out how to serve soup at a dinner party, what to serve with soup, and how to set a beautiful cozy tablescape with these easy dinner party menu ideas and menu.

soup dinner party

How to Host a Soup Dinner Party 

Let’s play a game. It’s the middle of fall or winter, you’re not into football or awards shows, but you still want to host a party. What do you do?

How about hosting a soup dinner party with lots of rustic and earthy accents!

That’s exactly what I’ve created here, and I certainly hope you’ll be inspired. As a matter of fact, I’ve created a different themed dinner party ideas for each month in hopes that gathering around the table will become less theoretical, and more of a reality. 

A soup party at home includes comfort food, a welcoming table setting, and charming accents. Check out our menu and recipe links, and additional ideas to help you with your planning. This is the perfect idea for casual entertaining at home.

soup dinner party table setting
soup menu ideas

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Beautiful Tablescape  

Coming up with ideas for a table setting is always my favorite part. I really LOVE how this table turned out as it highlights rustic and organic elements.

  • Use an interesting pattern to cover the table, like this Kantha quilted throw. They are a hand-sewn tradition in India, and are made from fabric remnants so you get a gorgeous combination of colors and patterns. Plus, they’re reversable! They make terrific table covers, picnic blankets, bed throws, or sofa/chair throws. It really sets the tone for this earthy palette of colors too.
  • Speaking of earthy, the place settings couldn’t be more so! Use individual wooden cutting boards as “plates” to hold the bread bowls of soup. Place a ceramic tile underneath, for a layered look. Grab some mini wooden plates from Crate & Barrel to hold the salad.
  • The centerpiece is a vintage soup tureen I picked up at a thrift store, and makes second helpings easy to retrieve for guests. Small bowls of olives & stuffed peppers are placed on the table so they’re easy to nibble on.
  • Small pots of herbs double as party favors for guests to take home. Each one has a plant marker with guest’s name written on it. The plants are a nice alternative to flowers for this particular setting, and the fragrance is intoxicating.
  • Set up a welcome table so guests can grab a small shot of soup and a hot toddy cocktail as they head into the party.
table setting for soup dinner party
soup table setting

Soup Party Menu 

To help you plan, I’ve laid out the menu and recipes for you. Of course, if you have your own favorites you can incorporate those as well.

  • I wanted this dinner to have lots of seasonal flavors. Welcome guests with a tray of spiced apple hot toddies. They’re a fun way to get the party started. 
  • Another fun idea is to offer butternut squash soup shots right off the bat. Serve them on the welcome table as guests enter.
  • Serve one or two hearty soups since this is a seated dinner party (see recipes at bottom).
potter herb party favors and place card
soup and salad party ideas

PARTY TIP: For a variety of soups, try setting up a soup bar instead. 

cheese and fruit board
beet and green salad

What to Serve with Soup at a Dinner Party

Items that pair well with soup are varied and will depend on the type of soup you’re serving. In general you want to add sides that compliment the soup in texture and flavor.

soup and salad dinner party

Sides for a Soup Party

When you want side dishes that are a bit heartier, try one of these recipes.

serve soup in a bread bowl

How to Serve Soup at a Dinner Party

  • Serve a big batch of soup in a vintage style soup tureen. Place it in the center of the table for a pretty and functional centerpiece. 
  • Bread bowls make a fantastic presentation to serve soup in, and it’s edible! Put one at each place setting and fill it to the rim with soup. This is a unique detail for home entertaining.
  • Remember those soup shots we welcome our guests with? Those can be served in vintage demitasse cups, shot glasses, or these cute espresso cups.
ideas for a soup dinner party

PARTY TIP: Pick up bread bowls from Panara for about $2 a piece. Call a day or two ahead to make sure they’ll have enough for your needs.

dinner party dessert mini dump cake

Dessert to Serve

Since you’re probably hosting this party in fall or winter you’ll want a dessert that’s tailored to the season.

party bar welcome table
party bar sign on stone
hot toddy welcome drinks
soup shots on welcome table

Soup Recipes

There you have it, the perfect plan for a cozy soup dinner party with friends. I hope these party ideas inspire you to entertain during the cold, dark winter nights.

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6 Comments

  1. I’m going to borrow all of this and then Invite everyone but my hubby, as he would complain for a week about beets and pumpkin spice. Thanks for the tip about bread bowls at Panera! I honestly never thought of that and I live five minutes away from one.

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