Eugene may get dark and stormy in the fall and winter, but with the chillier weather comes the perfect excuse for cozy sweaters, fluffy blankets and big bowls of hearty, comforting soups. Not much of a cook? No problem! These Eugene restaurants are making some of the best soups to keep you warm all winter long.

Vietnam Restaurant

Serving up some of the most flavorful Vietnamese noodle soups in town, Vietnam Restaurant packs each bowl with spices, aromatics, herbs and fresh vegetables. Whether you’re a vegetarian or a meat lover, this restaurant has a soup for you. Their classic pho is warming, filling and budget-friendly, delivering a flavorful kick. Pho may be the most popular choice, but if you’re feeling adventurous, try the bun bo hue — also known as spicy beef noodle soup. The beef broth is made in-house and filled with tender pieces of beef, bouncy noodles and crisp vegetables.

“It is my comfort meal. It’s so filling and warm. You can’t beat it,” Owen Stevens, a Vietnam Restaurant regular, said. Each soup is packed with rich flavors that make every bowl a satisfying experience.

Falling Sky

This local brewery and restaurant has been a Eugene favorite for over 10 years, and for good reason. Known for dishes made with local ingredients, talented chefs and some of the best comfort food in town, Falling Sky is serving a seasonal butternut squash soup this fall that’s not to be missed. This rich, creamy soup offers a complex blend of squash, spices and herbs, creating a balance of sweetness and earthiness in each spoonful.

“It’s funny, I come here just for this soup—it’s warm, comforting and you can taste how fresh the ingredients are.” Rachel Nguyen, a Falling Sky regular, said. Falling Sky may be best known for its unique, locally crafted beers, but don’t overlook the soup—it’s some of the best in Eugene.

Laughing Planet

One of the most convenient restaurants on the list, Laughing Planet is the perfect quick lunch. This neighborhood gem offers a variety of salad, rice bowl and soup options, with a rotating soup selection daily. This season, however, the standout on the menu is the Vegan Chili. Vegetables may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of chili, but Laughing Planet may change that. This hearty soup is packed with black and garbanzo beans, corn, zucchini, carrots, onions, green bell peppers and celery, each ingredient contributing its own unique flavor.

“I was never able to try chili until I came to Laughing Planet and now I can’t get enough,” Carly Adams, vegan and Laughing Planet customer, said. The chili isn’t just for vegans; it’s a win for everyone. This spicy, earthy dish is sure to bring warmth even on the coldest days.

Tokyo Tonkatsu

This downtown spot brings authentic Japanese flavors to Eugene with a ramen menu packed with options for every taste. Their offerings range from the rich and creamy Tonkotsu Ramen, simmered with pork bone marrow and topped with tender chashu and a soft-boiled egg, to lighter, veggie-focused bowls like the Tanmen Ramen, filled with tofu and fresh vegetables. For those who crave a bit of heat, the Spicy Katsu Ramen delivers just that with crispy pork, chicken or tofu and a kick of special spicy sauce. With affordable prices and bold flavors, Tokyo Tonkatsu serves up comforting bowls of ramen that are sure to satisfy every craving this season. The broths are rich and brimming with umami, spice and savory notes. The noodles are fresh, springy and chewy, making these noodle soups one of the most comforting meals in Eugene.

Cornucopia

One of Eugene’s coziest spots, Cornucopia is a go-to for comforting dishes, and its soups won’t let you down this season. While they offer several options, the standout this fall is their Crock of French Onion Soup. This rich, silky roasted beef broth is layered with thinly sliced caramelized onions, topped with toasted bread, and finished with a bubbling layer of hot, melty cheese. This French classic is loved for a reason, delivering savory flavors that make it a crave-worthy choice on any chilly day.

Whether you’re craving a spicy kick, a classic comfort or a unique twist on a favorite, Eugene’s diverse soup scene has something for everyone. These local restaurants bring warmth and flavor to every bowl, making them the perfect go-to spots for the colder months. So next time the clouds roll in, grab a friend, head to one of these cozy spots and savor the season with a bowl of soup that’s sure to lift your spirits and keep you coming back for more.

‘Tis the season for unpacking your sweaters, dusting off your Docs and grabbing a pumpkin-flavored treat. Fall is here, and Eugene’s cafes and bakeries are stocked with all the seasonal treats of your dreams. From pumpkin pie bars at Noisette Bakery to monster whoopie pies at Sweet Life Patisserie, you can’t go wrong. Enjoy these fall-inspired bites while they’re still available.

