It’s time for everyone’s favorite fall flavor. Pumpkin spice and all things nice are popping up on menus all over town. From breakfast and coffee to ice cream or cocktails, here’s the lowdown on where to find inventive concoctions featuring that distinctly autumnal spice combo.
Astro Beer Hall
Pumpkin and other fall flavors find their way into more than coffee at this Shirlington brewpub known for fried chicken in many forms, (fingers, wings, sliders, sandwiches) and a robot that makes doughnuts to order. Toast the season with a pint of pumpkin ale, a pumpkin marg, an apple cider slushie or a decadent espresso martini with notes of pecan pie. Sip while you play classic arcade games in the game room. // 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Best Buns
This bakery and sandwich maker is going all out for fall with pumpkin spice cupcakes, pumpkin raisin cookies and apple pie danish. Enjoy your pastry of choice with a pumpkin spice latte—served hot or cold to account for seasonal weather swings. Little ones may enjoy frosted sugar cookies in the shapes of ghosts and jack-o’-lanterns. // 4010 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Good Company Doughnuts
Doughnuts are made fresh daily in seasonal flavors at this family- and veteran-owned cafe in Ballston and Amazon’s Met Park. On the menu now find pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin spice latte cake, along with pumpkin cake doughnuts. Or pick up a tray of Halloween-themed mini doughnuts decorated to look like monsters, ghosts and spiders until the end of October. // 672 N. Glebe Road, Arlington and 1350 S. Eads St., Arlington
Jake’s Ice Cream
Fill a cup or cone with a taste of the season at this Barcroft Plaza shop that trains and employs adults with disabilities. On the menu now: pumpkin pie ice cream; Witches Brew (dark chocolate ice cream with spooky sprinkles, Rice Krispie treats, fudge brownies and a green marshmallow swirl); and Frankenstein’s Oreo (a green variation of cookies-and-cream with six different types of Oreo cookies). Pick two of flavors and have them made into a custom ice cream cake. // 6353 Columbia Pike, Falls ChurchÂ
La Coop Coffee
Stay warm when the temps start to drop with a house-made pumpkin milk latte—a cozy beverage that blends fall spices and real pumpkin sweetened with condensed milk. Every purchase at this family-owned business supports Guatemalan farmers and their communities. CEO Juan Luis Salazar Cano founded the cooperative in his hometown of Union Cantinil, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, introducing environmentally-friendly farming techniques, quality controls and a micro-loan program to the area. // 4807 1st St. N., Arlington
Lightning Coffee
Named after the Lightning Motor Oil Co. that occupied the same location at the turn of the 20th century, this Rosslyn coffee shop inside the new food hall, Upside on Moore, is serving up a Pumpkin Mocha made with real pumpkin, Dutch cocoa and warm spices blended with espresso. Order it long, hot or iced. //1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Surreal
This insta-worthy fall treat comes from Surreal pastry Chef Barbara Whettell. The Pumpkin Spice Muffin is filled with cream cheese frosting and pecans. It’s available through Thanksgiving. // 2117 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
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Ted’s Bulletin
You can dig into breakfast all day long at the Ballston outpost of this chainlet known for its house-made Ted’s Tarts, now available in fall flavors like classic apple or bright orange peanut butter cup. Stop by in the evening for November-y cocktails, including the Harvest Smash made with Bulleit bourbon, apple cider, cinnamon, lemon and orange bitters. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)Â
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
It may be fall, but it still feels summery enough (sometimes) for a nice cold cone. This National Landing newcomer is scooping up several autumnal flavors, including pumpkin cheesecake with a cheesecake swirl and pieces of graham cracker crust; Carrot Cake Dulce de Leche Swirl; and vegan Sweet Potato Marshmallow Pie. If you’re partial to sipping your dessert, opt for a Pumpkin Spice Chai Milkshake made with pumpkin cheesecake ice cream, pumpkin spice chai, drizzles of caramel and whipped cream on top. The seasonal offerings run until Nov. 28. // Â 269 19th Court S., Arlington (National Landing)
Village Sweet
It may be difficult to choose which pumpkin-flavored delight to go for at Dawn Hart’s Westover bakery. Current goodies include pumpkin-cranberry bread, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and pumpkin-spice latte layer cake, plus doughnuts, cookies and more. Seasonal items rotate daily. Check Instagram each morning for the latest offerings. // 5872 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover)