Fall Flavors in Franklin: Coffee, Cocktails, and Desserts for the Season
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, Franklin embraces autumn in every way imaginable. Across town, coffeehouses, bakeries, and restaurants are serving up the tastes that define the season: pumpkin, apple, maple, chai, and cinnamon, each with its own creative twist. Whether you’re sipping a spiced latte, trying a pumpkin dessert, or enjoying an autumn-inspired cocktail, Franklin’s culinary scene makes this time of year one to savor.
Highbrow Coffee
Franklin Coffee Shops Brewing Fall Favorites
Franklin’s coffee shops capture the essence of the season, from locally roasted creations to national favorites that signal fall’s arrival. Starbucks may set the stage with classics like the Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, but Franklin’s independent shops take things further, putting their own spin on autumn ingredients through house-made syrups and inventive recipes.
At Honest Coffee Roasters in The Factory at Franklin, favorites include Autumn Leaves, with espresso, spiced pumpkin syrup, and orange zest; Golden Hour, featuring butterscotch and turmeric; and The Toasted Yammy, a brown sugar-spiced yam latte topped with a toasted marshmallow.
In downtown Franklin, The Coffee House at Second & Bridge serves up a menu that’s anything but ordinary. Their Pumpkin Pie Latte, Toasted Marshmallow, and Cherry Latte have become fall favorites for those strolling near Main Street, while the Apple Pie Crepe adds a sweet touch to the food menu with warm apples, cinnamon, and whipped cream.
At The Fainting Goat, fall weekends come with a sweet twist. The café is serving its Pumpkin Spice Latte alongside freshly baked Conchas, available Friday through Sunday in vanilla, strawberry, and pumpkin spice flavors, making for a perfect pairing on a cozy autumn morning in Franklin.
Just a few blocks away, Onyx & Alabaster combines coffee and design in one stylish stop. Seasonal options include the Pumpkin Harvest Latte, Onyx S’mores Latte, Pumpkin Pie Chai, and Apple Cider, along with new favorites like the Browned Butter Capp, served with mini butter cookies.
Frothy Monkey
At Frothy Monkey, fall flavor takes center stage. Try the Almond Dearest Latte, a blend of mocha, almond, and toasted coconut; the Southern Roots Cortado, made with sassafras, clove, and anise; or the Log Cabin Latte, featuring maple, black walnut, and cinnamon. Each one captures fall in Franklin.
In the Cool Springs area, Flower Kitchen leans into the spirit of fall with inventive drinks like The Great Pumpkin Latte and Orange Blossom Aerocano. Nearby, Herban Market keeps things organic and wholesome with their Pumpkin Spice Latte, made with real spices and natural ingredients, offering a balanced take on the autumn classic.
For those who prefer a subtle touch, HighBrow Coffee in Westhaven crafts rich espresso drinks with house-made syrups and gentle hints of spice, creating a refined take on seasonal sipping. And at White Bison Coffee, with locations throughout Franklin and Williamson County, pumpkin lovers can enjoy the Pumpkin Spice Latte or Pumpkin Cookie Frappe, both perfectly paired with a warm breakfast sandwich or pastry.
While Franklin’s local coffee shops lead the way in creativity, a few familiar chains are also embracing the season. Dunkin’ brings back favorites like the Pumpkin Spice Iced Signature Latte, topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and cinnamon sugar, along with the Candy Bar Signature Latte and the returning Spider Donut. SONIC adds a Southern spin with its Bourbon Caramel Iced Coffee, Salted Caramel Toffee Croissant Bites, and Vanilla Trick-or-Treat Blast, blending fall flavor with a bit of playful fun.
Whether you’re stopping by a neighborhood café or grabbing your favorite drive-thru drink, Franklin has plenty of ways to enjoy fall, one cup at a time.
Stable Reserve
Fall Cocktails in Franklin, TN
Fall’s flavors go beyond coffee. Franklin’s bartenders and mixologists are serving creative drinks that highlight everything from bourbon and apple cider to pumpkin spice and maple syrup. Whether you’re relaxing after dinner or planning a night out, these local favorites offer a perfect way to toast the season.
In downtown Franklin, Stable Reserve captures autumn in a glass. The Bourbon Pecan mixes bourbon, rye, caramel syrup, and cream, while the Chai-Der combines apple cider, bourbon, and chai tea for a cozy balance of spice and warmth. Rounding out the lineup are classics like the Pumpkin Spice Latte and Hot Apple Cider.
At Scout’s Pub in Westhaven, the Harvest Jubilee menu celebrates with comfort and creativity. Highlights include the Roast Butternut Squash Old Fashioned, Spicy Apple Margarita, Apple Moonshine, Blood Orange Negroni, and Chess Pie Martini, each one crafted to highlight autumn’s best flavors.
For those seeking an upscale dining and cocktail experience, 1799 Kitchen & Bar Room at The Harpeth Hotel serves inventive drinks that pair beautifully with its fine dining menu. The Pumpkin Spice Margarita blends Proto Tequila, pumpkin spice syrup, lime, dry curacao, cinnamon, and orange for a refined twist, while the Rosemary Maple Smash, crafted with Buffalo Trace bourbon, St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur, maple syrup, lemon juice, and rosemary, offers a perfect balance of sweetness and depth.
White Alligator
Meanwhile, etch Franklin takes inspiration from Studio Tenn’s fall production of Dracula, offering two limited-time cocktails that play on the mystery of October. The Once Bitten combines tequila, toasted coconut rum, cherry liqueur, and pineapple juice, while the Blood Moon, made with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Gifford Cassis Noir de Bourgogne, delivers a dark, moody finish.
