Sept. 23 is the first day of fall, but San Diego is already getting spicy — pumpkin spicy, that is. Many local businesses have updated their menus for the season, and we’ve rounded up 10 pumpkin spice destinations — whether you like the flavor a latte or you’re gourd with the occasional treat.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters | Locations vary
This local coffee chain has some tricks that go beyond the classic pumpkin spice latte (PSL). On its seasonal menu, you’ll find cold foam and the “Dirty Pumpkin” that mixes pumpkin and mocha.
Better Buzz Coffee Roasters | Locations vary
Here’s the tea, pumpkin flavors aren’t reserved for coffee at this chain. You can get a PSL or cold brew with pumpkin cold foam, but a pumpkin chai sounds equally cozy.
Pop Pie Co. + Stella Jean’s | Locations vary
Pumpkin pie is back on Pop Pie Co.'s menu, but the fall classic is taken to another level when it’s blended with Stella Jean’s ice cream and transformed into the Pumpkin PiesCream.
Wolfie’s Carousel Bar | Little Italy
As fall comes back around, this trendy restaurant is serving up a Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini made with vodka, coffee liqueur, cold brew, house-made pumpkin spice syrup, and nutmeg.
Spill the Beans | Gaslamp Quarter + Seaport Village
The Basic Witch is back — an iced latte made with the cafe’s pumpkin pie sauce. In fact, you can add the seasonal sauce or pumpkin spice cold foam to any drink for 50 cents.
Donut Bar | Downtown San Diego
Chef Santiago Campa found a way to pump up Donut Bar’s award-winning cruller by making the Pumpkin Latte French Cruller. It’s topped with pumpkin mousse and comes with a pipette filled with pumpkin crema.
Salt & Straw | Locations vary
September brings the Harvest Festival Series to the menu, and that includes Pumpkin Spiced Tiramisu.
Pro tip: Salt & Straw updates flavors monthly. We don’t know what October has in store, but we’d be caught off-gourd if pumpkin wasn’t on the menu.
House of Black Coffee | Locations vary
This chain calls its PSL “Bae-sic,” but it comes topped with pumpkin-spiced caramel whipped cream — or, dig into a pumpkin crêpe, muffin, or slice of bread.
S3 Coffee Bar | Grantville
If you love PSLs, this coffee shop takes it to the next level with the Pumpkin Cookie Butter Latte (or Pumpkin Cookie Butter Cold Foam). It pairs perfectly with the Falling For You Toast made with pumpkin cream cheese, sliced almonds, and cinnamon.
Bear Buns Bakery | Serra Mesa
You’ll fall in love with the Maple Pumpkin Muffin, made from scratch daily at this sweet spot. And seasonal pumpkin drinks are back that pair perfectly, including the Pumpkin Vietnamese Coffee.
