Pumpkin, Spice and Everything Nice in Shanghai

Come autumn, pumpkin seems to be at the center of everyone's attention, and it's pretty obvious why. From the savory nibbles and sweet treats to the sippable indulgences that will leave you wanting more, here are a few of our favorite pumpkin-based dishes and drinks that we can't get enough of.

O'Mill's Artisan Bakery

From a decadent Black Truffle Toast (RMB 78) to a Zucchini Gluten-Free "Pasta" (RMB 88), O'Mills is a force to be reckoned with in Shanghai's bakery scene. Serving as both a café and restaurant, their Yongjia Lu location can often be seen full to the brim with people waiting in line to enjoy their healthy sourdough bread and fusion cuisine. But of course, we're all about the pumpkin this month and O'Mill's have certainly stepped up to the plate with their offerings.

Photo courtesy of O'Mill's

Available all year, their Pumpkin Pie (RMB 32 per slice) is gluten-free and they choose a chestnut pumpkin as their main ingredient for its naturally sweet flavor. The pie's base is made out of buckwheat grains which give it a slightly bitter taste that contrasts well with the sweetness of the pumpkin filling, and is mixed and baked along with almonds and coconut oil to hold it all together. Newer items on the now pumpkin-filled menu also include a Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Soup and Pumpkin Madelines (RMB 6)! 

With a 72-hour fermentation process, the dough for the Pumpkin Bread (RMB 30) is folded every 30 minutes before it's finally made. It's a long process for this sourdough, but the end result is a crispy on the outside, somewhat chewy on the inside result with flecks of their homemade pumpkin purée dotted throughout.

For something that will warm you right to your core, the Pumpkin Soup (RMB 48) is another seasonal dish they've brought out for the autumn and winter months that's topped with cream, pumpkin seeds and garlic croutons made from brioche bread for that finishing touch. 

Address: 110 Yongjia Lu, near Jiashan Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Brunch, 8am-5:30; Dinner, 6pm-10:30pm

Hunter Gatherer

Rich, earthy and sweet, Hunter Gatherer had decided to celebrate sweater weather by transforming the delicious squash into two different dishes for you to indulge in - one sweet and one savory - until late December.

Made with naturally sweet pumpkin and a creamy coconut milk, these two ingredients are combined to create a healthy and hearty soup that will help you cozy on up to fall in more ways than one - the Coconut Pumpkin Soup (RMB 25). There's nothing better than topping your body up with nutritious roasted vegetables when it's freezing cold outside and you feel like you're about to turn into a frozen mess of a person at any moment.

If you're a fan of froyo, then you also need to make the time to check out their Pumpkin Pie Froyo (RMB 38)! Made with pumpkin, spice and everything nice, their newest seasonal offering is a cool twist on a classic. They're using real California milk and live active cultures to create their fat-free autumnal froyo and it's all garnished with a crunchy pie crumble, black sesame pumpkin seed brittle and crisp pie crust chip for that all important contrast of textures.

Address: 135 Yanping Lu, near Wuding Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Daily, 10am-10pm

Web: behuntergatherer.com for more locations.

Strictly Cookies

Founded in October 2010, Strictly Cookies is our go-to when we're in the mood for delicious homemade cookies (that Red Velvet, though!). Set to both bring out the taste of home to people living abroad in China and show the good people of China what they had been missing, you can now find them dotted all around the city in the likes of Seesaw Coffee Co., RAC Coffee, Saucepan, Egg, and more. Of course, it goes without saying that they're great at bringing out some pretty incredible seasonal flavors and they've just announced the return of their very autumnal Pumpkin Spice Cookies (RMB 20 / single cookie; RMB 70 / pack of 5)!

Made with fresh, roasted pumpkin and completely filled with seasonal spices, their cookies set to optimize fall in this delicious, round, pumpkin-spiced treat that will instantly win you over and have you coming back throughout the whole of November. But that's not all! They're also going to be selling the Pumpkin Spice Cookies with a hazelnut coffee glaze dipping sauce for RMB 10 per container - yum! You can place orders for same-day delivery via phone, website or even their WeChat shop (strictlycookies完全曲奇).

Address: Room 103, 1166 Yan'an Xi Lu, entrance on Panyu Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9am-5:30pm

Web: www.strictlycookies.com

Bread, etc.

Bread Etc. opened in 2016, and their popularity since is thanks to Chef Stephan Laurent’s baking expertise, gained from years of working with some of the greatest chefs. Freshly baked bread, open-concept dining and patio settings make this an awesome place catch up with friends or sit quietly and work, and their pumpkin addition to fall will help you do just that too.

