Introduction to Fall Flavors in Houston
The calendar says fall, but Houston hasn’t gotten the memo yet. Still, local restaurants are serving hearty dishes and cozy drinks that make it easy to savor the season — even without sweater weather. Here’s where to find a taste of autumn while we wait for cooler days.
Hearty Dishes for the Season
Bellagreen
Those with dietary restrictions can also enjoy the comforting seasonings of fall at Bellagreen. Pumpkin takes the spotlight with dishes like pumpkin beef chili, pumpkin carbonara, seared salmon in a pumpkin sauce, and even a pumpkin cheesecake with a coconut hemp crust. For a lighter option, there’s the Nature’s Harvest Salad — roasted butternut squash, red beets, quinoa, and goat cheese in a fig balsamic dressing.
Belly of the Beast
At James Beard Award-winning chef Thomas Bille’s Spring restaurant, the autumn-inspired dishes are earthy and rich. Brown butter roasted grapes are paired with pistachios and grilled bread in the Uvas y Burrata. A potato gnocchi has seared scallops and black truffles, while That’s My Yam layers roasted sweet potato, almond salsa macha, chicken cracklings, and queso fresco into an intriguing bite.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Bar
Get a very early jump on holiday shopping at this restaurant’s attached retail space before settling down for a seasonal spread at Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Bar in The Woodlands. Available through mid-November, highlights include a sweet potato pierogi stuffed with braised cabbage, pecan wood-smoked bacon, brown butter, and caramelized apples, served with a chive crème fraîche. The Wagyu French Dip comes with a miso bone broth, caramelized onions, horseradish crème fraiche, and fries. Enjoy either alongside the Tipsy Cider, a cocktail of Marker’s Mark, apple cider syrup, and cinnamon.
Cozy Drinks to Warm Up
Common Bond
On sweltering fall days, Common Bond has the solution with a bevy of cold beverage options. There’s the mandatory pumpkin spice latte (hot or iced) and a maple pecan cold brew. Add a touch of festivity with the pumpkin cream cold foam that pairs well with an iced matcha or cold brew. For Frozen Bond fans, pumpkin spice and chai are both available. Spiced apple cider comes hot or cold, ideal for Houston’s fickle weather.
Dandelion Cafe
The breakfast destination fully invests in specialty menus, and this fall is no exception. Pumpkin dominates the menu, showing up in pancakes, pastries, and more. The gourd continues to star in Dandelion’s beverage lineup, with pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin chai lattes, and pumpkin pie frappes.
Escalante
Now through November 16, stop by any of the seven locations of Escalante for fall specials. Toast to the cooler months with cocktails such as the Pumpkin Spice Tequila Iced Latte. The alcoholic twist on the seasonal favorite blends together Milagro Reposado, RumChata Pumpkin Spice, and Owen’s Nitro-Infused Espresso Mix. For those abstaining, there’s the Apple Cranberry Splash Mocktail with apple cider, cranberry juice, and cinnamon syrup.
Seasonal Cocktails and More
Fielding’s River Oaks
This River Oaks eatery is offering a trio of cocktails that capture the essence of the season. The Pecan Pie Espresso Martini nods to the holiday dessert with Stolichnaya vanilla vodka infused with pecans, RumChata, Kahlúa, house espresso, maple syrup, and a pecan garnish. Tequila enthusiasts can savor the Pumpkin Cider Margarita, a blend of Siete Leguas Reposado, Cointreau, pumpkin spice syrup, fresh lime, apple cider, and Angostura bitters. The Spiced Pear Whiskey Sour features a spiced pear–rosemary purée and is topped with a frothy egg white (or vegan foamer).
The Kid
Festive cocktails flow at The Kid, where a maple whiskey sour, pumpkin spice Old Fashioned, and apple cider margarita set the mood. Caffeine lovers can indulge in the fall espresso martini flight with pumpkin spice, peppermint, and salted caramel varieties. Pro tip: Cocktails are $7 on Mondays, starting at 7 pm.
Maven Coffee + Cocktails
At its Sawyer Yards and Thompson Hotel outposts, Maven is crafting comfort and blending its signature cold brew concentrate into beverages like a Pumpkin Spice Latte, a Butter Pecan Oat Milk Latte, and a Brown Sugar Oat Milk Latte. Guests can customize their drinks with in-house syrups, such as butter pecan or hazelnut, and seasonal cold foams, including pumpkin spice or Maldon salted caramel.
Relish
Starting in October, Relish’s menu pays homage to the autumn season. Start the meal with the sweet-and-savory seasonal burrata layered with prosciutto, fig compote, arugula, saba, lemon zest, and hazelnuts. For pasta lovers, the butternut squash cavatelli brings together roasted squash, sausage, sage, and pumpkin seeds. Other standouts include a roasted harissa chicken with apricot-tomato couscous and a pomegranate drizzle, as well as a grilled pork chop accompanied by parsnip purée, bacon-braised collards, apples, and brandy cream. For dessert, the pumpkin panna cotta is a spiced cake with maple caramel and caramel popcorn.
Slowpokes
Local favorite Slowpokes updates the chain coffee stores’ seasonal standards with its own handcrafted favorites, such as a salted caramel latte and a pumpkin chai. The spicy ginger chai kicks things up with the addition of ginger, while the Punkin’ Pie Latte is the Houston-based coffee shop’s version of the PSL. And for those who like their caffeine with a side of dessert, the Cookie Monster Latte blends cookie butter syrup and cookie butter cold foam into a sweet treat in a cup.
Conclusion
Houston may not be experiencing the traditional fall weather, but the city’s restaurants are still bringing the autumnal vibes with their seasonal dishes and drinks. From pumpkin spice lattes to hearty fall-inspired meals, there are plenty of ways to get into the fall spirit, even if the temperature isn’t cooperating. So why not grab a cozy drink, try out some new seasonal flavors, and make the most of the fall season in Houston?
