This story first appeared in The Daily Illini on September 25, 2025.
(Photo by Alyssa Shih/The Daily Illini)
Pumpkin spice is back, but that’s just the start of fall flavors in Champaign-Urbana. Local cafés and restaurants are stirring up cozy drinks, hearty plates and sweet treats that fit the season. Whether you’re chasing the crunch of an apple cider donut or sipping something warm on a chilly evening, here are some of the best spots to enjoy autumn treats in town.
Espresso Royale
A campus staple, Espresso Royale, leans into fall with classic drinks that embody the autumn weather.
The maple white mocha stands out with a rich sweetness that pairs well with cooler mornings, while the chai with pumpkin cold foam adds a seasonal layer to a classic drink.
BakeLab
BakeLab’s fall menu takes a unique approach to seasonal drinks, with flavors you cannot find elsewhere.
The jade cloud tea offers a lighter, earthier option for those who want a break from sugary lattes, while the dirty banana bread chai is the kind of drink that feels like it belongs alongside a warm pastry case.
Good Judys
If you’re looking for fall flavors that go beyond pumpkin, Good Judys has you covered.
The blueberry cheesecake latte contains real cream cheese, cold foam and graham cracker crumbles, giving the sweetness more depth than the usual flavored latte. For something more balanced, try the salted honey & vanilla frothed espresso, which combines honey and vanilla with a hint of salt, served over oat milk.
The Original Pancake House
The Original Pancake House serves these dishes year-round, but their rich flavors and warm spices make them especially fitting for fall.
The apple pancake arrives caramelized and layered with tart Granny Smith apples and a glaze made with Sinkiang cinnamon. On the other hand, the Dutch baby is a lighter but equally impressive option — a puffed pancake served with lemon, powdered sugar and whipped butter.
For a true fall exclusive, the pumpkin pancakes bring the season to the table with spiced batter, a soft, fluffy texture tied together with a dollop of whipped cream. Served warm, they’re a limited-time option that brings the comfort of pumpkin pie to the breakfast table.
Suzu’s Bakery
While many cafés shift menus with the season, Suzu’s Bakery keeps a few favorites year-round. The blueberry hand pie is one of them — a buttery, flaky crust wrapped around a filling that balances sweet and tart. It’s simple but satisfying and is a delightful snack for a crisp fall afternoon.
Parlor Doughnuts
Parlor Doughnuts gives fall flavors a layered twist, adding six new seasonal options to its signature cronut-style lineup.
The standout is the apple pie-filled layered doughnut, packed with spiced filling and topped with a swirl of whipped cream and cinnamon. For those who want to indulge in a sweet, guilt-free treat only found during autumn, try the pumpkin spice cheesecake keto-friendly doughnut, crafted both low-carb and sugar-free.
Fall in C-U offers more than a change in weather — it’s a chance to taste the season through local businesses around campus. Whether you’re a student looking for a study break or a local making the most of the season, these flavors prove there’s no better way to enjoy fall than through food and drink.
Bryana Perez is an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a senior arts and entertainment reporter for The Daily Illini.