While Colorado had a slow start to fall, it seems like the cooler weather is now here to stay. Fall is my favorite season — from the movies to the leaves, I always find comfort in this time of year. 

But more than anything else, I look forward to the food. If you are looking to seize the season and celebrate with a meal, I have collected some of my favorite spots around Denver with limited menus for autumn. 

Breakfast:

While I personally love pumpkin and jump on the bandwagon every year, I understand the resentment of it. What was once a quirky way to spice up a drink has become oversaturated. It has found its way into dog treats, samosas, cleaning products, hot sauce — if you can name it, there is a company that sells it. So, I appreciate when a shop can maintain autumnal flavors without relying on the most obvious choice. 

The Weathervane Cafe is a cozy, cabin-esque coffee shop that serves both breakfast and lunch. It is a bit far from DU, located just past the Botanical Gardens, but it is definitely worth it. Aside from a traditional pumpkin spice latte, they offer a handful of fall-flavored foods. Their “Happy Camper Latte” combines maple syrup with pine sugar, which captures an essential yet forgotten fall taste. 

While they serve a range of spiced oatmeals, their “Ham & Berry Chevre” sandwich is the ultimate autumn dish. It utilizes cranberry cinnamon goat cheese and smoked ham to convey Thanksgiving between two slices of ciabatta bread. 

Pinwheel Coffee is another cafe that subverts traditional fall offerings. A menu highlight is their “Apple Pie Chai-der.” It is apple cider with chai syrup, maximizing the essence of autumn. The fruity yet spiced flavor of apple combined with a darker, warmer taste of chai balances the drink. It is sweet with elements of spice while maintaining the freshness of an apple. The cafe is located north of Union Station. 

Lunch/Dinner:

While I tend to enjoy a sweeter breakfast, I crave a heartier lunch and dinner in the fall. I especially seek any dish that uses autumnal vegetation like squash and fungi. 

One of my favorite fall staples is a soup and sandwich. While it seems simple enough, I always have a hard time finding a place that satisfies both. This is likely due to the fact that I am vegetarian and the most I usually get for protein is an extra serving of veggies. It makes what should be a meal feel like a snack.  

However, Subculture offers a variety of vegetarian (and classic) sandwiches along with various soups. My favorite combination on their menu is a “Ratatouille” sandwich with a cup of tomato soup. The sub has plenty of roasted vegetables including eggplant, squash and pepper. It is an excellent use of autumnal produce which, when paired with a warm tomato soup, makes for a meal that is satisfying and fresh. The shop is in the middle of a historical hotspot, between the Molly Brown House and the Denver Art Museum.

Before I became vegetarian, a family favorite was Chook. They specialize in rotisserie chicken with an abundant choice of sides. A new addition to the menu to celebrate fall is brown butter squash. It builds on the autumnal flavor of squash by cooking it in brown butter, which adds the taste of nuts and caramel to the vegetable. Combined with a rich and filling roasted chicken, Chook is a perfect place to bring in the change of season. The nearest Chook is about a 30-minute walk from campus, but there are plenty scattered around Denver. 

Growing up, my parents would celebrate Halloween with a Jack-o-Lantern-shaped pizza. While it is nostalgic, I have grown to prefer Sazza’s fall menu. They have a variety of limited edition items and if you are not afraid of fruit on pizza, I recommend the “Purple Potato Pizza.” While apples on pizza may not be conventional, neither are potatoes. Yet they both work incredibly well as toppings, only enhanced by caramelized onions and rosemary. It makes for a slightly sweet yet hearty pizza, ideal for autumn. Sazza is about a ten minute drive south of Denver, located in Greenwood Village. 

Dessert:

Devil’s Food Bakery has a rotating seasonal pastry selection, but if you happen to visit when they are offering apple cranberry bars, I highly recommend them. They are a combination of apple pie and bits of cranberry topped with streusel and glaze. It is not overly sweet while still satisfying a sweet tooth. The apple and cranberry are slightly tart which keeps the glaze and streusel from overpowering the dessert. The bakery is conveniently located about a mile from campus, making for a scenic fall walk. 

All of these businesses prove there is so much more to fall food than pumpkin spice by using creative flavor palates to convey the season.