Pumpkin and pumpkin spice have become almost as synonymous with autumn’s arrival as falling leaves and Halloween. For any pumpkin lovers out there: We’ve made you a checklist of pumpkin-based dishes from Chicago restaurants this fall.
SWEET
Chez Moi The French bistro is sparing no pumpkin seed or stem this fall, with pumpkin-themed brunches running on the weekends of October 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30 that include pumpkin pancakes ($12.50) and French toast with pumpkin marscapone ($12). Pumpkin will also be present outside of brunch hours in pumpkin creme brulee ($10). 2100 N. Halsted St., 773-871-2100, www.chezmoichicago.com
Dos Urban Cantina The pumpkin flan ($7) is based on calabaza en tacha (candied pumpkin), a popular Mexican dessert. The restaurant flipped those sweetly spiced flavors into a flan, punctuated by caramelized chicarrons (fried pork rinds) for a sweet-and-savory, crispy-meets-crunchy creation. 2829 W. Armitage Ave., 773-661-6452, www.dosurbancantina.com
The Florentine A fall panna cotta ($9) is dressed up with spiced cranberry compote, candied citrus and pumpkin seed crumble. 151 W. Adams St., 312-660-8866, www.the-florentine.net
Floriole Cafe and Bakery The bakery will offer a quartet of pumpkin pieces: a pumpkin cream cheese danish ($4.75), pumpkin pie with brown-sugar meringue ($6), a gingerbread pumpkin tart ($5.75) and pumpkin tea cakes ($4). 1220 W. Webster Ave., 773-883-1313, www.floriole.com
freestyle food + drink Pumpkin spice doughnuts ($10) are rolled in spiced sugar and finished with a sugar glaze. 660 N. State St., 312-202-6050, www.freestylefoodanddrink.com
GT Fish & Oyster This one’s a showstopper: an entire deep-fried pumpkin ($15, dinner only) stuffed with sweet potato and cinnamon ice cream, apple sorbet and gingerbread cake. As if that weren’t enough, it’s also topped with meringue. 531 N. Wells St., 312-929-3501, www.gtoyster.com
Seven Lions If this mega pumpkin sundae ($14) doesn’t get you in the seasonal spirit, nothing can. It’s a cute concoction of pumpkin ice cream topped with crumbled chocolate cookies, cinnamon caramel, a Rice Krispie treat and pumpkin cake, all capped by a witch’s hat. Also fun are the pumpkin spice pancakes ($13) on the brunch menu — they come with cream cheese frosting and a streusel topping made from Cinnamon Toast Crunch. 130 S. Michigan Ave., 312-880-0130, www.sevenlionschicago.com
Vanille Pumpkin macarons ($2) are a seasonal staple at the French patisserie, and they return once again this fall. Multiple locations, www.vanillepatisserie.com
SAVORY
Autre Monde The Berwyn restaurant goes for a more subtle use of the fall flavor: A farro salad with watercress and feta is dressed in pumpkin seed oil ($9). 6727 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, 708-775-8122, www.autremondecafe.net
Chez Moi Chez Moi isn’t stopping at sweet pumpkin flavors. The restaurant is also serving pumpkin soup ($9), pumpkin ravioli ($22) and trout with wild rice in a roasted mini-pumpkin ($24). On the brunch menu: a pumpkin omelette featuring sauteed pumpkin ($10). 2100 N. Halsted St., 773-871-2100, www.chezmoichicago.com
More Top Picks Life Rafts
Ema Dip into some pumpkin hummus ($10), made from kabocha squash (commonly called Japanese pumpkin), pumpkin seeds and a combination of spices adding extra fall flavor. 74 W. Illinois St., 312-527-5586, www.emachicago.com
The Little Beet Table A beautiful Japanese pumpkin soup ($12) is made with roasted ginger, white miso, creme fraiche and toasted seeds. 845 N. State St., 312-549-8600, www.thelittlebeettable.com/chicago

Publican Quality Meats Pumpkin seed pesto dresses a sandwich with spicy capicola, mozzarella, saba and giardiniera, appropriately called Some Like it Hot! ($13). 825 W. Fulton Market, 312-445-8977, www.publicanqualitymeats.com
Tortoise Supper Club Pumpkin soup ($7) comes with Jarlsberg cheese and brioche croutons on top. 350 N. State St., 312-755-1700, www.tortoisesupperclub.com
Wow Bao Starting Oct. 21, Wow Bao will be stuffing its traditional bao ($2) with a blend of pumpkin and spices to put some fall flavor in the signature favorite. Multiple locations, www.wowbao.com
DRINKS
Beatrix Pumpkin cream nitro coffee ($5) offers a chance to get both your caffeine and pumpkin fixes in one beverage. 519 N. Clark St., 312-284-1377, www.beatrixchicago.com
Chez Moi The French bistro finished off its pumpkin lineup with The Great Pumpkin, a Grand Marnier and spiced pumpkin cocktail ($10). 2100 N. Halsted St., 773-871-2100, www.chezmoichicago.com
Hi-Vibe It’s not a PSL; it’s a pumpkin spice bulletproof coffee ($8) from Hi-Vibe, with a blend of spices giving your cup of joe some fall flavor. 160 W. Kinzie St., 312-724-8423, www.hi–vibe.com
Kitchfix Again: Drop the PSL and try the Fall Spice Butter Brew ($7) instead. The drink punches up Limitless coffee with MCT oil, butter, maple syrup, collagen protein and fall spices. 1165 N. State St., www.kitchfix.com/store
M Burger Local, house-prepared pumpkin meets vanilla ice cream for a pumpkin pie shake ($5), topped off with graham cracker crumbs and a bit of pumpkin spice. Multiple locations, www.mburgerchicago.com
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