The craze of “All Pumpkin Everything” is here! We’ll be pumpkin-izing for a few months, and then it will be gone from existence for an entire year. There are so many foods and drinks to choose from, we’ve gathered here a list of our Charlotte favorites, including new pumpkin creations this year like pumpkin coffee beer, pumpkin wafflewiches, and pumpkin cocktails.
Maybe things get a little out of control during the fall with almost everything pumpkin flavored. But we think it’s best to make the most of it while we can, and enjoy all that our local Charlotte area restaurants have created for us.
The word pumpkin is written here over 50 times so I think it’s safe to say that you can get your pumpkin fix just about anywhere in the greater Charlotte area. We love all of these great local spots and are excited to share these pumpkin treats and events with you. Let’s get the list started with a current obsession, donuts and cupcakes, of course!
Pumpkin Donuts & Cupcakes
Sweet, light, buttery goodness. Donuts are without a doubt one of the most satisfying desserts. They don’t have to be pretty to taste good either. Pumpkin is good in just about any form, but when you layer it with the flakiness of a donut you have something magical. Cupcakes are also always a hit. Whether it is pumpkin cake or pumpkin icing or both together, it’s a fall treat destined to be on tables during the holidays.
Photo via Your Moms Donuts
Your Mom’s Donuts | Pumpkin Pie Donut
Big View Bakery | Pumpkin Cream Cheese Donut
Duck Donuts | Pumpkin Pie Donut
Joe’s Doughs | Pumpkin Cheesecake Donut
Photo via FuManChu Cupcakes
Fumanchu’s | Boxcar Pumpkin Cupcake with Cinnamon Whiskey Icing, Vegan Pumpkin Cupcake
Cupcrazed | Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcake, Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcake, Pumpkin Spice Oreo Cupcake (varies weekly)
Suarez Bakery | Pumpkin Spice Cupcake
Move That Dough Baking Co | Vegan Pumpkin Maple Donuts
Pumpkin Pies, Cakes and More
Pumpkin pie is likely the most popular dessert in the Fall. Let us not forget all the other pumpkin sweets like pumpkin cookie sandwiches, cheesecakes, cannolis and just about anything else you could dream of.
Photo via The Westin
The Westin | Pumpkin Pain Perdue (pumpkin french toast, white chocolate pumpkin sauce, pumpkin icecream)
Central Coffee Co. | Pumpkin Scones, Pumpkin Pie
Move That Dough Baking Co | Pumpkin Pecan Scones
Suarez Bakery | Pumpkin Cheesecake (also found at 204 North Kitchen & Cocktails), Pumpkin Bread
Photo via CLTsweetspots
Sunflour Bakery | Triple Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake
Inizio Pizza | Pumpkin Cannoli
Renaissance Patisserie | Pumpkin Croissants, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Spice Macaroons
Cupcrazed | Pumpkin Sugar Cookie Sandwiches (varies weekly)
Smelly Cat Coffeehouse | Pumpkin Bread, Cream Cheese Pumpkin Roll
Photo via Smelly Cat Coffeehouse
Big View Bakery | Pumpkin Spice Cake, Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies, Pumpkin Pie
Amelie’s | Pumpkin Pecan Praline Macaroons, Pumpkin Cream Cheese Danish
Whisk + Wood | Vegan Chai Pumpkin Muffin, Pumpkin Goat Cheese Scone (varies weekly)
Pumpkin Coffee & Ice Cream
Coffee and Ice Cream are some of our favorites year-round. It is no surprise that pumpkin has creeped in on these novelties. Hot, cold, sweet, and sometimes a bit savory with a little sea salt sprinkled on top. There are lots to choose from here in the Queen City like lattes, espressos, and combinations like pumpkin coffee icecream! Stop by your local coffee spot or icecream shop to get your pumpkin fix.
Photo via allyslowaymedia
Central Coffee | Pumpkin Pie Latte
Subsecreto | Pagan Pumpkin Espresso, or enjoy as a lattee
Futo Buta | Pumpkin Spice Icecream
Photo via finickylady
Golden Cow Creamery | Vegan Pumpkin Spice Icecream
Two Scoops Creamery | Pumpkin Pie Icecream
Central Coffee Co. | Pumpkin Pie Latte
Ninety’s | Pumpkin Spice Icecream Macaroon Sandwich, Pumpkin Coffee Icecream
Photo via Ninety’s
Smelly Cat Coffeehouse | Pumpkin Spice Latte
Nova’s Bakery | Pumpkin Chai Latte
Mugs Coffee | Pumpkin Spice Latte, or add pumpkin to any other drink of choice
Va Da Vie Gelato | Pumpkin Spice Gelato
Pumpkin Beer and Other Drinks
Most of our 40 some breweries in Mecklenburg and the surrounding counties brew seasonal fall beers. a few offer up pumpkin brews. There are also a couple pumpkin cocktails to take the edge off, maybe enjoy one with one of the desserts we mentioned.
Photo via finickylady
NoDa Brewing | Gordgeous Pumpkin Ale
Sycamore Brewing | Gord Have Mercy Amber Ale
Carbarras Brewing Co. | Farm Hand Pumpkin Saison
Primal Brewery | Pumpalicious Pumpkin Ale
Catawba Brewing | King Don’s Pumpkin Ale, Dunkin Punkin Brown Ale (Dunkin Donuts collaboration)
Photo via finickylady
D9 Brewing | Head of the Horseman Imperial Pumpkin Ale
Suffolk Punch | Pumpkin Cider Fizz (vodka, roasted pumpkin puree, apple cider, ginger beer)
Vivace | Pumpkin Ice and Everything Nice cocktail (pumpkin butter, espresso, caramel vodka and Baileys Irish Cream and garnished with a cinnamon and sugar rim)
Three Spirits Brewing | Ghost of Pumpkin Past
Red Clay Ciderworks | Pumpkin Spice Cider
Uniques
We have tried almost all of these these pumpkin treats but have you ever had a pumpkin pizza or a pumpkin pie wafflewich? Here are a few unique options that Charlotte’s culinary scene is whipping up. They are a little less common but equally as interesting and delicious.
