8 Long Island fall sweet treats to try

It's that time of the year again when those fall-obsessed can only think about one thing: pumpkin spice everything.

"I think that it has to do with wanting to be comfortable and wanting to be cozy," Michelle Panciarello, owner of Brunch Sayville, said. "These flavors just make people think of a warm fuzzy blanket and a snow day and just going back to something that’s less stressful."

Long Islanders want their fall eats to be as satisfying as that first crunch of the fallen leaves beneath their feet, and boy do our eateries deliver. With seasonal flavors infused in just about everything — like a sweet potato latte, an apple cider doughnut bacon, egg and cheese, and maple walnut ice cream — it’s no wonder we want autumn the second that crisp hits the air.

This list would be endless if we decided to include every restaurant on Long Island offering delicious fall flavors on their menu. So to save your stomach, we focused on eight standout eateries offering fun twists on what we'll call the main fall flavors: apple, sweet potato, pumpkin, and nut (maple). 

Apple

Mighty Fine

43 Green St., Huntington

This all-day, pie-centric cafe, which opened earlier this year, is a must-visit this fall not only for the customizable pies on offer, but for the delicious treats such as their baked apple French toast ($15), which will be available through the end of the year, owner Daria Lamb said. This pillowy treat mashes together the best attributes of both an apple crumb pie and French toast without all of the heaviness that can sometimes come with the breakfast dish.

"It’s a way of feeling indulgent but actually eating real food," Lamb said. Another delicious must-try treat is the pumpkin spice latte pie made with a decaf coffee custard base topped with cinnamon cream. More info: 631-683-5500, mightyfinecafe.com

Soul Brew

556 N. Country Rd., St. James; 2718 Grand Ave., Bellmore

While an apple cider doughnut and a bacon, egg and cheese are an unexpected duo, this is the perfect delicacy to ring in the season. The apple cider doughnut BEC ($14.95) is offered at both locations of this popular coffee shop. The sweetness from the apple cider and the savory flavors of the eggs and bacon mix surprisingly well. Though beware, while tasty, it’s not the easiest dish to eat as it does fall apart quite easily. It will be offered through Oct. 31. More info: 631-250-9238, 516-804-4624, soulbrew.coffee

Sweet Potato

BC Bistro

225 Jericho Tpke., Floral Park

Gnocchi might just be the best pasta that isn’t really pasta, and at this new American restaurant in Floral Park, you can find it with a delicious fall twist. They are offering a sweet potato gnocchi ($17) served in a sage brown butter sauce with Granny Smith apples and bacon. It will be offered through Thanksgiving, manager Jim Dunbar said. If you want a sweet treat after dinner, the restaurant is attached to the Buttercooky bakery, also owned by the Borgognone family, which also has an assortment of tasty fall treats. More info: 516-502-2478, bcbistro.com

One Trick Pony

59 Main St., Westhampton Beach

This Westhampton beach favorite coffee shop offers the sweet potato pie latte ($8) using house-made sweet potato puree syrup with cardamom, nutmeg and vanilla and topped with toasted marshmallow cold foam. Guests can get it hot or iced. This brew is earthy and strong, and sure to wake you up for the perfect crisp autumn day. It will be available through the rest of the year. More info: onetrickponycoffee.com

Pumpkin

Alma Cocina

354 Larkfield Rd., East Northport

This high-end Mexican restaurant has gone all out with a fall menu that includes the prettiest and tastiest slice of pumpkin cheesecake ($15). It’s made with vanilla whipped cream and topped with cajeta, a Mexican caramel sauce made with goat milk and sugar. Come for the pumpkin cheesecake, stay for the mouthwatering ancho slow-braised short rib ($45), served with sweet potato and chipotle puree. The pumpkin cheesecake will be available through the fall, and the slow-braised short rib will be available all winter, co-owner and chef Catalina Criollo said. More info: 631-623-6329, almacocinamex.com

Taco Fresco

20 Railroad Ave., Babylon

Mexican treats are blended with fall flavors at this Babylon Mexican street food spot. The pumpkin spice churro ($3.50) and the pumpkin spice horchata ($6.95) will be on offer through the end of October, co-owner Mike Tochluk said.

"The horchata is just excellent to begin with, so we feel like adding the pumpkin spice gives it that fall flavor that you’re looking for," he said.

The menu also has a boozy version of the fall favorite with the pumpkin spice margarita and Tochluk said they hope to keep expanding the fall menu for next year. More info: 631-983-8985, tacofrescony.com

Maple

Brunch Sayville

32 Foster Ave., Sayville

The Sunken Forest Maple Latte ($7) is a newcomer to the menu this year. It’s by far the most popular on the brunch menu this season, owner Michelle Panciarello said. It’s made with Lavazza espresso with toasted pecan, real maple and silky oat milk. The sweetness of this drink hits the spot because it’s not overpowering. Brunch also offers a pumpkin spice latte served in an actual mini pumpkin. These drinks will be on offer through the first day of winter. More info: 631-319-1556, brunchsayville.com

Coyle’s Ice Cream

75 Howells Rd., Bay Shore, 539 E. Main St., Islip

Coyle’s has a treat that’ll remind you of the crisp autumn air: maple walnut ice cream ($6.50 for a small). Perfectly creamy and chunky, it's on the menu all year in Bay Shore and at the Islip location through Thanksgiving. More info: 631-666-2229, 631-617-5014, coylesicecream.com