They've brought out a Pumpkin Muffin that will delight and satisfy any hunger pangs you might have. Their sweet (but not too much so) muffin is made up of pumpkin (of course), hazelnuts, ginger and cinnamon to give it that much needed spiced flavor and it's topped with a crumble to make it extra special. It works too. It was moist, yet crumbly; sweet, and topped with this cute little cube of caramelized pumpkin to pull it all together. Not bad at all for RMB 18.

Address: 

500 Xiangyang Nan Lu, near Jianguo Xi Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Daily, 8am-10pm

1486 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Tongren Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Daily, 8am-10pm

Egg

Photo credit: Dianping user kamemasami

Loft seating, baked goods, simple all-day breakfast food and rich coffees, Egg is your cheerful neighborhood cafe in Xuhui that keeps everyone coming back time and time again.

Photo courtesy of Egg

Right now, Egg is serving up a rather awesome Pumpkin Spice Latte as well as Pumpkin Pie. Made from a traditional recipe, Egg's Pumpkin Pie (RMB 36 per slice) is served with a cinnamon whiskey whipped cream for that added kick of both heat and flavor that's sure to keep you warm as the temperature continues to drop. They do sometimes offer a vegan version of their pie too, but this often sells out fast - call ahead to find out more.

Address: 12 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Julu Lu

Hours: 8am-6:30pm every day

Pie Bird

Quaint and rustic Pie Bird opened in order to fill a gaping hole in owner Lindsey Wang's heart when she discovered that she could not find an Apple Pie that satisfied her cravings enough. Perfect for a quiet lunch date or quick coffee break, they serve a whole range of flavors  - from apple to blueberry and rhubarb to key lime and even savory quiches - all displayed pretty and wholesome looking. Flavors change with the seasons, seeing limited edition pies come in and out of the shop.

Halloween Edition. Photo courtesy of Pie Bird

We're not here for any of those this time though. Served all year round, their flavors cater to a local palate - evident in that they opt to reduce the amount of sugar used as well as the boldness of flavor, but we actually enjoyed not feeling overwhelmed by sweetness after a week full of naughty indulgences. Their Pumpkin Pie (RMB 38 per slice, RMB 248 for a whole pie) is made from fresh, locally grown pumpkins as well as their own blend of flavors that are mixed together with custard to create their super creamy filling.

Address: 1313 Xinzha Lu, near Shaanxi Bei Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm; Saturday to Sunday, 9am-9pm

Colca

Helmed by F&B extraordinaire, Eduardo Vargas, Colca is vibrant restaurant specializing in some pretty hot Peruvian cuisine. Combining chic with a nuanced Latin flair, Colca is undeniably hip and sexy and so is the food. But, aside from offering modern Peruvian cuisine with delicate Spanish touches that are colorful, fresh and subtle, they're also going to be serving up some pretty autumnal treats too.

Photo courtesy of Colca

As well as offering a special Thanksgiving plate of Turkey, accompanied by ALL the trimmings you need, for RMB 228, Colca is also serving up a special sweet plate for the occasion too. Priced at RMB 88, this sumptuous feast will include seasonal cookies, mini Peruvian flans and of course, a slice of pumpkin pie.

Address: 2F, 199 Hengshan Lu, near Yongjia Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Tuesday to S un day, 11am-1am.

Charlie's

Filling and delicious, there's no denying that Charlie's have solidly been churning out those burgers, fries, shakes and dog treats for a while now and they've just opened up a new brand on Tianyaoqiao Lu that's filled with white walls, pink neon lights and a back corner that's sectioned off with tropical-esque wallpaper and cozy bean bags to lounge on. But that's not all they've been getting up to either.

From now until after Christmas, you can pop in and pick up either a slice of Pumpkin Pie or Pumpkin Pie Milkshake - or both - to celebrate (or commiserate the fact that Shanghai's summer is well and truly over. If you're heading to a dinner somewhere, you can even order a whole 8-inch pie to bring with you for RMB 180.

At RMB 45 for a small, or RMB 55 for a large, the Pumpkin Milkshake is yet another addition to Charlie's super thick and super creamy shakes made with vanilla ice cream. To add that extra pumpkin flavor though, they throw a whole slice of pumpkin pie into the mix (no joke), with just a few small chunks remaining.