Noisette Bakery’s pumpkin pie bars

What screams fall more than pumpkin pie? For your yearly dose of this autumn classic, Noisette Bakery has you covered. Their pumpkin pie bars are back for the season and do not disappoint. The bar is cut from full pumpkin pies and fashioned into delicious, on-the-go treats.

These pie bars are a hot commodity come fall. “People start asking for it in September, but we try to hold out until October,” Tobi Sovak, Noisette’s owner, said.

Noisette’s sweet and comforting bars will keep you coming back all season, but don’t wait too long — they’ll be gone by winter.

Acorn Community Cafe’s vegan pumpkin streusel muffin

For all the vegan pumpkin lovers, Acorn Community Cafe offers the pumpkin streusel muffin of your dreams. The muffin features a crispy, sugary top that adds the perfect crunch to every bite. Inside, it’s perfectly spiced — not too overpowering — and light and airy while still being filling. This muffin brings the ideal autumn flavor to any meal.

Sweet Life Patisserie’s monster whoopie pie

Sweet Life Patisserie is a Eugene staple, serving up some of the city’s most creative and delicious treats this season. While the bakery offers a wide variety of seasonal desserts, their monster whoopie pie stands out. This treat features a soft chocolate cookie filled with blood orange buttercream and a raspberry compote center. To top it off, the pie is decorated like an adorable monster.

The monster whoopie pie has quickly become a customer favorite. “The whoopie pie is so good, especially the raspberry center. It’s so cute but also so delicious,” Lily Andrews, a Sweet Life customer, said.

For those seeking a fall treat that’s not pumpkin-based, Sweet Life is the place to be.

Elegant Elephant Baking Co.’s gluten free pumpkin cake roll

Elegant Elephant Baking Co. is an all gluten-free bakery nestled at the base of Skinner’s Butte. This season, their specialty treat is the pumpkin cake roll — a sweet pumpkin cake with a semi-sweet cream cheese frosting center. The cake is velvety, and the creamy center perfectly complements the decadent cake.

“It’s made with extra love,” Astrid Ofstie, Elegant Elephant employee, said. Elegant Elephant’s desserts have something for everyone, no matter the dietary restriction, and it’s a must-try this season.

Hideaway Bakery’s fresh apple hand pies

For all the apple pie lovers, Hideaway Bakery has your fix: fresh apple hand pies. The pies are described as “cinnamony, gooey and homey,” Samantha Vega, Hideaway Bakery employee, said.

The hand pie is the perfect fall treat on the go and transports you to a nostalgic time of eating apple pie at the holidays. The rich spiced apple filling is wrapped in a perfectly crisp golden crust, creating a delicious contrast that will have you reaching for another.

Don’t miss out on Eugene’s delicious fall desserts — once the season ends, so do these special menu items. Whether spooky monster whoopie pies or pumpkin pie bars are your craving, these bakeries have the treat for you. Grab your favorite seasonal treat before it’s too late!

With fall in full swing, it’s the perfect time to utilize seasonal ingredients in your kitchen. One well-planned grocery shop can provide everything you need for these three fall-inspired dinner recipes. Using ingredients like local butternut squash and fresh goat cheese, these recipes will leave you feeling cozy and satisfied while maximizing convenience.

Crispy butternut squash with pumpkin ravioli and goat cheese

Ingredients

• 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 1 package of Trader Joe’s pumpkin ravioli
• Herbed goat cheese
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Pumpkin pie seasoning

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Slice your butternut squash lengthwise, remove the seeds and peel the squash.
3. Toss butternut squash cubes in olive oil, salt and pepper, and add a pinch of pumpkin pie seasoning. The pumpkin pie seasoning will add a slight sweetness, giving your butternut squash a deeper flavor.
4. Cut the squash into ½ inch cubes.
5. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.
6. While the squash roasts, cook the pumpkin ravioli according to package instructions.
7. Plate the ravioli, top with roasted butternut squash and crumble herbed goat cheese over the dish. Drizzle a little olive oil on top if desired, and serve!

Butternut squash soup with hearty sourdough croutons

Ingredients

• 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Pumpkin pie seasoning
• 1/2 loaf of sourdough bread, cubed
• Butter

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until softened and fragrant. Be sure to not make your pan too hot or the garlic will burn, making the dish bitter.
2. Add the cubed butternut squash, vegetable broth, salt, pepper and a dash of pumpkin pie seasoning. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the squash is tender (about 20 minutes).
3. Using an immersion blender (or a regular blender), blend the soup until smooth. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
4. For the croutons, melt butter in a pan and add cubed sourdough. Toast until golden and crispy.
5. Serve the soup topped with sourdough croutons and a drizzle of olive oil.

