Nothing feels more like fall than that first sip of a pumpkin spice latte — iced, of course, because Northeast Florida and 90-degree weather through October. As much as I’d like to don my 2008 Uggs and oversized cardigan, it just isn’t happening until at least mid-December. So, until then, I intend to channel those brisk autumn days with all the pumpkin spice and fall-flavored goodness!
READ: Just Trying to Be a Basic Fall B in Florida
No shade, but we promise it’s okay to branch out from Starbucks. From cold brews to beer and all the donuts in between, Jacksonville is brimming with coffee shops and breweries full of local fall flavor. Light your favorite pumpkin-scented candle (I love The Candle Garden‘s Toasted Pumpkin) and check out a few of our favorite local pumpkin-esque drinks, eats, and treats.
Coffee Shops
1985 Coffee (Atlantic Beach): The charming 1985 Coffee is again offering its Pumpkin Spice Latte, made with a delicious homemade vegan syrup, alongside its seasonal Stars Hollow Latte (butterscotch latte with vanilla coldfoam, inspired by — who else? — the Gilmore Girls).
Bitty & Beau’s (San Marco): The upbeat and uplifting Bitty & Beau’s in San Marco just released their fall menu, featuring their Brown Butter Chai Latte, Maple Cream Cold Brew, and classic PSL.
Foxtail Coffee Co. (Ponte Vedra Beach, San Marco): Foxtail Coffee‘s mouth-watering fall menu is now out and features the Maple-Berry Latte, Maple Pancake Latte, Spiced Cappleccino, and the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Ground Level (downtown): Located on the ground level of the Bank of America Building downtown and under the same ownership as 1985 Coffee, Ground Level will be offering their delicious homemade vegan pumpkin syrup in whatever your heart desires, alongside their seasonal Stars Hollow Latte.
INK Factory Brewing (Jacksonville Beach): Typically known for its tap beers, INK Factory also has an amazing attached coffee shop and espresso bar (open 8 a.m.–3 p.m., with cold brew served all day) and is now offering its Autumn Crumble (cookie latte with pumpkin cold foam, topped with Biscoff cookie crumble), Nana’s Recipe (caramel and apple latte with cinnamon, Sunday Mornin’ (maple and shortbread latte), and other delicious fall concoctions.
Jacksonville Coffee Company (Beach & Kernan, Southside): Jacksonville Coffee Company‘s fall menu is out now and includes their PSL, Banana Bread Latte, Maple Apple Chai, and Pumpkin Pie Cold Foam Cold Brew.
Le Petit Paris Cafe (Atlantic Beach, Intracoastal, Southside): The adorable cafe known as Le Petit Paris has a rotating fall menu, and we are so here for it! From a Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte and the Pumpkin Butter Latte (pictured) to a Fall Sangria, get your autumn fix in a cozy, cute atmosphere.
Mechanism Coffee Roasters (Baymeadows): Located near IKEA, the cozy Mechanism offers its house-made Pumpkin Spice Latte, Apple Cinnamon Chai, and Maple Cold Brew.
Pura Bean Coffee Company (Intracoastal): Located on Beach Blvd., Pura Bean‘s housemade pumpkin spice sauce tastes just like the pie version. Try it in a cold brew or a dirty chai!
Royal Moose Coffee Company (Middleburg): Fall is in full swing at the Royal Moose Coffee Company, with their classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin White Cinnamon, Cinnamon Crunch, Camp Fire Latte, and Cinnamon Roll with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Icing.
Sippers Coffeehouse (Deerwood): Sippers‘ fall menu just hit and features flavored lattes like Marcie’s Maple Leaf (maple and butter pecan), Cozy Stars Hollow Fall (toasted marshmallow mocha), This Is Us Fall (house-made pumpkin spice), and Cider Season (apple chai). They also offer freshly baked pumpkin spice muffins and their trademark cinnamon rolls.
Southern Grounds (Neptune Beach, San Marco, Avondale, JAX Airport): Southern Grounds is a local coffeehouse favorite that boasts an abundance of fall-approved lattes, including the Cherry Mocha Chai, Toasty Pumpkin Latte, Pumpkin Cardamom, and Cherry Vanilla Macha. Fall bites will be in rotation closer to October.