Their Pumpkin Pie is made with grilled pumpkin that they then turn into a puree. Adding all the usual spices to complete, it's placed on top of a base made from Oreo cookies for an extra kick of flavor. We had both a slice of pie and shake in one sitting (= two slices of pie, plus vanilla ice cream), and dread to think of the amount of calories we had just consumed in this very rich afternoon snack.

Address: Shop 106, 123 Tianyaoqiao Lu, near Xingeng Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am-10pm

Other locations also available.

Dutch Pies

Photo courtesy of Dutch Pies

Made with carefully selected fresh pumpkin, Dutch Pies serves up slices of this sweet and ever-so-light spicy flavor with a cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger blend. With a thin and buttery base, it’s definitely one of our go-to sweet treats for those colder and shorter nights as we draw ever closer to winter. 

Available until the end of December, you can choose from three different sizes: Medium (RMB 128), Large - 9-inch for 8-10 people (RMB 188) or Extra Large - 10-inch for 14-16 people (RMB 278). Or, if you want to save yourself the pain of having to resist eating the entire thing, Dutch Pies can also deliver per slice in the centre of Shanghai - you’ll just have to check with them on the day to see what is available.

Address: 3F, 1118 Changshou Lu, near Wanhangdu Lu

Tel: [phone] (English Service)

Website: www.dutchpies.com

TRIBE

TRIBE is a brilliant organic café and restaurant that's been serving up some tasty and healthy food in both Beijing and Shanghai for a while now, allowing you to sink your teeth into everything from salads and wraps to grain bowls and noodles. With their glossary of goodness adorning every menu, you can be sure that what you’re indulging in is good for you too. Following a mantra of “organic creativity”, TRIBE sources all of their ingredients from organic suppliers and change their menu every season to get the best out of the seasonal produce available.

Photo courtesy of TRIBE

With their new Autumn/Winter menu, they’ve got some wonderful additions of autumnal goodness for breakfast, salads, grain bowls, entrees and desserts, but our new favorite from the new menu has to be the Hot Stuff Stuffed Pumpkin. For RMB 88 you’re presented with an incredible looking whole(!) pumpkin that’s stuffed to the brim with roasted cauliflower, couscous, peas, roasted pumpkin, corn and Hunan ham for an extra salty kick on the palate. Loaded with vitamins and high in fiber, this is a beautiful autumnal treat – just be sure to scrape down the sides of the pumpkin too!

Address: A Mansion Building, 103B, 291 Fumin Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Daily, 11am-8pm

The Rooster

This is an amazing place for a drink any time of day or season. It has a comfy indoor seating area and bar that is perfect for watching sports games. There is also plenty of space to loiter in the sunshine outside, but no outdoor seating. They also happen to have a great collection of craft beers and really amazing chicken wings. But, as with the rest of our mentions today, we're here for pumpkin. And pumpkin they do...in drink form.

This fall, you need to get yourselves over to The Rooster to check out the moonshine they've got from Craft Republic. Importing the Ole Smokey Moonshine, they often stock a few different flavors - Pumpkin Pie Moonshine included. If you want something hard and fast, then you can buy shots of it at a special of RMB 100 for four. If you need to water it down, pair it up with a glass of ginger ale.

Address: 455 Shanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11am-12am; Friday to Saturday, 11am-2am

Sumerian

With a vision to educate local customers and import the most sought-after coffees into China, owner David Seminsky created Sumerian Coffee. Since starting the company, Sumerian has grown to be a well-known name for roasting their own coffee beans and creating in-house blends in their wooden-beamed cafe, and they have some killer bagels to boot.

Made with all-natural ingredients, Sumerian brew a crafted Spiced Pumpkin (RMB 42) comprised of a double shot of espresso (oh, hey much-needed caffeine), a powder sugar pumpkin purée (you can feel little bits of this as you drink), steamed milk, cinnamon, cloves, whipped cream and a cinnamon powder garnish. The cream is comparatively sweeter, which provides a nice blend when you actually make it past and tip some of the super rich espresso coffee into your mouth.

Address: 415 Shaanxi Bei Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Monday, 7:30am-6pm; Tuesday to Sunday, 7:30am-7:30pm

Uncle No Name

Photo courtesy of Uncle No Name

Uncle No Name Espresso was established in 2013, moved to Wujiang Lu in 2015 and also opened in Yongkang Lu (their second store) around one year ago. As it's starting to get cold, Uncle No Name decided it was high time to help the customers who were missing home (as well as a special push from one of their regulars, Janna) by providing a seasonal drink for the festive season.

