It’s that time in the year when the most anticipated flavor makes its return … Pumpkin. These days, you can find it just about anywhere in just about anything. From lattes, to cheesecake, to ice cream and yes, even alcohol — this flavor has made itself stand out from the rest.
Some of the local places in Detroit have many different delicacies to curve your pumpkin spice craving, so we’ve put together a list for you to do just that.
1. Pumpkin Spice Waffle Frozen Custard Sandwich: The Custard Hut, Dearborn Heights
The Custard Hut, most famously known for their hot waffle custard sandwiches, is most definitely worth the drive out to Dearborn Heights if you’re looking for a sweet snack. Offering a number of flavors in both hard packed and custard ice cream, along with flurries, slushies, sundaes and more, this place simply does not mess around.
This Pumpkin Spice Waffle Sandwich is everything that it seems to be, and more. You can choose between four custard flavors (vanilla, chocolate, twist or flavor of the day) and any topping you want to add to the sandwich such as sprinkles, cheesecake clusters, peanuts, and the list goes on.
The Custard Hut is located at 25947 W Warren St, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127.
2. Pumpkin Pie Cream: Nice Modern Creamery, Madison Heights
Nice Modern Creamery, located in Madison Heights, has a different kind of take on a pumpkin treat with their liquid nitrogen ice cream, what they like to call “nicecream.” Why? Using liquid nitrogen to custom make every order provides a smoother texture, while also eliminating the need for extra preservatives and emulsifiers.
Their Pumpkin Cream goes above and beyond the average scoop as well — this delicious delicacy is made with real pumpkin filling, topped with whipped cream and a gingersnap cookie for an added touch.
Nice Modern Creamery is located inside Biggby Coffee at 31055 John R Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071.
3. Pumpkin Spice Latte: Stella Good Coffee, Detroit
Stella Good Coffee, located inside the Guardian Building in downtown Detroit, takes their own spin on Starbucks’ renowned Pumpkin Spice Latte that so many of us admittedly hate to love. Taking their time to make each cup a perfect one, Stella Good makes their lattes unique, mainly with — and there’s no other way to put it — better espresso.
The Pumpkin Spice Latte at Stella Good has more of a pumpkin flavor and less of the candy corn notes that you might find at Starbucks. The art of finding the perfect balance of espresso and coffee isn’t always easy, but the folks at Stella Good Coffee definitely didn’t disappoint.
Stella Good Coffee is located inside the Guardian Building at 500 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226.
4. Pumpkin Spice Latte Beer: Atwater Brewery, Detroit
Atwater definitely wasn’t messing around when they created the Pumpkin Spice Latte beer — brewed with vanilla, pumpkin, cinnamon nutmeg & coffee. At 6.8% ABV, this beer combines everything we love in life (pumpkin spice, beer AND coffee?!) into one tulip of goodness.
Made available this past August, Atwater gave us just one more reason to love their beer.
Atwater Brewery is located at 237 Joseph Campau Street, Detroit, MI 48207, or you can visit their additional location at 1175 Lakepointe St, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230.
5. Pumpkin Walnut Chocolate Chip Coconut Coffee Cake: Sister Pie, Detroit
My favorite pie shop delivers yet again, this time with something just as good, if not even better, than pie. Kick-starting their launch of fall treats is their pumpkin walnut chocolate chip coconut coffee cake — filled with so much fall flavor that we don’t even know what to do with ourselves.
Sister Pie — with their new shop set in West Village — engages the adventurous eater by experimenting with nontraditional methods and flavor combinations in sweet and savory treats. If you’re also looking for a warm, fall beverage, you can better believe they’ll have something to go right along with your sweet, pumpkin-y goodness.
Sister Pie is located at 8066 Kercheval Ave, Detroit, MI 48214.
6. Pumpkin Seeds: Germack Pistachio Co., Detroit
Ah, let us not forget where the craze all began. At Germack Pistachio Co., you can get your hands on some of your very own pumpkin seeds, known as pepitas. Germack is kind enough to shell, roast and salt them for you in order to bring out the full flavor of the seed and really get you ready for the fall season.
If you’re not quite sure how to eat them, try tossing them into a salad or adding them to your next batch of home baked bread. The folks at Germack recommend mixing them with some of their jumbo dark raisins and roasted almonds for a tasty fall snack while on the go.
BONUS: Germack also sells teas, spices and coffee by the pound. So be sure to grab some of their Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea — set to be put out on shelves soon!
Germack Pistachio Co. is located at 2517 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207.
7. Pumpkin Donuts: Dutch Girl Donuts, Detroit
Open since 1947 at the same original location at 7 Mile and Woodward in Detroit, Dutch Girl Donuts has been bringing smiles to Detroiters every day. And for an even better smile, check out their pumpkin donut, a fall favorite since the very beginning.
Made from scratch and fresh throughout the day, these pumpkin donuts will take your taste buds away to the land of pumpkin patches and apple orchards in one little bite.
Dutch Girl Donuts is located at 19000 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48203.
8. Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream: Ray’s Ice Cream, Royal Oak
Ray’s Ice Cream is home to 50+ ice cream flavors, so it’s no surprise that they offer something as delicious as the seasonal and limited time only Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream that is a can’t-miss treat of the season.
Mixed in with tiny cookie pieces and pumpkin pie mix, this special blend definitely hits the spot. Find your way to this 60s style parlor at the north end of Royal Oak to enjoy this fall treat while you can.
Ray’s Ice Cream is located at 4233 Coolidge Hwy, Royal Oak, MI 48073
9. Pumpkin Roll: Astoria Pastry Shop, Detroit/Royal Oak
Astoria Pastry Shop, located in both Detroit’s Greektown and downtown Royal Oak, gives us another sweet fall dessert with their Pumpkin Roll. This delicious treat takes the form of a soft pumpkin bread, smothered in a sweet buttercream, rolled and sliced to serve.
Not satisfied yet? Astoria also makes an undoubtedly tasty Pumpkin Cheesecake, set to hit their counters in October.
Astoria Pastry Shop is located in both Detroit and Royal Oak at 541 Monroe Ave, Detroit, MI 48226 and 320 S Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067.
10. Pumpkin Whoopie Pie: Avalon International Breads, Detroit
The bakers at Avalon International Breads finally went overboard with this reinvention of the classic American Whoopie Pie — two soft pumpkin cookies filled with a buttercream filling. Totally irresistible.
Ingredients: Pumpkin, organic wheat flour, Amish eggs, sweet cream butter, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, baking soda, baking powder, and vanilla extract. Filling: Cream Cheese, powered sugar, sweet cream butter, and vanilla extract.
Avalon International Breads is located at 422 W Willis St, Detroit, MI 48201.
11. Pumpkin Martini: Centaur, Detroit
Among Centaur‘s menu of 28 listed martini beverages lives the seasonal Pumpkin Martini — perfect for those needing a little kick to go along with their pumpkin craving. This seasonal blend is mixed with spiced rum, coffee liquor and pumpkin spice — all ingredients we know are quite hard to refuse.
Available only for a limited time, smack your lips on this hidden gem on weekdays from 4:00 — 7 p.m. for their happy hour special of five dollars.
Centaur is located at 2233 Park Ave, Detroit, MI 48201.