Although pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie may have been childhood staples in your home around the holiday season, New York City's eating establishments have incorporated pumpkin into even the most bizarre recipes in recent years. From pumpkin beer to pumpkin custard, we've hunted down New York's best pumpkin treats for you to enjoy this fall.
- Pumpkin Cupcakes at Sugar Sweet Sunshine
This bakery offers an array of delicious cupcakes (including red velvet and pistachio), but the highlight of every visit here is the moment patrons dig their faces into one of the pumpkin cupcakes ($1.50). Topped with cream cheese icing (it tastes better than it sounds), a dozen of these treats will be the biggest hit at any holiday party. And while you're there, see if they have any of their seasonal pumpkin eggnog pudding.
Location: 126 Rivington Street (between Essex Street & Norfolk Street) - Pumpkin Pancakes at Cafe Orlin
Located in the heart of the East Village, this cozy restaurant is the perfect place for a relaxing brunch away. If the weather is nice, you might want to snag a table outside so you can take in the sights and sounds of St. Marks Place while you recover from your hangover. No matter where you end up sitting, no meal is complete without trying their pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon yogurt. Lucky for you, they’re served all year long.
Location: 41 St. Marks Place (between 1st Avenue & 2nd Avenue) - Pumpkin Muffins at Bagel Works
Judging by its name, you'd think this Upper East Side shop specializes in bagels. But once you're inside, you'll smell its true specialty: the muffins. Their pumpkin muffins ($2.25) are soft and chewy and taste best when they're fresh out of the oven. There is no place to sit inside, so we suggest grabbing a cup of coffee and heading westbound to Central Park where you can enjoy the fall foliage almost as much as your muffin.
Location: 1229 1st Avenue (between 66th Street & 67th Street) - Pumpkin Custard at Shake Shack
Shake Shack, which is just as famous for its long lines as its delicious food, is offering pumpkin spice custard on Mondays in October. Other flavors being served this month include pancake (Thursday), chocolate candied corn (Friday), and cinnamon roasted fig (Saturday). As part of its Shacktoberfest, they'll also be serving Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale through October 17th.
Location: Madison Square Park (At 23rd Street & Madison Avenue) - Pumpkin Beer at Heartland Brewery
With various locations throughout the city, it's never been easier to try Heartland Brewery's seasonal Smiling Pumpkin Ale. Available through November, this sweet and spicy beer is made with honey roasted pumpkins and simmered with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. If you feel like indulging, ask for their Seasonal Voyage tasting platter which includes five ounce samples of their six classic beers and two seasonal beers.
Locations: 35 Union Square West (between 16th Street & 17th Street), 1285 6th Avenue (at 51st Street), 93 South Street (at Fulton Street), 350 5th Avenue (at 34th Street), and 127 West 43rd Street (between Broadway and 6th Avenue)
