Temperatures are dropping, the leaves are changing color and the kids are back in school. That’s right—it’s fall once again. Uptown coffee shops are gearing up for the season with a full selection of fall-themed drinks, including cinnamon, apple cider, and of course, the classic pumpkin spice. We spoke to coffee houses and cafes in the five neighborhoods of Uptown about what they’re serving up—both drink- and activity-wise!
Clifton
The Upside Brew
If you’re looking for some distinct fall vibes, look no further than the Upside Brew.
“Pumpkin spice is a whole vibe,” says Lydia Ludwig, general manager. “Cozy fall days, tracking leaves into the house, a touch of cool before cold weather…pumpkin spice is autumn, in a sense.”
At the Upside Brew, pumpkin spice is the star of the show. “The Pumpkin Spice Latte, all the way. Our Pumpkin Spice Sauce is vegan and made in-house with real pumpkin!” she says. “You can have it hot, cold, blended, or add it to any coffee, smoothie, cold brew…honestly, you name it.”
You can also pick more than just pumpkin off the menu; they have other fall offerings like the Caramel Apple and the Kit-Kat.
Pair your fall drink with a fun art piece. You may even find one that catches your eye! “We double as a year-round art gallery working with New Port Art Gallery,” Ludwig says. “You can buy art straight off the walls.”
Be sure to return later—the Upside Brew offers alcoholic beverages and food all day. Stick around for trivia night, too!
The Upside Brew is in Clifton at 329 Ludlow Avenue. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Sitwell’s Act II
At Sitwell’s Act II, owner Florencia Garayoa looks to serve some good old-fashioned fall nostalgia.
“As someone who isn’t from this country, pumpkin spice is as American as apple pie,” she says. “It’s Halloween nostalgia in a coffee cup. It’s carving pumpkins, a scarecrow in a rocking chair—all the colors of the autumn leaves!”
While Sitwell’s has the classic pumpkin spice latte, they’re also adding a ton of new fall surprises to their drink and food menus.
“We have a new dish in the making—butternut squash with a brown butter sage sauce over rosemary couscous and garlic quinoa. Of course, don’t forget about our apple pie empanada!” Garayoa says.
“On the drink side, we have a Tiramisu latte in the works. We’re also offering a variety of homemade allspice syrups that can be added to our coffee and cocktails. Our current flavors are Apple Pie, French Toast, Toasted Marshmallow, Maple Spice and Gingerbread.”
Her recommendation? “The Pumpkin Spice Latte is for sure a favorite, but I have a feeling our new Tiramisu latte will give it a run for its money! The Oreo Espresso Frappe is a favorite all year round for those fall days that feel like summer.”
Garayoa also recommends Sitwell’s boozy coffee cocktails during those cold winter months. “Our Chai Soviet—masala chai tea steamed with your choice of milk, vodka, Kahlua, cinnamon and cloves—and our Nutty Irishmen—dark roast coffee with Frangelico and Bailey’s—are both go-to’s!”
Of course, Sitwell’s offers plenty outside of their fall festivities, both on the menu and the stage. “Depending on the night, you might find a live jazz band, poetry reading, or some fantastic mix of grunge, punk and rock ‘n’ roll,” she says. “Plus, what other coffeehouse has both Argentine empanadas and Vietnamese Pho on the menu?”
You can find Sitwell’s Act II in Clifton at 324 Ludlow Avenue. Visit their website and be sure to check them out on Facebook and Instagram.
Avondale
Cream + Sugar Coffeehouse
Cream + Sugar Coffeehouse, co-owned by Taren Kinebrew and Crystal Grace, wants to help kick off the season in classic pumpkin style.
“People enjoy the change in seasons, and fall seasonal drinks help to usher in the holidays,” Kinebrew says. “We’ll be offering a type of pumpkin pastry and pumpkin coffee flavor at our Montgomery Road and UC locations very soon.”
Their recommendation? “Our pumpkin latte is amazing!”
Take a seat and enjoy the atmosphere when stopping in for your latte. “Both of our locations are inviting and have beautiful art curated by black women,” says Grace. “It’s definitely a vibe!”
Cream + Sugar Coffeehouse has two locations, one in Evanston, and the other newly opened in Avondale at 3080 Exploration Avenue inside the Digital Futures building in the Cincinnati Innovation District. The Digital Futures location is open every Tuesday through Thursday. Check them out on their website, as well as on Instagram and Facebook.
Mt. Auburn
Flatiron Café
Flatiron Café has fall flavors for every palate—and every memory.
“Fall drinks are just a great reminder of childhood—baking cookies, spending family time and building memories!” says Amanda Tamburello, general manager.
There's a drink for everyone with a bevy of autumn-themed coffees and cocktails. All fall coffees include double espresso and milk but are sure to add their fun twist.
“The Falling Bees has vanilla, nutmeg, and raw honey, the Autumn Spice has hazelnut and cinnamon, the Dooder Snickle has cinnamon and sugar, and the Pumpkin Spice…well, it just has everything nice,” she says.
Flatiron Café will also offer two fall cocktails: the Paris in the Fall, made with dark rum, lime juice, Berto liqueur and Angostura bitters, and the Mead-a-Rita, with tequila, triple sec, Apple Cyder and lime juice.
Flatiron Café is in the Flatiron building at 1833 Sycamore St. Find them on their website and on Instagram and Facebook.
Corryville & CUF
The 86 & Rohs Street Café
Both The 86 and Rohs Street Café offer coffee and community all year round—but during the fall, they make sure to add a hint of pumpkin and maple.
Both shops share a few fall specialties, including a maple latte, a pumpkin spice latte and the chider, a combination of chai tea and apple cider. Yet, both are also sure to add their own unique offerings—Rohs Street Café has Pumpkin Patch Kombucha from local brand Skinny Piggy, while The 86 has a pumpkin spice blended crème.
You’ll also be sure to see something different every time you stop in! Both have rotating art for purchase, jazz concerts and even pop-up shopping events with local businesses.
The 86 is in Corryville at 2900 Jefferson Ave., while Rohs Street Café is in CUF at 2385 Rohs St.
The 86 is active on their website, Facebook and Instagram; Rohs Street Café also has a website and is on Facebook and Instagram.
With so many delicious choices (and so much pumpkin spice), Uptown is embracing fall! Be sure to stop in and support these small local coffee shops.
Please visit the Uptown Cincinnati Twitter and Facebook page to find all-things Uptown.