What's the soup of the day?

Meaning

This is a standard question used in restaurants and cafes to ask the server about the special soup prepared specifically for that day. It is a polite, practical, and very common phrase to use when ordering food.

Examples

• Excuse me, what's the soup of the day?

  Excuse me, what's the soup of the day?

• I'm looking at the menu, but I wanted to ask: what's the soup of the day?

  I'm looking at the menu, but I wanted to ask: what's the soup of the day?

• Before we order our main courses, what's the soup of the day?

  Before we order our main courses, what's the soup of the day?

• I think I'll start with a bowl of soup. What's the soup of the day?

  I think I'll start with a bowl of soup. What's the soup of the day?

• The waiter told us what the soup of the day was before we even had to ask.

  The waiter told us what the soup of the day was before we even had to ask.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ What is today's soup?

  ✓ What's the soup of the day?

  While 'today's soup' is understandable, 'soup of the day' is the standard, natural culinary phrase used on menus and by native speakers.

• ✗ What is the soup of today?

  ✓ What's the soup of the day?

  'Soup of today' is a literal translation from other languages. In English, the set phrase is always 'soup of the day'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I'd like to start with an appetizer. ___?

  💡 Ask the waiter about today's special soup

  Show answer

  What's the soup of the day?

• Excuse me, ___? I don't see it listed on the menu.

  💡 Ask the waiter about the daily special soup

  Show answer

  What's the soup of the day?