In Asheville, fall's arrival is heralded by some telltale signs: crisp mountain breezes, chunky knit sweaters, and leaves ablaze in vibrant hues.
And, of course—Pumpkin. Spice. Everything.
This warming spice blend makes its way into our world every September, turning our coffee cups into cozy, cinnamon-scented cauldrons of caffeine. And while the traditional pumpkin spice latte may be the poster child of fall beverages, there's a whole world of delicious seasonal sips waiting for you in Asheville and our surrounding towns.
Dripolator: A Wizardly Delicious Brew
Dripolator’s Fall Menu is a magical lineup of autumn-inspired sips! From the whimsical Ronald Weasley (chocolate, ginger syrup & orange zest) to the pear-fectly balanced Pear-fect Storm, every drink is brewed with fall flair. Craving something enchanting? Try the Witch’s Cold Brew, sprinkled with seasonal pumpkin spice, or indulge in liquid gold with the Gold Digger—sweet honey & butterscotch kissed with bee pollen. And of course, the PSL is back, crafted with real pumpkin and all the cozy spices.
Grind AVL: Ultimate Autumn Indulgence
Grind AVL is serving up all the cozy vibes this season with three fall-perfect creations! Sip on the Sweet Carolina Maple Latte, a smooth mix of maple and hazelnut, or treat yourself to Big Momma’s Apple Pie Latte, layered with apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a swirl of whipped cream. Craving something rich? The Harlem Harvest Mocha blends dark chocolate, pumpkin spice, and caramel for the ultimate autumn indulgence.
Recess Bakery & Baked Goods: Fall Magic in a Cup
Recess Bakery in Black Mountain is bringing the autumn magic with cozy, creative seasonal sips. Warm up with the Sleep Hallow Latte, a decadent mix of pumpkin, browned butter, maple, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and a crown of torched meringue. Or dive into the Bourbon Caramel Apple Latte, where caramel-poached apples, vanilla, nutmeg, and a whisper of bourbon essence make every sip taste like pie. For something chilled but still festive, the Iced Pumpkin Cold Foam Chai is your perfect spiced pick-me-up. 🎃✨
Bonus: Pastries & Bites
Pair your latte with a lineup that’s just as dreamy—like the fig cheesecake danish, GF spiced apple galette, or the wildly indulgent salted caramel popcorn cruffin.
Summit Coffee Grove: Cereal in your Coffee!?
Swing by Summit Coffee in the Grove Arcade to sip on cozy creations like the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte topped with crunchy cereal, the decadent Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte, the Maple Sea Salt Chai for a sweet-and-spicy kick, or the dreamy Blueberry Pie Latte with a drizzle of berry bliss. Whether you’re strolling the Arcade or catching up with friends, these drinks are basically fall in a cup.
Old Europe Pastries: Cozy Vibes in Downtown Asheville
Downtown Asheville just got cozier—Old Europe Pastries is rolling out seasonal sips that taste like autumn in every mug. Sip into their traditional Pumpkin Spice Latte, indulge with a Maple Spice Latte, or go bold with their special Toasted Marshmallow Latte that’s perfect for cool evenings.
Pair those with flaky European-style pastries for a full fall experience—croissants, quiches, muffins, and more are fresh daily. Whether you’re meandering Broadway or craving something sweet after dinner, Old Europe is the spot to cozy in and let pumpkin season take over.
The Laundry Collective: Try Something New in Black Mountain!
There’s a new spot in town pouring cozy vibes by the cup. The Laundry Collective—Black Mountain’s newest coffee shop—is rolling out autumn-ready drinks like Parkway Pumpkin Spice with pumpkin cold foam, Carolina Campfire with mocha and marshmallow syrup, and the Appalachian Orchard matcha with caramelized apple syrup. Plus, don’t miss creative twists like Carter’s Pumpkin Chai, Leaf Season London Fog, and Apple Ginger Fizz. It’s a perfect excuse to plan a fall morning in the mountains and sip your way through their dreamy new menu.
Short Sleeves: Sweet Pumpkin in Swannanoa
Rising from the comeback spirit of post-Hurricane Helene, Short Sleeves is serving up a fall drink that’s pure mountain magic. The Good Pumpkin blends real pumpkin and NC sweet potatoes simmered in fresh spices—nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cracked black pepper, and sea salt—then sweetened with maple syrup, brown sugar, and bourbon vanilla. Espresso and milk get layered in, topped with house-made fall-spiced praline pecan crumbs, and finished with nutmeg grated fresh right in front of you. If you’re going to cave to pumpkin season, make sure it’s a good one.
Yellow Mug: Pumpkin Season in Weaverville
Pumpkin season is in full swing at Yellow Mug Coffee Lounge! Cozy up with their classic Pumpkin Latte, spice things up with the Dirrty Pumpkin Chai, or savor the smooth Pumpkin Chai. Whether you’re catching up with friends or tucking into a good book, these autumn drinks make Yellow Mug the perfect stop for crisp days and cozy vibes.
Breakfast Bonus: Think stacked Breakfast Sandwiches or Bagels (with vegan options, too), creamy Avocado Toast, Biscuits n’ Gravy, French Toast, and loaded Breakfast Burritos.
Dynamite Roasting Co: Café Con Miel
Dynamite Roasting Co in Black Mountain captures the essence of fall in their Café Con Miel. This drink combines two shots of their renowned Finca Cual Bicicleta espresso with honey, whole milk, and a generous dusting of cinnamon on top. Grab one to stay and experience the warmth of this charming coffee shop that has been serving the Black Mountain community since 2008, the title of Best Coffee Roaster in the Mountain Xpress "Best of WNC" poll.
Pollen: The Basic **tch
At Pollen Coffee & Flowers, a multi-roaster cafe and floral design studio, they fully embrace the pumpkin spice mania with "The Basic **tch" – their cheeky spin on the classic pumpkin spice latte. This seasonal go-to, available hot or iced, will leave you feeling warm and cozy with its special blend of spices and your choice of milk.
High Five Coffee
High Five Coffee, now with three locations in town, serves coffees, rotating seasonal beverages, baked goods, breakfast, lunch and snacks. Come fall season, warm up with two house specialties: the Salted Maple latte, with real maple syrup, sea salt, espresso and milk; and the Punky Spice latte, made with brown sugar and all the fall spices (allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and clove), plus house-made syrup, espresso and milk.