Fall flatbread with goat cheese, prosciutto, fig, kale, and honey

Ingredients

• 1 flatbread crust
• 1 cup low-moisture mozzarella or burrata cheese
• Fresh goat cheese
• Prosciutto slices
• 4 fresh figs, sliced
• 1/2 cup torn kale leaves
• Honey
• Olive oil

Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush the flatbread crust with olive oil.
2. Spread the low-moisture mozzarella (or burrata) evenly over the crust. Add crumbled goat cheese, torn kale leaves and fig slices. (The mozzarella will give you a crispier flatbread while the burrata will give you a creamier less crunchy result).
3. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.
4. Remove from the oven, lay the prosciutto slices on top and drizzle generously with honey.
5. Slice and serve warm.

As a foodie, it may seem the only options for dining are sacrificing flavor for budget or breaking the bank. But in Eugene, it’s surprisingly easy to find delicious, filling meals for under $10 and, in some cases, even less. Whether you’re a broke college student or a local looking for a quick, delicious bite, these five spots have you covered.

Slice Downtown – $5 Slices

Feeling like cosplaying as a New Yorker for lunch? Look no further! Slice Pizza offers huge $5 New York-style slices. Grab a classic cheese or mix it up with one of their rotating flavors. Considering the generous portions and variety of excellent flavors, Slice is the best choice for pizza lovers on a budget.

Lalito’s Taco Truck – $3 Tacos

Eugene is packed with taco trucks serving fresh, flavorful and authentic Mexican cuisine, and choosing just one is tricky. But Lalito’s $3 tacos stand out. “Everything is made here. We make our own tortillas, all the meat is cut by us and everything is homemade,” Patricia Contreras, Lalito’s owner, said.

The family-run business provides numerous filling options, from perfectly seasoned spicy shrimp to juicy and tender birria. “It’s really flavorful, it’s tender, it’s juicy, it has everything,” Lalito’s customer, Ben Medeiros, said about the birria tacos. Offering both vegetarian and meat options, Lalito’s has something delicious for everyone. Don’t miss their homemade hot sauces, which add the perfect heat to every bite.

Ume Grill – $3.50 Onigiri

A neighborhood gem for those seeking something different, Ume Grill offers scrumptious onigiri (Japanese rice balls) for just $3.50. These handheld snacks are stuffed with flavor-packed fillings like salmon, tuna or crispy tofu, making a light but satisfying meal on the go.

“I love the convenience of Onigiri,” Jake Snyder, a Ume Grill customer, said. “I like to buy a few and just put them in my backpack to snack on them between my classes.”

If you’re new to onigiri, the tuna furikake (Japanese rice seasoning) is the perfect salty, umami-packed introduction to a Japanese classic.

Sunrise Market – $6.99 Banh Mi

Nestled in the back of one of Eugene’s best Asian markets is a deli worth visiting. Full of a variety of authentic and fresh grab-and-go options, many of their products could have made this list, but the banh mi takes the cake. Priced at just $6.19, it can’t be beat. The crusty baguette, stacked with pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro and tender pork or seasoned tofu, creates an unmatched combination of herbaceous, savory flavors and crunchy textures. For under $7, you get a fantastic, fresh Vietnamese-style sandwich that feels like a steal.

Barry’s Delicatessen – $9.25 Soup and Bialy

Barry’s is a local Jewish deli, serving fresh-baked bialys and various delicious soups, including matzo ball and lemony chicken and rice. A standout, the Hungarian mushroom soup, is a hearty, dill-infused option packed with mushrooms in a thick, stroganoff-like broth.

“You can’t go to Barry’s and not get soup,” Barry’s regular Louie Jameson said. “Every time I come, I tell myself I’ll only get a coffee, but I always leave with a bowl of soup.”

A cup of soup paired with a toasted butter bialy costs $9.25, creating a filling and comforting lunch, particularly perfect for the colder months. The atmosphere feels like a comforting hug, and the staff is always welcoming, making each visit a delight.

In Eugene, delicious food doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. These five meals are easy on the wallet and sure to satisfy. Each spot offers a unique Eugene atmosphere and serves delicious food without sacrificing quality. No matter what you’re craving, you can find something to love at one of these restaurants.