Photo courtesy of Uncle No Name

What sets their Pumpkin Spice Latte (RMB 45) apart is that, as well as including espresso and milk - which Uncle's White Coffees are famous for - it also includes a special house-made spiced pumpkin sauce by the in-house chef, Uncle Leo. Everything from pumpkin purée and sugar syrup to all the spices (cinnamon, clove, ginger, five spice and nutmeg) goes into this special sauce and, as Janna puts it, "it feels like home."

Address:

Wujiang Lu Store: 258 Wujiang Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Daily, 8am-8pm

Yongkang Lu Store:178 Yongkang Lu, near Xiangyang Nan Lu

Tel: [phone]

Hours: Daily, 8am-7pm

Lizzy's All Natural

Started by American Holistic Health Coach, Elizabeth Schieffelin in 2013, Lizzy's All Natural is on a mission to make healthy living as simple and as delicious as possible, Lizzy's All Natural offers a heap of different choices and variety based on what foods are seasonal and available to fit your individual needs - no matter the age, size, or body type. 

This fall, in addition to their offering of over 60 smoothie blends, detox cleanses, smoothie bowls, nut butters and more, they're also introducing a Cozy Sunday Pumpkin Blend Soup (RMB 36) and a Pumpkin Spice Latte (RMB 36) of their own. The soup is created with housemade coconut milk, Himalayan pink salt and cinnamon and has a super creamy finish despite being vegan, while the latte (which is also vegan) is made with organic Yunnan coffee, warming spices, cashew milk and a dash of maple syrup. Made fresh for on-the-go lifestyle with freshly roasted pumpkin, they only use traceable, sustainably sourced ingredients, they'll be helping you feel super healthy as you try not to pile on the winter pounds. 

Address: Store S9A, 667 Changhua Lu

Hours: Monday to Friday, 7am-7pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10am-5pm

Website: www.lizzysallnatural.com

Epermarket

With eperboxes serving up ingredients you need to create your favorite dishes to a variety of selections across categories, you can easily have all your fall and winter grocery needs fixed without ever leaving your home. You can order for same-day delivery too, but it's on a first-come-first-served basis.

Photo courtesy of Epermarket

From pumpkin seeds and puree to pumpkin flour and noodles (yup), you can try all that your heart desires. Or, you know, just take it easy and order one of their Bastiaan Pumpkin Pies (RMB 115, 22cm) or Cheesecakes (RMB 198, 18cm) for something a little different. Be sure to order 48 hours in advance though as they only take pre-orders for these.

Web: www.epermarket.com

WeChat: epermarket

FIELDS

Vegetables, imported meats, snacks, frozen food… you name it, they have it. All packed in one and ready to make its way to your door (with same day delivery in Shanghai if you order before 16:00). FIELDS is the place to go if you are looking for organic and gourmet items.

Photo courtesy of FIELDS

With FIELDS, you can choose to purchase your own pumpkin - yellow, mini yellow, Xinjiang yellow or green variety - as well as pumpkin purée to make your own autumnal goodies should your heart desire. However, if you don't have the time (or the energy, let's face it, winter zaps everything out of you) to make something yourself you can always order yourself a ready-made Pumpkin Pie (RMB 158, 7-inch, from Dutch Pies) or a serving of Pumpkin Soup (RMB 27) - for one - from FIELDS Kitchen that's made thick, smooth and creamy by blending sweet pumpkin with onion and thyme. All you'll need to do is heat it up!

Web: www.fieldschina.com

App: Fields

Kate & Kimi

Convenient and freshly-made food with the "Taste of Home" can be found on Kate & Kimi, where full grocery store items are available to purchase straight from your phone via their WeChat Store! If you order early in the morning, you can even get same-day delivery for your purchases (though this is not guaranteed). Eco-friendly customers can shop with ease too as your old delivery boxes can be returned too - just make a note with your order.

Photo courtesy of Kate & Kimi

With everything from whole pumpkins and stews to pies of individual servings and purée, Kate & Kimi also offer all your pumpkin grocery needs delivered straight to your door. For something a little more tradition, their Blue Sky Kitchen Pumpkin Pie is RMB 158 for a whole one that will allow around 6 servings with a crunchy shortcrust pastry that's filled with a smooth pumpkin filling.

Web: www.kateandkimi.com

WeChat: yashkk923

We've also heard on the grapevine that Gelato Dal Cuore are offering up a Pumpkin Gelato, Gracie's are doing a Pumpkin Ice Cream that sounds absolutely moreish, and Diner are serving a seasonal Pumpkin Soup until the end of winter. Have you got a favorite place or pumpkin-based treat that we haven't mentioned? Leave a comment below!