Nothing says fall more than the first pumpkin spice latte of the season — especially in Jacksonville, because you know the weather isn’t quite screaming, “It’s fall, y’all!” just yet. I am welcoming the cooler temperatures with open arms and would love to see some fall leaves, but of course, I will just imagine the beautiful reds and oranges as I slowly sip on my (iced) PSL. And yes I know tacos are amazing…but PSL is a seasonal thing so it just can’t be compared to Tacos.
There are several local hot spots in Jacksonville worth checking out for anything and everything pumpkin spice, because how else do we know it’s fall if we don’t eat and drink all the pumpkin things? Here are a few of our favorite local pumpkin drinks and treats:
Coffee Shops
Brass Tacks (various locations): Check out the Brass Tacks sweater weather menu which includes the classic PSL, white pumpkin latte, and pumpkin chai.
The Mini Bar (Gate Parkway): Regular or iced, you can’t go wrong with Mini Bar‘s pumpkin spice lattes with housemade syrup. They typically have weekend donut specials, so follow them on social media @minibardonuts to stay in the know. For instance, their Pumpkin French Toast donut (Pumpkin donut + Maple Glaze + Cinnamon Sugar) and Pumpkin Pie donut (Pumpkin donut + Cream Cheese Frosting + Candied Bourbon Pecan) both recently made a delicious appearance!
Sippers Coffeehouse (Deerwood): Seriously, this place is heaven on Earth. Literally, just pull into the drive-thru or walk inside and get their housemade PSL in a flash (hot or iced). Their fall menu just hit and The Great Pumpkin, Patty’s Pumpkin Spice, Charlie Brown, Kissed By a Dog, Franklin’s Funky Fall, and Lucy’s Pumpkin Praline all feature fall notes of Pumpkin. Seasonally, they offer housemade pumpkin syrup and a delicious pumpkin chai starting on the first day of fall however, this year it arrived a little early. Sippers offers a sugar-free pumpkin syrup that is not housemade. They also offer pumpkin muffins, doughnuts, etc. throughout autumn, so stay tuned to their Facebook page for updates.
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 Samoa, White Pumpkin, Pumpkin Chai, Campfire Mocha, and French Toast Crunch.
Spring Park Coffee (Green Cove Springs): If you happen to be in Green Cove Springs, the pumpkin spice latte, white pumpkin, pumpkin brulee, pumpkin chai are worth the stop at Spring Park Coffee — who knows, it may be your lucky day and your name may be on their “free coffee if your name is…” sign!
Breakfast/Brunch
Denny’s (availability varies by location): Available for a limited time, pumpkin pecan pancakes with a real pumpkin pie fillng, glazed pecans, topped with a rich Pecan Pie sauce are on the menu at Denny’s for noshing.
First Watch (availability varies by location): Spiced pumpkin pancakes are included in First Watch‘s seasonal menu, available now for your indulgence!
Sweet Treats
Cinotti’s (Jacksonville Beach): They’re known for their pumpkin spice donuts, but Cinotti’s also offers pumpkin muffins and pumpkin loaf this time of year. Definitely go early and order online to ensure you get some before they sell out.
Dairy Queen (availability varies by location): The Pumpkin Pie Blizzard is back for its season at Dairy Queen — it is noted to be perfectly sweet and creamy made with real pumpkin pie pieces (including the crust!) and blended with DQ vanilla soft-serve ice cream.
Donatos (Jacksonville Beach, Mandarin): Stay tuned for Donatos’ pumpkin spice icing-topped bread which consists of hand-tossed dough, pumpkin spread, cinnamon, crisp oat topping, and oh-so-yummy white icing will be available at Donatos.
Donut Shoppe (Arlington): Come to the Donut Shoppe for the best old-school pumpkin spice donuts. Arrive early because when they sell out, they close for the day (and don’t forget to bring cash as they are a cash-only establishment).
