It may not feel like autumn in Houston, but the slight chill in the early morning air hints that fall is indeed here. Though the fall season can be brief, Houstonians know how to make the most of it, with pumpkin-spiced deliciousness that spans well beyond a Starbucks PSL. From pumpkin spice martinis to butternut squash ravioli, comforting fall flavors are well represented in local restaurants, bars, and bakeries. And, these seasonal menu additions taste even better when the city’s many outdoor patios and terraces are bustling.
Consider this list of places of where to enjoy the (slightly) cooler weather and indulge in fall flavors. Our sweater weather may feel more like sweaty weather, but a sip of an autumnal cocktail or a slice of pumpkin cheesecake is enough to believe that there are actually four seasons in H-Town.
Lyric Bar at Lyric Market
The bar inside this Downtown food hall is a convenient spot for after work or pre-theatre drinks. Throughout October and November, find autumn-inspired beverages on the cocktail menu like the apple cider mule, blood orange margarita, and pumpkin espresso martini. A campfire cocktail called the S’mores Old Fashioned is made with Woodford Reserve bourbon, marshmallow syrup, angostura bitters, and chocolate bitters and tastes like pure nostalgia. 411 Smith St., Houston, lyricmarket.com/lyricbar
Berg Hospitality Group
Berg Hospitality is making two pumpkin cocktails available across a number of the restaurants in its portfolio through the end of November, including Annabelle Brasserie, the Annie, B&B Butchers, B.B. Italia, Emilia’s Havana, Prime 131, Real Agave, the Sylvie, Trattoria Sofia, Turner’s, and Turner’s Cut. Venture into any of the concepts for the Harvest Margarita, crafted with Patron Reposado, Cointreau, pumpkin puree, and lime. Or, the Golden Fall Sour, which combines Jameson Irish whiskey, pumpkin puree, lemon, and egg white for a seasonal refresher that gets a dusting of pumpkin spice. Multiple locations, berghospitality.com
The Spot Restaurant
Both locations of this island-themed hotspot are offering a pumpkin spice margarita for the month of October, and it’s a bargain at just $6. Made with El Perrito anejo tequila, pumpkin spice puree, lime, orange juice, and ginger, the boozy bev will spice up your day, whether you’re vacationing on Galveston Island, or just hitting up the League City locale for dinner. Multiple locations, thespotrestaurants.com
The Spot Lounge & Bar
Not to be confused with the famed Galveston restaurant, this East End lounge is celebrating the changing weather with its “Sips of the Season” cocktail menu of whimsically-named drinks such as Falling for You and Apple of My Eye. For Peanuts fans, and anyone who sympathized with Linus alone in the pumpkin patch, the Great Pumpkin is a tasty blend of creamy pumpkin puree, anejo tequila, and citrus. The lounge is open from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. and there is a rotating line-up of food trucks for nosh. 2003 Emancipation Ave., Houston, the-spot-houston.com
The Waffle Bus
For the month of October, all locations of the Waffle Bus are offering a pumpkin spice shake to pair with its indulgent menu of waffles, fried chicken, and waffle sandwiches. Multiple locations, wafflebus.com
New York Deli and Coffee Shop
Bagels are boss at this deli, and this season, the beloved diner is offering a pumpkin variety, with the option to double up with pumpkin cream cheese. Go whole hog and add pumpkin spice to any beverage. 9724 Hillcroft St., Houston, nybagelsandcoffee.com
El Bolillo Bakery
This Mexican bakery has expanded to five locations since it first opened in 1998. That means more stores in which to sample its many seasonal breads and treats. The traditional pan de muerto is the essence of the season, eaten typically during Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, and used as altar centerpieces. El Bolillo is accepting preorders for the bread through November 2. Other seasonal treats include pumpkin cream cheese conchas and pumpkin tres leches cake. The Champurrado is a Mexican hot chocolate kit to take home for a party and it comes with heat-proof cups and lids. Multiple locations, elbolillobakery.com