Photo via EatDrinkCLT
Inizio Pizza | Crema de Zucca (pumpkin cream base, buffalo mozzarella, ricotta, basil)
Fud at Salud | Pumpkin Pie Wafflewich (homemade pumpkin pie filling between two Belgian waffles, topped with whipped cream, cinnamon and brown sugar)
Cast Iron Waffles | Pumpkin Pie Deluxe Waffle (pumpkin waffle topped with whipped cream)
Photo via Vivace
Vivace | Pumpkin Tortelloni (tortelloni stuffed with a pumpkin puree made with squash, pumpkin, ground ameretti cookies, parmesan cheese, ground walnuts and brown butter then topped with sage brown butter and shaved parmesan)
Fern Flavors | Vegan Pumpkin Cashew Mousse (with a cherry compote, aquafaba meringue, toasted pumpkin seeds and a vegan molasses sugar cookie)
Photo via Clean Juice
Clean Juice | Pumpkin Toast (homemade pumpkin butter, apple slices and cacao nibs on toasted sprouted bread)
Amelie’s | Pumpkin Bisque (homemade pumpkin bisque topped with pepitas)
Angeline’s | Pumpkin Agnolotti (ricotta, spiced pepitas, collards and hen of the woods mushrooms)
Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Farms and Fall Events
After you fill your bellies with sweet pumpkin treats, take a Saturday and head to one of our many farms or events for even more pumpkin inspired moments. Pick a pumpkin, find your way through a corn maze, take a hay ride, play games, go on a pumpkin patch tour and take photos of your friends, families and kids wearing their cool weather clothes. Visit our article for a list of pumpkin patches.
Photo via Shelby Corn Maze
Regal Farm Corn Maze | Sept. 30th through Oct. 29th: Fri 6pm-10pm, Sat 12pm-10pm, Sun 12pm-5pm. Corn box, corn cannon, rodeo, mini-maze, checkers, hay mountain. Admission prices vary.
Rescue Ranch Fall Fun Days | Oct. Saturdays 7pm-10pm. Fall Fun Days that include animal presentations, a corn maze, hayrides and pumpkin painting. Admission prices vary.
Bush-N-Vine Fall Farm Fun | Sept. 30th through Oct. 31st: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm; Saturday, 8am-4pm. Hayrides on Saturday, 9am-3pm. Hay rides, live music, food trucks, pumpkin picking. Admission prices vary.
Pumpkin Beer Fest | Oct. 21st 12pm-12am. Carolina Beer Temple at Ayrsley. Discounted pints and flights all day long.
Shelby Corn Maze | Sept. 16th through Oct. 29th, Fri 4pm-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 2pm-8pm. Over eight acres of corn maze, ride a cow train, pipe slide, apple launcher, shooting gallery, rubber duck races, jumping pillow, zip line. Admission prices vary.
Photo via Rural Hill
Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze | Day Maze: Sept. 22nd through Nov. 5th: Friday-Sunday 10am-5pm.
Night Maze: Oct 6th through Nov 4th: Friday-Saturday 6:30pm-9pm. Admission prices vary.
Country Days Corn Maze | Sept. 29th through Nov. 5th: Fri 5pm-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm; and Sun 2pm-8pm. Wizard of Oz themed corn maze, country store, jams, pumpkins, souvenirs and more. Admission prices vary.
GUTS Carving Contest | Oct. 21st 2pm. Ninth annual pumpkin carving contest, winners get cash and the rest get auctioned off to benefit Make-A-Wish. Admission $10.
The Great Pumpkin Fest | Sept. 16th through Oct. 29th, Sat and Sun 11am-5pm. Carowinds hosts tons of activities for families, friends and kids like costume parades, foam zone, and more. Admission prices vary.
Photo via Facebook
Carved: A Pig Pickin’ & Fall Fest | Oct. 21st 3pm-6pm annual pumpkin carving contest worth $100 winnings. Lenny Boy Brewing hosted by Piedmont Culinary Guild. Admission prices vary.
Anne Springs Close Greenway Fall Frolic | Sept. 30th through Oct. 29th, every day 7am-1 hour before sunset. Wagon rides, horse rides, face painting, kayaking, pedal karts, kiddie corn maze, petting zoo. Admission prices vary.
Lewis Farm Harvest Festival | Sept. 30th through Oct. 29th: Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm-6pm. Hayrides, barnyard animals, pumpkin themed games, hay bale ground and slide. Admission prices vary.
Monroe Aw Shucks! | Oct. weekends: Fri 6pm-11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 1pm-6pm. Nov. (through the 12th) Fri by reservation, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 1pm-6pm. Corn maze, hay rides, paddle boats, animal barn, mini-maze, horseshoe games and corn hole. Admission prices vary.
Lazy 5 Ranch Fall Festival | Sept. 30th through Oct. 29th, Mon-Sat 9am until 1 hour before sunset, Sunday 1pm until one hour before sunset. Corn box, marshmallow roasting, straw castle, pumpkin slingshot, wagon ride (by reservation only). Cash only, no pets. Admission prices vary.
Happy Pumpkin Season, It’s Fall Y’all!
Written by Jessica Moore | @finickylady
