Fall Flavors in Williamsburg
Ever wanted to get in on Williamsburg’s fall food scene, but don’t know where to start? Well, look no further: Sophia Kaisermann ’27 has you covered. From vibrant drinks to delicious cakes, these are a smattering of Williamsburg’s best eats and sips to feel one with fall foliage.
Williamsburg is beautiful year-round, but it is undeniably most wonderous in the fall. The colonial brick looks even more cozy when surrounded by trees of fiery, golden leaves. The crisp breeze invites the spicy smells of cinnamon and nutmeg, begging you to drink a pumpkin spice latte or warm apple cider. Every year, I count the days until fall flavors will once again appear on menus. With so many fantastic food and drink options around Williamsburg, here is a sampling of fall treats and delights:
Aroma’s Cinnamon Pumpkin Pancake Latte
Fall has been increasingly dubbed as the season of Gilmore Girls, and every time I walk into Aroma’s, I feel like I am entering our own iconic “TV show town” food stop, just like Luke’s Diner, making it the perfect place to pick up the most famous of fall drinks: the pumpkin spice latte. The chalkboards listing the weekly specials caught my eye immediately upon entering Aroma’s, and I noted the ever-so-fitting autumnal decorations. The drink of the week was a Cinnamon Pumpkin Pancake Latte, which sounded like an elaborate version of the classic PSL, and I knew I had to try it. The coffee was delicious — up to Aroma’s standards, of course. The main flavor of the drink was the pumpkin, which was just sweet enough and not overpowering. The barista sprinkled the top of the cup with cinnamon sugar, leaving the perfect amount of cinnamon throughout, adding a lovely layer of spice.
SOPHIA KAISERMANN // FLAT HAT MAGAZINE
The Bake Shop’s Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Muffin
I truly can’t think of a better way to start any day than breakfast at The Bake Shop, so when I saw the pastry lineup for the next day on Instagram, I immediately scheduled a Friday morning stop there. I’m of the opinion that the best Bake Shop pastry is their muffins, and the pumpkin snickerdoodle flavor absolutely delivered. The crusted top of the muffin was covered in cinnamon, just like its cookie namesake. The cinnamon worked wonderfully with the pumpkin flavor. It was one of the moistest and softest muffins I’d ever had, and the textures of the crumbly topping and the cakey bottom complemented each other so well. I also recently tried the chocolate chip pumpkin muffin, which tasted just how I expect fall foliage, sweater weather, and a crackling fire would taste.
Column 15’s Maple Leaf Nitro Creme
The cooler breezes and changing leaves indicate the start of two seasons: fall and midterms. Every busy student studying at Earl Gregg Swem Library is caffeinated with Column 15 and their fall drinks menu. My favorite fall drink at Column 15 is the Harvest Moon Hot Chocolate, but I recently tried the Maple Leaf Nitro Creme, which now ranks as a new fall favorite for me. With the option to get it as a nitro creme or a latte, this drink is for the lovers of bitter and sweet. It’s got cozy notes that will make any early-morning study session feel a little more special and is a great option for both warmer Williamsburg fall days or chilly, studious mornings.
SOPHIA KAISERMANN // FLAT HAT MAGAZINE
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Chai
Among my friends, I fall on the team of the coffee lovers, but the chai drinkers tend to be just as passionate, so they persuaded me to try their favorite fall drink at Starbucks. Our Williamsburg Starbucks across the street from campus looks like a quintessential small town coffee shop. I love strolling in at any time of year, but nothing beats the view of the little white house surrounded by trees with leaves sporting all shades of orange and red. This was my first ever chai latte, and it definitely did not disappoint. For anyone with a sweet tooth reading, this is the fall drink for you. Despite the sweetness, the pumpkin flavor came through strongly. It’s a great option for a quick pick-me-up before a Saturday visit to the Williamsburg Farmers’ Market.
Cakes by Jen’s Pumpkin Cake
Few things make me as happy as a visit to the Farmers’ Market. A must-stop on every visit is Cakes by Jen: not only for the free samples, but also to check out their seasonal flavors and split that three-cakes-for-$12 deal with your friends. Tied with the lemon for my favorite is their pumpkin cake. Every cake from Cakes by Jen are little bundts that are unbelievably moist and flavorful, the pumpkin flavor being no exception. These cakes are just too easy to eat: After you take a few bites, you get lost in the flavor, and before long, it’s all gone — Hence the necessity for the three-cake deal.
Drumheller’s Orchard Apple Cider Donuts
I love most everything about fall, but my absolute favorite part might be all things apple cider. A visit to the Farmers’ Market during the fall months is incomplete without a pack of Drumheller’s Orchard apple cider donuts. Grab a group of friends to pick up a six-pack for a delicious moment under the orange trees of Colonial Williamsburg. These donuts are cakey but not too heavy; they are soft and elevated by a generous coating of cinnamon sugar that brings the sweetness and a delicate spicy feeling. Simply put, these donuts are all I want from a fall dessert: comforting, sweet, and an excuse to spend time with your favorite people.