Spring Park Coffee (Green Cove Springs): If you happen to be in Green Cove Springs, try the signature Pumpkin Spice Latte and other fall delights at Spring Park Coffee. Get your coffee for free if your name is on their “name of the day” sign!
The Urban Bean Coffeehouse (Orange Park): Urban Bean‘s fall menu is out now and features house-made pumpkin spice syrup (with real pumpkin!). Lattes include the Maple Syrup Latte, Maple Cream Latte, Maple White Mocha, Cinnamon Dolce Latte, and Snickerdoodle, and Apple Pie Latte.
READ: Meet Our Favorite Local Coffee Shops in Jax
Breakfast & Brunch
Another Broken Egg Cafe (various locations): Another Broken Egg Cafe just released their Apple Fritter French Toast (with fried apples, rum butter sauce, blueberries and powdered sugar) and Pumpkin Crunch Waffle (pumpkin-infused graham cracker crunch Belgian waffle, spiced pumpkin butter, and maple pumpkin syrup).
Denny’s (various locations): Available for a limited time, Denny’s famous Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes are here, made with pumpkin pie filling and topped with glazed pecans and a rich pecan pie sauce.
First Watch (various locations): First Watch‘s seasonal menu includes the Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast, Maple Bacon Croissant Sandwich, and Pumpkin Spice Donuts, available now!
Metro Diner (various locations): Definitely don’t miss Metro Diner‘s seasonal selection for breakfast or brunch.
Sweet Treats
Cinotti’s (Jacksonville Beach): Cinotti’s is well known for its trademark pumpkin spice donuts, which hit Sept. 26 this year. Definitely go early and order online to ensure you get some before they sell out.
Jax Bread Co. (Baymeadows): Jax Bread Co. is serving up some major autumn sweetness with its pumpkin-infused eats and drinks.
Nothing Bundt Cakes (various locations): The Caramel Apple Cider and their traditional Pumpkin Spice — with its tantalizing combination of savory pumpkin and spices, crowned with Nothing Bundt Cakes‘ signature cream cheese frosting — cakes are available now.
Parlor Doughnuts (Jacksonville Beach, Saint Johns): Parlor Doughnuts‘ fall flavors include Pumpkin Chai Cheesecake, Caramel Apple, Butter Pecan Praline, Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake, and Apple Pie, along with a few delicious drinks: Apple Spiced Chai, Pumpkin Cold Foam, Pumpkin Spice Latte, and Salted Butterscotch Latte.
Small Cakes Cupcakery & Creamery (various locations): Check out Small Cakes‘ rotating menu online and keep an eye out for their fall cupcake flavors!
Whit’s Custard (availability varies by location): In September and October, Whit’s Custard will feature fall flavors of the day — keep an eye on their calendar for details!
Breweries
Bold City Brewery (Riverside): Bold City is brewing up its fall brews just in time for BOLDtoberFEST, Sept. 23–28. Available on tap while supplies last.
Grey Matter Distillery (Atlantic Beach): Grey Matter in Atlantic Beach (you know the one — they have the cutest themes, located right by Reve Brewing!) is offering a variety of spectacular fall drinks, many with hints of pumpkin spice, butterscotch, apple, maple, and more. Their Halloween pop-up, known as “Dark Matter Distillery,” is open NOW through November 2… check it out (if you dare) before they break out their epic holiday decor!
Reve Brewing (Atlantic Beach): Keep an eye out for Reve Brewing‘s Octoberfest brews coming this month! Bonus: Their in-house Bones Pizza is amazing.
Southern Swells Brewing Co. (Jacksonville Beach): Southern Swells is releasing its fall beer, “30 Seconds to Marzen,” and is gearing up for its Fall Fest on Saturday, Sept. 27, 1–5 p.m., with local small businesses and live music.
Wicked Barley (Baymeadows): Don’t miss Wicked Barley‘s 9th annual Pumpkin Festival + Fall Market the weekend of Oct. 3–5, where they’ll be releasing their many fall-inspired options: Pumpkin Quad, Spiced Apple Cider, Pumpkin Old Fashioned (made with bourbon barrel-aged seltzer), Autumn Spritz, How ‘Bout Them Apples? Seltzer Cocktail, Pumpkin Bread Amber Ale, Pumpkin Pie Lager, and Pumpkin Spice Latte Milk Stout.
What pumpkin-spiced item is your must-have every year? What other pumpkin-flavored items have you found in our area that you are excited to try?
