Here’s where to get your pumpkin spice fix in Charlotte

It’s hard to believe it has been 19 years since Starbucks first introduced the world to its pumpkin spice latte and changed the fall landscape as we know it.

But it was Charlotte-based Krispy Kreme that put summer in the rearview mirror faster than we could put away our 4th of July flags this year. With a release date of Aug. 4, the company was first to launch its extensive pumpkin spice lineup. As we ease into September many other coffee spots around Charlotte are doing the same.

We compiled a list of the tasty treats making their way to the Queen City this fall. From pumpkin spice and apple cider to maple and butterscotch — it’s enough to make you want to break out your sweaters … even if it is still 90 degrees.

Brakeman’s Coffee & Supply

Location: 225 N Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105

Neighborhood: Matthews

Items:

• The Great Pumpkin: Pumpkin and cinnamon sugar latte

• Vermont Maple: Maple syrup and cinnamon latte

• Macadamia Nut: Macadamia and vanilla syrup latte

• Apple Chai-der - Chai latte with oat milk, apple syrup and cinnamon

Available: Now

Cafe Moka

Location: 7416 Waverly Walk Ave h3, Charlotte, NC 28277

Neighborhood: Waverly

Items:

• Jack-O-Lantern Latte: Espresso, pumpkin spice, white chocolate topped with caramel whipped cream and nutmeg

• Salty Sweet Moka: Espresso, sweet ground cocoa, caramel, sea salt

• Maple Butterscotch Latte: Espresso, maple, butterscotch, milk

• Autumn Tea Latte: English breakfast tea, pumpkin spice, vanilla, milk topped with vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg

• Sparkling apple cider

Available: Now

Central Coffee Co

Location: 719 Louise Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204

Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood/Elizabeth

Drink add-ons:

• Pumpkin spice syrup (made in-house)

• Pumpkin pie flavor (made in-house with real pumpkin to give it a creamy texture and flavor)

Items:

• Pumpkin muffins

• Pumpkin scones (made in-house)

• Apple cinnamon scones (made in-house)

• Pumpkin pie (made in-house)

• Chocolate bourbon pecan pie (made in-house)

Available: Now

Clean Juice

Locations: Multiple

Neighborhood: Ballantyne, Concord, Fort Mill, Matthews, Myers Park, North Lake, Uptown, South End, Weddington

Items:

• The Pumpkin One (Smoothie): Banana, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, maple syrup and almond milk

• The Apple Cider One (Smoothie): Juiced apple blended with bananas, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and maple syrup
• The Pumpkin One + Cold-Brew (Blended Coffee): Banana, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, maple syrup, cold brea and almond milk
• The Fall Bowl (Acai Bowl): Acai blended with banana, pumpkin, pumpkin spice, maple syrup and almond milk, topped with granola, banana and pumpkin seeds

Available: Now

Community Matters Cafe

Location: 821 W 1st St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Neighborhood: Uptown

Items:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte: House-roasted espresso, pumpkin spice and steamed milk or dairy alternative.

• S’mores Mocha: House-roasted espresso mixed with honey, brown sugar simple syrup, and dark chocolate sauce, with homemade vanilla marshmallow toasted on top

• Pumpkin roll (regular or gluten-free): Local butterkin pumpkins and fall spices baked into a cake, rolled and filled with cream cheese icing and served by the slice. Accepting special orders for whole pumpkin roll sales for Thanksgiving.

• Molasses Cookie Sandwich: Classic molasses cookies sandwiched and filled with pumpkin spice buttercream

Available: Now

Crane Coffee Company

Location: 550 S Caldwell St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Neighborhood: Uptown

Items:

• All natural Pumpkin Spice Latte: Double shot of espresso, fresh ground cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, cardamom, ginger, sweet cream, brown sugar, steamed milk, topped with caramel swirl

• Caramel Apple: Double shot of espresso, caramel sauce, apple simple syrup, steamed milk, and a dusting of brown sugar

• S’mores Latte: Double shot of espresso, dutch cocoa powder, toasted marshmallow syrup steamed milk, and a graham cracker dusting

Available: Now

Detour Coffeebar

Location: Mobile truck — see upcoming locations

Neighborhood: Varies

Items:

• Hey Punkin’: Pumpkin spice latte made with real pumpkin puree and fall spices

• Pumpkin chai

• Pumpkin cold brew

Available: Now

Enderly Coffee Co.

