Fall in NYC means crisp afternoons, colorful leaves, and a very good excuse to eat your way through the city. From pumpkin-spice everything and warm apple cider to cozy kid-friendly bites, the boroughs are serving up plenty of seasonal flavors worth leaving the playground for.
For this list of 10 must-try fall sips and treats for families in NYC, we’re looking beyond the average pumpkin-spice latte (though yes, there are plenty of those for the grown-ups, too). From little-kid-approved bites and adventurous eats to treats worth planning a playground stop around, we’ve rounded up something for every kind of NYC family—including gluten-free and dairy-free finds. Keep reading to find your family’s next favorite fall bite—and a few delicious excuses to get out and explore the city. You’ll find all our top picks for the cozy season on our NYC Kids Guide to Fall.
Fall Sips & Treats, At-a-GlanceBest for Little Foodies: Butterdose Cafe and Mr. BunchaBest for Adventurous Taste Buds: Eggers Ice Cream Parlor and Millie’s Coffee Co.Best Coffee Break for Parents: Toledo Café and Grounds CaféBest Treat + Play Combo: Padoca Bakery and Ceremonia BakeshopBest GF & Dairy-Free Find: Bub’s BakeryBest Grown-Up Sip: Sweets and Things
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Butterdose gives its cream puffs a fun seasonal makeover.
Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice1. Butterdose Cafe – East Village
Stop by the family-owned Butterdose Cafe for a taste of fall in the form of gluten-free pumpkin spice and apple pie cream puffs—two treats little foodies will love. Founded by dad Hang Zhang and inspired by his autistic son Dylan, Butterdose was created as a welcoming place where everyone can gather over good food. It’s a neighborhood spot with a thoughtful mission at its heart.
2. Grounds Café – Belmont, the Bronx
Warm up your fall outing at Grounds Café, where seasonal lattes come in cozy flavors like pumpkin spice, horchata, and chai. More than a coffee shop, Grounds is a community space dedicated to empowering, educating, and supporting women of all backgrounds while bringing neighbors together. Grab a latte for yourself and a treat for the kids, and make it a feel-good family stop.
3. Sweets and Things – Cypress Hills, Brooklyn
Give the family a taste of Dominican-inspired sweetness at Sweets & Things, where Brooklyn native and owner Yesenia Rodriguez puts a seasonal spin on a beloved favorite with pumpkin spice tres leches. Inspired by the desserts she grew up loving and her Dominican roots, Rodriguez brings those flavors to life in every bite. Kids can dig into the creamy treat while parents sip on pumpkin spice coquito for a festive grown-up taste of fall.
What’s better than coffee cake? Ceremonia Bakeshop’s pumpkin spice coffee cake, of course.
4. Ceremonia Bakeshop – Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Head to Ceremonia Bakeshop for cozy fall flavors and a little something for everyone. Founded by husband-and-wife team Amy and Martty Batista, the bakery blends its Vietnamese and Dominican roots with a love of baking from scratch each day. Kids love the pecan pie bar, while parents can settle in with pumpkin spice coffee cake and a cup of coffee. It’s the kind of neighborhood spot made for sharing something sweet.
5. Mr. Buncha – Sunnyside, Queens
Sip into fall at Mr. Buncha, where the creative minds behind the boba spot bring playful flavors to the season. Try the pumpkin cream soda, pumpkin fresh milk, or pumpkin Thai tea, each adding a fun fall twist to your cup. Swing by during a weekend outing for a festive sip the whole family will enjoy.
Apple, Maple, & Everything Cozy6. Toledo Café – Woodside, Queens
Grab a fall pick-me-up at Toledo Café, where Javier Toledo and his family carry forward the perseverance of his great-grandfather, who devoted his life to sharing coffee with the people of Cuenca, Ecuador. Stop by for seasonal favorites like apple crisp, maple sea salt, and cookie butter lattes, plus buttery apple turnovers. It’s an easy grab-and-go stop after an afternoon at the park.
7. Bub’s Bakery – NoHo
Make Bub’s Bakery part of your next fall family outing, where thoughtful allergy-friendly baking means everyone can enjoy a treat. Created by culinary talents Melissa Weller and Jenn Saesue, the bakery is committed to making delicious baked goods that bring everyone to the table. Pick up mini apple pies and caramel custard sticky buns, both gluten- and dairy-free, to enjoy after a crisp fall walk.
8. Padoca Bakery – Upper East Side
Get into the spooky spirit at Padoca Bakery, where Brazilian roots meet playful fall treats. Founded by creative partners Marina Halpern and Megan Sesil, the bakery blends their love of baking and design into festive offerings like ghost cookies, teddy graham lattes with ghost designs peeking through the cup, and cozy apple cider. Stop by after pumpkin picking or a neighborhood Halloween haunt for a fun seasonal treat.
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Adventure with Filipino fall flavors this season at Millie’s Coffee Co. Photo by Gabriella Vitorino for the shop (@vitorinogabriella)
9. Millie’s Coffee Co. – Astoria, Queens
Settle into fall at Millie’s Coffee Co., where sibling duo Kamille and Kenneth Ejerta bring Filipino flavors and a creative spirit to their cozy, leafy cafe. Families can unwind while parents explore creative fall flavors, from the sage séance with housemade fig and sage jam to the apple of my chai, a cozy apple cider chai topped with vanilla cold foam and a Honeycrisp apple garnish. It’s a welcoming spot to slow down, sip something unexpected, and enjoy a little family time.
10. Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor – Staten Island
Head to Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor for a scoop of Staten Island history, serving ice cream since 1932. Today, West Brighton native Danielle Raleigh carries on the tradition with original flavors that give families a reason to get adventurous. Try the oatmeal cream pie ice cream for a nostalgic fall-inspired scoop, then take your treats along for a family outing around the island.
Unless noted, all photos courtesy of the locations