A Taste Of Autumn: Pumpkin, Spice And Everything Nice

Fall is on its way, and local restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops are embracing the season with flavors to match. From pumpkin and apple to cinnamon, maple and warm spices, seasonal menus offer plenty of ways to enjoy a taste of autumn. Whether it’s a cozy drink, a sweet treat or a hearty meal, neighborhood spots offer fall favorites for every appetite.

Flavors vary weekly at Black Market Bakers (check social media for updates), but expect apple, chai, pumpkin, s’mores and all things warm and fall. Recent menu stars include a cinnamon crunch Danish, a pumpkin chocolate chip scone, a chai snickerdoodle, a s’mores cream bun and a Dutch apple cruffin. Gluten-free items are available.

Pumpkin, pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice latte are just a few of the tried-and-true seasonal flavors to expect from local favorite Always Ice Cream Company. Pumpkin Smith Island cake and apple cinnamon cookie dough add fun and unexpected twists to the ice cream lineup.

Customers at The Big Bean can snag apple pie scones to eat as they sip on coffee drinks topped with pumpkin cold foam. Other fall-inspired drinks include a snickerdoodle chai, a banana bread cold brew and a maple honey latte. Hot apple cider is another seasonal favorite as the mornings get just a bit chillier.

Garten’s fall lunch and dinner menus offer savory flavors like butternut squash, pecan and apple. Oktoberfest runs through October 4 and promises hearty favorites like stuffed pretzels and sauerbraten Reubens. Don’t miss the Harvest Basket, a beer cocktail made with Pherm Brewing Company’s Thank You Mr. Marzen, orange- and clove-infused vodka, and honey crisp apples.

Looking for a little taste of fall at Garry’s Grill? Top off a traditional breakfast with homemade pumpkin beignets or keep it simple and opt for a classic pumpkin muffin.

Oktoberfest runs all month at Park Tavern, with classic dishes including pork schnitzel, a bratwurst sandwich, braised sauerbraten and a cherry apple strudel. Don’t miss the Spice Spice Baby, a cold brew espresso martini served over ice with pumpkin cream foam and topped with pumpkin spiced coffee beans. Or, opt for the Sip Your Heart Out, featuring Tito’s vodka, lemon juice, scratch-made apple cider syrup and a salted bourbon caramel rim.

At Rise Up Coffee, hot and iced coffee shows up for fall in flavors like pumpkin bread, maple cream, s’mores, flannel (a pumpkin and maple combo), toasted marshmallow cold foam and Rise Up’s fall seasonal drip coffee, Migration.