Doughfee (Baymeadows): Doughfee has the PSL of course, and pumpkin cheesecake donuts which are like a paradise of pumpkin in your mouth.
Ellianos (various locations): Check out Ellianos‘ pumpkin cream cheese muffin and maybe top it off with a PSL, pumpkin chai tea latte, or pumpkin white mocha while you are at it!
Nothing Bundt Cakes (availability varies by location): What is known as a tantalizing combination of savory pumpkin and spices crowned with Nothing Bundt Cakes‘ signature cream cheese frosting will be available throughout October and November.
Pie Heaven (Atlantic Beach): The name at Pie Heaven says it all — pumpkin pie by the pie and the slice. It is recommended to call ahead to place your order.
Royal Moose Coffee Company (Middleburg): all the pumpkin you will ever need; pumpkin latte, pumpkin pie moose shake, pumpkin cheesecake muffin, or a pumpkin cinnamon roll. Follow Royal Moose Coffee Company on Facebook to stay in the know.
Selina’s FriendSip Cafe (Yulee): Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin nut rolls, pumpkin pound cake, and of course pumpkin pumpkin-flavored coffee, lattes and cold foams are available throughout the PSL season. Follow Selina’s Facebook page to stay know of everything pumpkin.
Smilies Coffee (Westside): Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Breve, White Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Lattes, Pumpkin Cold Foam Cold Brew, and who knows what else are featured at this new but noteworthy coffee shop known as Smilies.
Smoothie King (availability varies by location): For a limited time, with more than 10 grams of protein, Smoothie King offers a 20-oz. smoothie made with organic pumpkin, vanilla frozen yogurt, dates, nonfat milk, protein powder, and pumpkin spice. Yum!
Sweet Theory Baking Co. (Riverside): Sweet Theory‘s pumpkin cinnamon roll happens to be vegan and gluten-free.
Tetherball Coffee (Mandarin): Get up, hit it back, and check out The Great Pumpkin and empanadas or other special treats in this bright and lively gem in the heart of Mandarin known as Tetherball Coffee.
Urban Bean Coffeehouse (Orange Park): Noteworthy pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin pie donuts, pumpkin scones — oh my, they’re just delicious at the Urban Bean. Definitely call ahead to place your order for pickup and prepay over the phone to make sure you indulge before they sell out. They also have a housemade pumpkin spice syrup that you can enjoy in any espresso beverage such as latte or cappuccino, rooibos, cold brew, drip coffee and it’s ahhhmazing in chai. BONUS: The housemade pumpkin spice syrup is dairy-free however, not quite vegan as it has a bit of honey. They also have Monin brand erythritol zero-calorie pumpkin syrup back this year.
Whit’s Custard (availability varies by location): In September, Whit’s Custard will have their Pumpkin Roll and Pumpkin Cheesecake on their daily flavor available. Check out their calendar to know when as it varies per location. We can’t wait to try both!
Yogurt Mountain (Orange Park): Perfect in our 90-degree weather Yogurt Mountain‘s NEW Pumpkin + Espresso twist yogurt! This flavor will be available for a limited time only, so try it before it falls away.
Breweries
Bold City Brewery (Riverside): Bold City has a mildly spiced pumpkin ale available on tap while supplies last.
Brewz (Atlantic Beach, Bartram Park, Riverside): Quench your thirst with a festive seasonal ale, currently on tap now at Brewz.
Southern Swells Brewing Co. (Jacksonville Beach): The autumn go-to at Southern Swells is called “This is Not a Pumpkin Beer” because it doesn’t contain any actual pumpkin, just goodness like allspice, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, and cinnamon. It is a fall spiced wheat ale at 6.2% ABV.
Wicked Barley (Baymeadows): The special releases at Wicked Barley are set to include several brews such as Nightmare in Evergreen Terrace (pumpkin spice Belgian quad). Visit their Pumpkin Festival & Fall Market October 8 for the official premiere!
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?
