Words and Photos by
Elisha Nunez
While El Paso’s scenery starts to change as autumn enters the city, local coffee shops are preparing for a season of pumpkin spice and everything nice. With some familiar favorites and newer shops preparing for the chillier weather and yellow leaves, fall flavors are starting to return to the menu. From Mexican to Middle Eastern, here is a round-up of some coffee shops and their autumn flavors ready to satisfy your coffee and tea needs.
Kinley’s House Coffee and Tea
For all the university students or El Pasoans near downtown, this local favorite is just one coffee shop to be at this fall. Taking a seat at the wooden tables while enjoying a Mexican hot chocolate or pumpkin spice latte are just a few of the goods you can have while enjoying the setting. The wooden furniture enhances the cafe’s rustic theme, adding to the feel of fall. While watching nearby trees change colors or an autumn rain makes its way through the streets of the Rim-University neighborhood, you can sip on a few fall refreshments while enjoying the surrounding environment.
Caffe Fioretti
Walking into this cafe is like being instantly transported to a quaint cafe in Europe. Housed in a bungalow within the Pershing-Government Hill neighborhood, this shop offers customers a European vibe that makes a perfect setting for the fall weather. With intricate teapots and teacups filled with seasonal beverages and tiered plate stands complete with different foods, Caffe Fioretti offers a variety of treats that make fall fun. Even the building’s front and back yards are home to plants and cute tables that make a great seating place for every time of year. From the Fall Harvest Soup to more than ten different teas, Caffe Fioretti is one place to spend the autumn.
Summer Moon Coffee
Locally owned on the East Side, Summer Moon Coffee is a Texas-based business with locations throughout and beyond the state, with only one in El Paso. Distinguished through its oak-roasted coffee and sweet cream called “Moon Milk” this cafe is one to visit during the fall. With their seasonal beverage, the Autumn Moon Latte, and other flavors like everyone’s favorite pumpkin spice. Their pastries are also some to enjoy during the fall with berry flavors and spices. The cafe is dotted with small decorations to celebrate the transition from summer to fall, adding to its country feel. With comfortable couches and wooden tables, one can really take in the fall at Summer Moon Coffee.
The House Coffee Shop
Take in the fall flavors with the new downtown business The House Coffee Shop, which opened up in June. On the corner of N. Stanton and E. Mills is this new space with Middle Eastern flavors. Sip on some lattes with cinnamon and cardamom like the Yemeni Latte and even some of their different chai lattes. You can look forward to their upcoming autumn menu, featuring new hints of pumpkin and nutmeg among many other new tastes. At this cafe, you can soak up the fall feelings from looking out the big glass windows at passersby downtown, and looking at the outside colors change. You can also enjoy some of their delicacies like knafeh, a traditional Arabic dessert.
Bee’s Pastry Café
Bringing Puerto Rican and New York City seasonings to El Paso is Bee’s Pastry Cafe on Pellicano. With its variety of specialty coffees and meals, this shop is sure to arouse feelings of comfort and warmth as the autumn chills roll in. You can enjoy traditional Puerto Rican food from tostones to arroz con pollo while sipping on a hot or cold café con leche. Being in this shop will remind you of the art-deco vibe sprawled across the walls in murals of the New York City skylines and neighborhoods. As the fall breeze comes in with dark clouds and a slight chill, so will the flavors from Bee’s Pastry Cafe to warm you up on the inside.
Wake and Bake
If you want to escape the weather changes autumn brings, then you can find yourself at Wake and Bake, a cafe in Montecillo with delicious drinks and specialty treats. Immerse yourself in the natural atmosphere, helped by the numerous plants and natural hues in the cafe’s furniture and decorations. If you want to step into a different delicacy direction, you can try some of the cafe’s treats infused with a healthy and regulated amount of CBD: hence the name, Wake and Bake. Customers can have their drink infused with some CBD upon request, in case you are feeling like you need an extra pick-me-up in your pick-me-up. From a wide array of coffee drinks and other beverages to CBD specialty treats, you can find yourself at Wake and Bake for a little extra fall fun.
