Champaign-Urbana Pumpkin Food and Drink Trail

What could be more irresistible than fall in Champaign-Urbana? Quite possibly the delicious pumpkin treats that come around this time of year.

It’s September … the air is getting crisper. Champaign-Urbana area pumpkin patches will open soon. Thoughts of Halloween are in the air (no matter what that will look like.)

That means it’s time for all things pumpkin – to eat.

As with all of our food trail posts we focus on locally owned restaurants or businesses around Champaign-Urbana and beyond. (This list is in alphabetical order.)

Please note that some of these food delights are, well, seasonal. We’ve tried to note that where we can. Get your pumpkin fix soon, don’t delay.

Champaign-Urbana Pumpkin Food and Drink Trail

Art Mart, 1705 S. Prospect Ave., Champaign: If you’ve ever tried Art Mart’s pumpkin cookies, then you know why they are on this list! Made fresh for over 35 seasons, these iced cookies make your mouth water on sight. Art Mart offers plenty of other pumpkin options if you are looking for them as well, including pumpkin cream cheese danishes, turnovers, pumpkin cream cheese muffins and housemade pumpkin lattes. Be on the lookout for pumpkin gooey butter bars arriving soon.

Cafe Kopi, 109 N. Walnut St., Champaign: Be sure to check out their pumpkin frappuccinos, hot or cold pumpkin spice lattes, and iced pumpkin cold brew coffee. They also feature pumpkin bread for a tasty treat with your morning (or afternoon) coffee (or both).

Curtis Orchard, 3902 S. Duncan Rd., Champaign: With so many fall treats to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one. Since pumpkin is our focus here, they offer pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting as well as take-and-bake pumpkin pies; however, it’s hard not to think of their apple cider slushes, fritters, and their glazed or cake apple donuts.

Homestead Bakery, 1749B County Rd. 1900N, Arthur: “Their pumpkin bars are simply heaven. The best pumpkin bars there are.” While you are there, make sure to check out their pumpkin cinnamon rolls, too.

Hopscotch Bakery + Market, 802 W. John St., Champaign: Featuring a gluten-free and vegan pumpkin pie donut that is as pretty as it is delicious. When you stop for a donut, you might want to grab one of their delicious pumpkin cookies, too.

Industrial Donut, 501 Commerce Dr., Savoy: Be on the lookout for their pumpkin pie donuts and pumpkin flavored cake donuts to hit the store soon. “They’re a huge hit!”

Jarling’s Custard Cup, 309 W. Kirby Ave., Champaign: A seasonal favorite you absolutely must try is their pumpkin pie snowstorm. They use a special house-made pumpkin pie mix, blended with vanilla wafers and custard. It even comes complete with whipped cream for that extra special touch.

Just BEE Açaí (food truck): Releasing on September 15, a seasonal menu will be full of all the fall flavors including pumpkin, and pears, dates, autumn berry, walnuts, cinnamon, ginger, you name it…but we are excited to try the pumpkin pie overnight oats. They will be topped with fresh apples, pepitas, goji berries, hemp hearts, original granola, cinnamon and a light drizzle of pure maple syrup (the “Bee-yond Basic”). Patrons will have the option to layer them with other bases such as their açaí or new autumn berry chia seed pudding and top with other delicious drizzles.

Oh Honey Pie (food truck): Coming soon…Oh Honey Pie’s pumpkin pie. Catch it as a full sized pie or as part of their fall sample pack. Their pie is made with their own carmelized heavy cream which makes the pie oh so irresistible. Make sure to check out other fall favorites such as caramel apple, pecan, peaches and cream, and salted honey.

The Original Pancake House, 1909 W. Springfield Ave., Champaign: As if their pancakes weren’t already delicious enough, patrons look forward to their pumpkin pancakes during the fall season… debuting on September 1. We think they are delicious with melted chocolate chips, whipped cream, and butter. Yum.

Pandamonium Doughnuts, 1105 Windsor Rd., Champaign: Be on the lookout for the return of Pandamonium Doughnut’s pumpkin spice doughnut. These fan favorites feature pumpkin spiced cake, cream cheese icing, toasted pepitas, and a dusting of pumpkin spice on top. Pumpkin spice lattes, apple cider, caramel apple cider, and maple sugar lattes will be hitting their menu, as well as vegan apple cider doughnuts.

Pies by Inge, 212 W. Washington St., Monticello: Whether you are looking for pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing, or cinnamon rolls with pumpkin buttercream frosting, Pies by Inge can meet your pumpkin cravings. They actually serve their pumpkin bars year round because they sell like crazy. Pumpkin fans can also enjoy their pumpkin praline or pumpkin cheesecake pies. Pies by Inge provides goodies for Cafe Kopi, TLC coffee house in Maroa, 121 Coffee Run in Warrensburg and coming soon..Bergie’s Place in Monticello.

Sidney Dairy Barn, 311 W. Main St., Sidney: Fans come back year after year for the pumpkin tornado, a blended concoction of ice cream, marshmallows, caramel, graham crackers, and a topping of whipped cream.

The New Sweet Indulgence, 2149 S. Neil St., Champaign: Making their debut on September 18, pumpkin cinnamon rolls are eagerly awaited by superfans each year. Topped with frosting, pecans, and cinnamon drizzle, they aren’t your average cinnamon roll. “They are my favorite fall weekend breakfast.” “They just scream fall!” Their iced pumpkin cookies are also not to be missed.

Know of someone or something we missed? Email us to let us know what you love about your pumpkin favorites and what makes them so delicious.