New York State is filled with all kinds of delicious fall flavors. From apple cider donuts and apple pie nachos to pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin cocktails (served in actual pumpkins), there’s something for every palate – but it only lasts one season! Whether you’re team apple or team pumpkin, dig into this list of New York fall goodies before they’re gone. Looking for even more tasty adventures? Check out these 10 Fall Trips for Food Lovers. Photo credit: @shannonjay88 on Instagram.
Apple Cider Donuts (Multiple Regions)
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Fall and apple cider donuts, you just can’t have one without the other! If you’re seeking out this classic autumn treat, New York is the place to be. Cakey, sugary goodness can be found in all corners of the state including Mayer Bros Cider Mill in West Seneca, Terrace Mountain Orchards in Schoharie, and Dubois Farms in Highland.
Signature Fall Donuts from Cider Belly (Capital-Saratoga)
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Donut skip out on a fall treat from Cider Belly! No matter the season, this Albany donut shop is sure to be stocked with apple cider donuts galore. When fall rolls around, Cider Belly debuts a variety of specialty donuts including pumpkin s’mores, maple cannoli, and apple crumb cheesecake.
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Not much beats a warm slice of apple crisp on a chilly fall day, except maybe a hot apple crisp ice cream sundae from Tantillo’s Farm Market in Gardiner! This sundae is as good as it sounds with your choice of ice cream topped with warm gooey apples, hot caramel, whipped cream, and a buttery oatmeal crumble. Opt to enjoy your treat from one of the Adirondack chairs with a spectacular view of the mountains.
Apple Cider Slushies from Burrville Cider Mill (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
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This family-owned and operated cider mill in Watertown produces some of the most delicious cider around. Burrville cider is made from a blend of New York’s finest apples and pairs perfectly with their famous apple cider donut. Get the best of both worlds with a frozen cider slushie topped with a fresh cider donut, best enjoyed in front of a view of the waterfall.
Fried Cake Ice Cream Sandwiches from Shutt’s Apple Mill (Finger Lakes)
If you’ve never had one of Schutt’s famous fried cake ice cream sandwiches, fall is the perfect time to see what all the buzz is about! Open year-round, this farm has been a family favorite for more than 100 years, the perfect amount of time to perfect the Schutt family fried cake recipe. Vanilla soft serve is added to your choice of fried cake like apple, pumpkin, and chocolate, making this a true drool-worthy delight.
Fall Shake Up from Wickham Farms (Finger Lakes)
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Fall at Wickham Farms means picking your own apples and pumpkins, running through the corn maze, and slurping a Fall Shake Up! A Wickham staple, this apple cider slushie is layered with creamy vanilla ice cream and topped with a fresh-baked apple cider donut. It’s fall in a cup!
Fly Creek Cider Mill is famous for many things: producing delicious (hard and non-alcoholic) cider, being named the country’s best cidery for 2024, and whipping up their iconic cider float! This tasty and refreshing beverage is made by mixing Fly Creek cider and ginger ale and adding a hefty scoop of vanilla ice cream. This float is famous for a reason, so be sure to give it a try.
Portage Pie (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
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You just can’t visit the enchanted mountains of Chautauqua-Allegheny without enjoying a Portage Pie! This popular pie shop crafts each pie by hand, making fall a truly special time when seasonal favorites like pumpkin, apple crumb, and pecan hit the menu. They also make a great plus one for Thanksgiving dinner. These pies are so delicious they often sell out, so be sure to call at least a day in advance to place your order!
Apple Pie from Rulfs Orchard (Adirondacks)
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Whether you’re heading out to Rulfs for family fun on the farm or just looking for a sweet treat, Rulfs’ bakery (which is open year-round) is a must-stop. Opened in 1987, this Adirondack favorite quickly became famous for their apple pie. Now they make over 10,000 pie crusts a year! This autumn be sure to stop by for a slice of this famous apple pie or other baked goods like pumpkin and apple cider donuts. If you prefer to bake for yourself at home, order one of Rulfs apple crumb pie kits!
Apple Pies from PersNikkity Pies (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
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Just five minutes outside of Jamestown, you’ll find a magical place where art and food collide at PersNikkity Pies in Falconer. Each artisan-style pie “will make your day” and is hand-crafted using original recipes, creating a masterpiece that tastes as good as it looks. Pies come in all kinds of delicious flavors (and unique designs) perfect for fall including apple, maple apple, apple cranberry, pecan, and pumpkin.
Pumpkin Draft Latte with Apple Cider Donut from Buttercooky Bakery (Long Island)
Family-owned and operated, Buttercooky Bakery has been treating Long Island to all kinds of drool-worthy delights for more than 50 years. Pumpkin spice enthusiasts, coffee addicts, and donut lovers alike are sure to love the Buttercooky pumpkin draft latte topped with a warm apple cider donut and whipped cream. Plus, it makes the perfect addition to your fall Insta feed!