For a touch of fun, King’s Dining & Entertainment introduces its BOOS BAG cocktail, available beginning October 25th. It’s a playful addition to their bowling and arcade lineup that fits the Halloween spirit perfectly. Seasonal drink specials include the Fall Fashioned made with Four Roses, maple syrup, and black walnut bitters; the Bloom & Doom, a lively mix of vodka, St. Germain, orange juice, and ginger beer; an Apple Cider Mimosa with a cinnamon sugar rim; and the PSL Martini, crafted with Absolut Vanilla, pumpkin spice cream, Owens Espresso Mix, and nutmeg.
White Alligator is embracing the season with a fresh cocktail lineup that gives classic fall flavors a Louisiana twist. The new menu features creative drinks like the Shot of Sunshine alongside other autumn-inspired sips designed to heat things up as the weather cools down.
At Leiper’s Fork House of Spirits in downtown Franklin, the fall cocktail lineup is filled with rich flavors. Guests can enjoy an Irish Coffee made with house-made bourbon vanilla, a Jackie Pumpkin Ale that’s bold, smooth, and brewed with all the cozy fall vibes, or a decadent Dulce de Leche Martini for something sweet. These drinks are just a sampling of the bar’s autumn offerings.
Five Daughters Bakery
Franklin Bakeries and Sweet Treats for Fall
Franklin’s bakeries and dessert shops turn fall into a celebration of flavor. With pumpkin-spiced donuts, caramel-drizzled ice cream, and flaky pastries fresh from the oven, these local spots make it easy to satisfy every craving—whether you’re picking up breakfast, dessert, or a treat to share.
At Five Daughters Bakery, October means limited-edition versions of their famous Hundred Layer Donuts, croissant-style pastries layered with pumpkin, apple, and maple, handcrafted daily and available only for a short time. Just off Main Street in downtown Franklin, Merridee’s Breadbasket fills its cases with pumpkin loaves, muffins, cookies, and pies, all baked fresh daily. A slice of pumpkin bread with a cup of coffee is the perfect morning ritual on a cool fall day.
Triple Crown Bakery is another fall favorite, drawing locals for pumpkin muffins, cupcakes, and cookies throughout the season. Their beautifully crafted cakes and pies also make a stunning addition to Thanksgiving tables. At Franklin Bakehouse, the menu embraces comfort with golden pastries, “monster cookies,” and flaky, spiced layers that taste like autumn.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams brings the season to life with its Fall Flavors Collection. Highlights include Caramel Apple Crumble, made with fresh apples, caramel drizzle, and a gluten-free oat crumble, along with inventive autumn options like Miso Butterscotch Brownie, Burnt Orange, and Cookies in Cream. For Halloween, Jeni’s adds a playful twist with Bury Me in Chocolate, a sundae featuring Cookies in Cream and Milkiest Chocolate ice creams, topped with whipped cream, two gummy men candies, and Jeni’s rich Sundae Fudge Sauce.
Franklin Bakehouse
Nothing Bundt Cakes also brings Halloween spirit to dessert with the Triple Treat Bundt Cake, featuring Reese’s and Oreo pieces baked into one decadent creation. And at Crumbl Cookies, mid-October means indulgent flavors like the Pumpkin Square, Caramel Shortbread Cookie featuring TWIX, and Galaxy Brownie Cookie. Don’t wait long, because these sweet treats rotate weekly.
Inside The Factory at Franklin, Fork of the South offers a fun, family-friendly twist with its Halloween-themed Spooktacular Dr. Pepper, a fizzy, dirty soda that’s as sweet as it is photogenic.
At Amerigo Italian Restaurant, with locations in Cool Springs and Nashville, dessert takes a seasonal turn with Scare-A-Misu, available October 27th through 31st. This Halloween twist on their signature tiramisu layers espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone, and cocoa with a festive presentation that adds a bit of whimsy to an Italian classic.
A Taste of Fall in Franklin, TN
From pumpkin pastries and chai lattes to bourbon cocktails and autumn-inspired desserts, Franklin, Tennessee, offers countless ways to enjoy the tastes of fall. Whether you’re exploring downtown, visiting The Factory at Franklin, or discovering new favorites in Cool Springs, every stop brings its own take on the season. Plan your next stop for coffee, cocktails, or dessert and experience the best of Franklin’s fall flavors.
Beyond the Pumpkin Spice: More Ways to Enjoy Fall in Franklin
Franklin’s fall flavors are just the beginning—once you’ve had your pumpkin latte fix, there’s plenty more to see, taste, and experience around town.
Celebrate Halloween close to home with Family-Friendly Halloween Events in Franklin: Trunk-or-Treats & Things to Do, featuring local gatherings and safe celebrations for all ages. Step into Franklin’s haunted history with Best Ghost Tours in Downtown Franklin: Exploring Tennessee’s Haunted Past, where storytellers bring the city’s legends to life under flickering lantern light.
Movie lovers can head to Main Street for FearFest at The Franklin Theatre: A Month of Movies for Spooky Season, a lineup of classic thrillers and Halloween favorites in one of Tennessee’s most historic theaters. And for those who prefer fresh air and farm fun, Hayrides, Corn Mazes, and Pumpkin Patches in Franklin, TN, and Beyond offers a roundup of local spots to pick pumpkins, take a scenic wagon ride, and enjoy a perfect fall day.