Location: 2620 Tuckaseegee Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208

Neighborhood: Enderly Park

Items:

• Pumpkin Pie Latte: Pumpkin syrup, espresso, milk, custom pumpkin pie spice garnish

• Salted Maple Latte: 100% maple syrup, espresso, milk and sea salt garnish

• Hot Caramel Apple Cider: Caramel, apple cider, whipped cream, custom pumpkin pie spice garnish

Available: Now

Forte Legato Coffee Company

Location: 742 Anderson Road North, Rock Hill, SC 29730

Neighborhood: Rock Hill

Items:

• Pumpkin Flight – a tasting of four caffeinated ways (three coffee and one tea) to enjoy hot pumpkin beverages

• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scone

• Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll

• Pumpkin muffin

• Pumpkin panna cotta

Available: Now

The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters

Location: 1217 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205

Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood

Items:

• Pumpkin Pie Latte

• Pumpkin Bread topped with maple syrup frosting

Available: Now

Krispy Kreme

Location: Multiple locations

Neighborhood: Concord, Cotswold, Gastonia, Rock Hill, Pineville/South Charlotte, South End

Items:

• Pumpkin spice latte swirl doughnut: Pumpkin spice doughnut dipped in a pumpkin spice and sugar blend, topped with a blend of vanilla and coffee buttercream

• Pumpkin spice version of Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed doughnut

• Pumpkin spice original filled cheesecake doughnuts

• Pumpkin spice cake doughnut

• Pumpkin spice latte

• Pumpkin spice iced coffee

Available: Now

Salted Melon Market & Eatery

Location: 100 W Worthington Ave Suite 107, Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: South End

Items:

• The Basic Witch — An iced vanilla oat milk latte with creamy pumpkin cold foam
• Spooky Spiced Chai — A chai tea latte with pumpkin and cinnamon
• How ‘Bout Them Apples — A steamed apple cider with whipped cream and caramel drizzle
• The Great Pumpkin Latte — Steamed milk with espresso and pumpkin sauce, topped with whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkle

Available: Now

Summit Coffee

Location: Multiple locations

Neighborhood: Davidson, Huntersville, NoDa, Plaza Midwood, SouthPark

Items:

• Iced Pumpkin Pie Latte with spiced vanilla cold foam

• Iced Box Turtle Mocha: Mocha and caramel latte with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle

• Iced shaken Pumpkin Chai Latte

• Iced Maple Sea Salt Latte

Available: Now

Starbucks

Location: Multiple locations

Neighborhood: Multiple

Items:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte: Starbucks Signature Espresso, steamed milk with flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, sauce with real pumpkin, whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices

• Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew: Starbucks Cold Brew, vanilla syrup, pumpkin cream cold foam and pumpkin spice

• Apple Crisp Macchiato: Creamy oat milk, Starbucks Blonde Espresso, flavors of apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar and spiced apple drizzle.

• Pumpkin cream cheese muffin

• Pumpkin scone

• Pumpkin loaf

Available: Now

Undercurrent Coffee

Location: 1115 N. Brevard St, Stall #7 Charlotte NC 28206

Neighborhood: Optimist Hall

Location: 2012 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte NC 28205

Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood

• Southern Spice Latte: House-made spiced sweet potato sauce that includes roasted sweet potatoes, brown sugar and fall-forward spices, choice of milk and espresso

• Maple Met Matcha: Matcha latte sweetened with a maple, clove and orange blossom syrup

Available: Now

Waterbean

Locations: Multiple locations

Neighborhoods: Cornelius, Hickory, Huntersville, Madison Park, Midtown, Olde Whitehall, Park Crossing, Third Ward/Uptown

Items:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte

• Cold Foam Pumpkin Spice

Available: Now

This story was originally published September 7, 2022 at 6:05 AM.

Laurie Larsh

The Charlotte Observer

Laurie Larsh is a freelance writer and travel junkie with an affinity for sunglasses, coffee and all things Tarheels. Relentless curiosity about people and places keep her wondering and wandering near and far and writing stories about it. Follow her travel adventures on Instagram @goexplauring or her website www.goexplauring.com.