Schenectady Soup Stroll Winners Announced

32 downtown eateries competed in the 10th annual culinary event

Feb. 1, 2026 at 1:47pm

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The winners have been announced for the 10th annual Downtown Schenectady Soup Stroll, which brought thousands of people to the city to sample a variety of soup flavors from 32 participating locations. Attendees voted for their favorites, while a panel of judges also selected winners in categories like Best Overall, Most Instagram Worthy, Most Creative, and Best Atmosphere.

Why it matters

The Soup Stroll is a long-running annual event that showcases the culinary talent and community spirit of downtown Schenectady. It draws visitors to support local businesses and highlights the city's growing food scene, which has seen an influx of new restaurants and eateries in recent years.

The details

The event featured 32 locations across downtown Schenectady, with attendees sampling the soup offerings and voting for their favorites. A panel of judges, including local food writers and critics, also selected winners in various categories. The top winners included Lily P's for their Bussin' Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Vice & Virtue for their Root Vegetable Bisque, and Ya Ya's House of Southern Cuisine for their Collards Green Soup.

  • The 10th annual Downtown Schenectady Soup Stroll took place on Saturday, February 1, 2026.

The players

Lily P's

A downtown Schenectady restaurant that won first place in the People's Choice Best Overall and Most Instagram Worthy categories for their Bussin' Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Cheesy Focaccia Croutons.

Vice & Virtue

A Schenectady restaurant that won first place in the People's Choice Most Creative and Judge's Choice Best Overall categories for their Root Vegetable Bisque with Smoked Crispy Pork Belly and Maple Chili Garlic Crisp.

Ya Ya's House of Southern Cuisine

A Schenectady eatery that won first place in the People's Choice Best Atmosphere and Judge's Choice Best Atmosphere categories for their Collards Green Soup with Smoked Turkey.

Jack Carp

A judge for the Soup Stroll, who is from the local media outlet Two Buttons Deep and Around Schenectady.

Nellie Ackerman

A restaurant writer and commercial photographer who served as a judge for the Soup Stroll.

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What’s next

The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp. stated that they expect many of the Soup Stroll participants will see an increase in customers returning to their restaurants in the coming weeks, as the event helped drive traffic to support local businesses.

The takeaway

The Schenectady Soup Stroll has become an annual tradition that showcases the city's thriving food scene and community spirit. The event's growth over the past decade demonstrates the enduring appeal of unique local dining experiences that bring people together around shared culinary passions.