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You know it’s officially autumn in Central New York when Utica Coffee Roasting Co. rolls out its fall harvest sips menu. Fall in love at first sip with the pumpkin pie cold brew, a smooth refreshing blend topped with decadent pumpkin sweet cream. It’s like a slice of pumpkin pie in every sip! Be sure to grab a bag of coffee (like Great Pumpkin or Headless Horseman) to go.
Candy Apple Latte from Black Lab Cafe (New York City)
Sip on fall vibes with a candy apple latte at Black Lab Cafe! Just a six minute walk from the American Museum of Natural History and Central Park, cozy up with a warm latte that combines caramel sweetness with Black Lab’s homemade apple cinnamon syrup that’s then topped with cinnamon and fresh apples.
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Tim’s Pumpkin Patch in Marietta has been a family fun tradition dating back to 1986 with pick your own pumpkins, tractor rides, a corn maze, and more. Let the sweet smell of baked goodies guide you to Tim’s bakery where you’ll find all kinds of unique fall treats like the famous Apple Pie Nachos. Made with cinnamon sugar waffle chips served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, apple pie filling, whipped cream, and caramel drizzle, these aren’t your typical nachos and are sure to delight any sweet tooth.
Pumpkin and Apple Cookies from Funny Face Bakery (New York City)
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Known for their vibrant purple shops, intricately-decorated celebrity cookies, and famous gooey chocolate chip, Funny Face Bakery’s fall menu is sure to satisfy your fall craving. Pumpkin lovers should try the Pumpkin Sugar N’ Spice, a pumpkin cookie with white chocolate chips and a light dusting of cinnamon. If you’re team apple, the Apple Cider N’ Spice features apple cider and nutmeg that’s then topped with a buttery apple cider mixture and cinnamon sugar. No matter what you choose, you’re sure to get a taste of fall in every bite!
Seasonal Brownies from Fat Witch Bakery (New York City)
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Discover the magic of decadent brownies this Halloween season at Fat Witch Bakery in Chelsea Market. Each brownie casts a rich chocolatey spell that’s sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Don’t miss out on the bakery’s four limited edition seasonal flavors like pumpkin caramel, peanut butter, apple cinnamon, and Halloween. You won’t be disappointed!
“It’s Fall Y’all” Waffle from White Rabbit Dessert Experience (Greater Niagara and Finger Lakes)
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Fall down a rabbit hole of decadent desserts at White Rabbit Dessert Experience! With locations in Tonawanda, Rochester, and Cheektowaga, this Alice in Wonderland-themed restaurant specializes in sweets with more than 100+ dessert options, homemade ice cream, and a full espresso bar. In honor of sweater weather, White Rabbit is releasing seven seasonal desserts, including the “It’s Fall Y’all” waffle that’s topped with apple crisp, a scoop of sweet cinnamon ice cream, caramel sauce, and cinnamon streusel.
Pumpkin Nuage from Lady M (New York City)
For years, Lady M has been crafting some of the freshest, finest cakes and confectionery delights around. Well-known for creating the world famous Mille Crepes, this luxury bakery whips up a decadent Pumpkin Nuage for just a limited time. For those who are unfamiliar, this dessert is the delicious combination of a pumpkin pie and pumpkin cheesecake that’s gently spiced with cinnamon and set atop a graham cracker base.
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What’s better than sipping a refreshing cocktail out on Long Island’s East End? Sipping a fall cocktail out on Long Island’s East End! Every autumn, Montauk Distilling Company brings back its famous pumpkin cocktail for the season. This festive beverage, which is actually served in a mini pumpkin, features Montauk Distilling’s vodka and spiced rum, “pumpkin deliciousness,” and is topped with whipped cream and fall candy. They also whip up a fall-themed espresso martini flight!
Hard Cider
It just isn’t fall without a glass of hard cider and New York State is the place to raise a glass! As the largest producer of hard cider in the country, world-class cideries can be found around every corner of the state from Doc’s Cider in the Hudson Valley to Finger Lakes Cider House to Donovan Orchards Estate Ciders in Greater Niagara.
The fall season is a special time of year for Southern Tier Brewing Company, when the Pumking Imperial Ale reigns supreme. Since its debut in 2007 this seasonal favorite has been featured in Forbes and ranked as one of the best fall beers in the country. With aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, this beer is a slice of pumpkin pie in a glass, so be sure to stop by the Lakewood or Buffalo tap rooms for a fresh glass!
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There’s so many things to love about Beak & Skiff Apple Farm: the sprawling orchards, the family fun activities, and their famous Tipsy Cow frozen cocktail! For those who are unfamiliar with this frozen delight, the Tipsy Cow is cold brew coffee, chocolate milk, and 1911 Cold Brew Vodka topped with whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and a cider donut. You can also follow this recipe and grab a bottle of 1911 to-go to enjoy this treat at home.
If you’re looking to sip on a refreshing fall beverage alongside stellar views of Seneca Lake, Miles Wine Cellars in Himrod is the place to be! The fall cocktail menu features a variety of seasonally-themed drinks including the Drunkin Donut, which is made with Miles Wine Sparkling Caché, local apple cider, and topped with a local apple cider donut.
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