Sampling Petoskey’s Sweet Autumn Treats
By Dianna Stampfler
Without a doubt, fall is the most colorful and flavorful season in Michigan. With color tours on the horizon, it’s time to throw on your boots, flannel shirt and puffy vest, grab your wide brimmed hat and head out in search of all things pumpkin and apple spice.
Birch Tree Bakery & Café (181 E. Main St. Harbor Springs) is going all out this season when it comes to hot beverages and sweet treats. The kid in you will enjoy the Campfire Smore – a mocha latte with toasted marshmallow. The Maple Miel latte blends honey, maple and cinnamon flavors. If pumpkin spice is your thing, grab a latte, chai or protein coffee. Among the rotating bakery specials are apple cake, apple fritter bread, maple pecan or pumpkin ginger scones, pumpkin cheesecake bread and pumpkin chocolate chip bread, fall inspired macarons, and gluten-free pumpkin baked oatmeal.
Iron Goat Coffee (4128 M-75, Walloon Lake and 101 Main St, East Jordan) features an array of warm and chilled autumn drinks at its two regional locations. In downtown Walloon Lake, you’ll find the Scarecrow—pumpkin mocha topped with cocoa powder, Colors of Autumn—iced Japanese matcha with raspberry chai cold foam, Pistachio Praline Latte—pistachio brown sugar latte topped with fall spices, Palm Trees and Fallen Leaves—pumpkin maple cold brew with coconut cold foam, and First Snowfall—marshmallow cold brew with peppermint cold foam. Down in East Jordan, savor Bonfire Brew—caramel latte with chocolate drizzle, S’mores Latte—marshmallow mocha topped with graham cracker crumble, Sweater Weather—maple chai latte, Campfire Cocoa—marshmallow hot cocoa topped with graham cracker crumble and Waffles & Cream—breve maple vanilla latte, along with Colors of Autumn and First Snowfall. Both locations also offer mouthwatering baked goods like muffins, turnovers and biscotti.
Good Hart General Store (1075 N Lake Shore Dr, Good Hart) offers fresh sour cream donut holes made daily along Michigan’s famed Tunnel of Trees. This historic general store has been welcoming guests since 1934, making it one of the oldest continuously operated general stores in the state.
The Grove Beverage Café (446 E Mitchell St, Suite 2, Petoskey) is famous for their pumpkin spice latte, making all their syrups in house from scratch by juicing whole pie pumpkins for an extra decadent drink. They also juice their own apples for made-to-order cider, complete with spices (offered cold or warm). A variety of rotating gluten free donuts—made in-house with a special blend of flour free of gums and additives—are offered in pumpkin or apple spice flavors.
JoJo’s Cookie Co. (2611 Charlevoix Ave, Petoskey) is serving its beloved pumpkin cheesecake cookie, an apple cider cookie and a couple other seasonal favorites for October. If you’re looking to send something sweet to someone you love, The Cookie Crew is willing and able to get that order around for you…shipping to anywhere around the country!
North Perk Coffee (308 Howard St, Petoskey) is leaning heavy into pumpkin EVERYTHING. Stop in for a special cold brew, pumpkin latte or Matcha special. The most popular offering is the Hug in a Mug—made with organic pumpkin purée and cane sugar.
Pond Hill Farm (5699 S Lake Shore Dr, Harbor Springs) is the epitome of an agritourism destination, with bushels of family fun and delicious treats. They’re hosting their annual Fall Festival Weekends—every Saturday and Sunday through October 26, from 11am-6pm—where hot homemade apple cinnamon donuts and fresh pressed cider are available. There are also seasonal beer, wine and hard cider options in the Café and Biergarten.
Roast & Toast (309 E Lake St, Petoskey) is the perfect spot to warm up on a chilly fall day. One of the signature drinks is Chai-der (the deliciousness found when you mix chai with apple cider). “We’ve been making seasonal Chai-der for years at Roast & Toast,” shares General Manager Ben Walker. “As soon as you feel a little chill in the air, requests start to come in.” This blend of a traditional chai with northern Michigan’s favorite fall beverage brings color season in with style. Additionally, Roast & Toast offers a Chai-der slushy…similar to their summertime Granita…for a perfect autumn refresher!
The Rumpus Room (04120 M-75 North, Walloon Lake), tucked in behind the Vintage Mercantile in downtown Walloon Lake, will be serving warm spiced apple cider, pumpkin pie cold brew and old-fashioned donut holes throughout the fall season.
Uncle Frank’s Apple Town (4391 U.S. 31 N, Brutus) is known far and wide for their donuts—always warm, always fresh. You’ll also find gluten-free peanut butter cookies and every Saturday in the fall they’re pressing their homemade cider from apples grown on the farm.
Other stops worth an autumn visit include Beani’s Coffee Lounge and Gildas’ Lake Street Bakery in Boyne City, The Burst and Dutch Oven Bakery – Café & Deli in Alanson, Coveyou Scenic Farm Market in Petoskey, Johan’s Pastry Shop in Petoskey & Harbor Springs, and Wildwood Coffee Co. in Indian River.
Dianna Stampfler is an avid fan of the autumn season and she can often be found traipsing around the northern Michigan countryside—dressed in plaid—drinking cider and eating donuts.