Voodoo Doughnut
Known for its quirky, and sometimes risque treats, this Portland-based doughnut shop has launched two new limited time pumpkin treats, available at Houston-area locations through Sunday, November 2. The pumpkin spice latte doughnut is filled with pumpkin spice fluff, dipped in Magic Roast espresso frosting, and topped with caramel frosting. A less over-the-top pumpkin buttermilk bar offers subtle pumpkin flavor with a crisp exterior and sugar glaze. Multiple locations, voodoodoughnut.com
Buttermilk Baby
This colorful and magical diner-style eatery from Berg Hospitality satisfies the appetites of children and adults alike with ice cream, burgers, and buttermilk biscuits. For a limited time, it is serving up Carvel’s pumpkin soft serve ice cream as well as a pumpkin frappe, a cold brew beverage made with pumpkin pie syrup, spice, and whipped cream. 600 N. Shepherd Dr., Houston, buttermilkbaby.com
Nothing Bundt Cakes
If you missed the limited-time caramel apple cider and Biscoff cookie butter cake pop-ups earlier this fall, you still have until Sunday, December 7 to try the pumpkin spice flavor at Houston-area locations of Nothing Bundt Cakes. Topped with its signature cream cheese frosting, the seasonal flavor is available in all the bundt sizes including bundtlets and bundtinis. Multiple locations, nothingbundtcakes.com
Fielding’s River Oaks
Fielding’s popular Friday lunch service that features 25-cent martinis from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. is getting a seasonal upgrade. The drink deal now includes a pumpkin spice martini for a quarter. The addition is joined by a slew of fall specials like Korean short ribs, hokkaido scallop, and gambas al ajillo. Grab a couple of pals and start the weekend early. 3750 Westheimer Rd., Houston, fieldings.com
State Fare
Every year, Houston beer lovers get excited by the return of Saint Arnold Brewing Company’s Pumpkinator beer. State Fare is getting in on the fun by offering a three-course Saint Arnold pairing dinner through October 31. For $55, guests can enjoy the Pumpkinator with cocoa-chili braised short rib, plus a brown butter pierogi and Texas pecan tart, paired with other Saint Arnold brews. The dinner is available at all three State Fare restaurants. Multiple locations, statefaretx.com
Slowpokes
This locally-grown coffee shop has expanded to seven locations across the city, making it a convenient stop for pumpkin-spiced goodness. Its fall beverage menu includes a punkin’ pie latte, available iced or hot, plus pumpkin chai and spicy ginger chai. For those who aren’t into pumpkin spice, there’s a new salted caramel latte, as well as an iced Cookie Monster latte, made with cookie butter. Multiple locations, imaslowpoke.com
Kolache Shoppe
Fans of Kolache Shoppe’s fall favorites can grab Oktoberfest treats through Friday, October 26. The Drunken Pecan is a sweet pastry with roasted pecans, sweetened cream cheese, and bourbon-laced cajeta from local goat farm, Blue Heron Farm. The Oktoberfest kolache is a savory version with breakfast sausage, smoked provolone, and garlic sauerkraut, sourced from Scotty’s Foods. Pair with a spiced pumpkin latte or the spiced pumpkin cream cold brew. Multiple locations, kolacheshoppe.com
The Original Ninfa’s
As one of Houston’s most beloved Mexican restaurants, Ninfa’s can always be relied upon to deliver sizzling fajitas and cheesy enchiladas, but its fall specials bring a little extra excitement to the table this season. Swap out a traditional marg for the seasonal pumpkin margarita, and pair with seafood plates like pulpo asado, a dish of grilled Spanish octopus and papas bravas. When cooler autumn nights do arrive, the heritage pork chuleta is a warming dish of wood fire-roasted rib chop with lentils and delicata squash rings. 2704 Navigation Blvd., 1700 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, ninfas.com
