Best Pumpkin Dishes In Metro Detroit

Nothing says fall, Halloween and cold weather quite like some delicious comfort food. Winter is the time to pack on the pounds in an ice-cold tundra like Detroit, but not all comfort foods need to be fattening. One of the top fall flavors for Detroiters is the sweet and complex taste of pumpkin, which seems to arise from all over this time of year. From the devilishly-sweet to the heavenly-healthy, the pumpkin is capable of so many wonderful flavors, and these Metro Detroit eateries have some of the best pumpkin dishes around.

The Root Restaurant
340 Town Center Blvd.
White Lake Township, MI 48386
(248) 698-2400
www.therootrestaurant.com

Awarded by Hour Detroit magazine as the Top Restaurant for General Excellence 2014, The Root is never shy about using fresh-grown and locally sourced vegetables in all of its cooking. This fall, The Root will be adding the delectable flavor of pumpkin to a number of dishes, as it looks to always highlight the seasonal offerings of gardens and produce in the area. Keep your eyes open for the sweet-themed pumpkin desserts as the weather changes.

The Inn Season Cafe
500 E. 4th St.
Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 547-7916
www.theinnseasoncafe.com

Perhaps no restaurant better emphasizes the use of fresh vegetables in its meals than the one-and-only Inn Season Cafe in downtown Royal Oak. This vegetarian and vegan option has been offering the best fall favorites, including a number of salads and sides that showcase pumpkin, for decades. This time of year, with gardens in bloom, produces a smorgasbord of options for great chefs, just like those at The Inn Season.

Ashley's 
338 S. State St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 996-9191
www.ashleys.com

Perhaps it's not so much of the actual food or desserts that you want to be tasting like pumpkin to get you in the autumn mood this fall, but maybe something to drink that will get you through a tough and cold football season? Ashley's in Ann Arbor is known around the world for having the largest beer selection in the Mitten State and one of the best in the country. Chosen by Draft magazine as a Top 100 Beer Bar, Ashley's specializes in seasonal beers, too, including its famous ACE Pumpkin Cider, which scores high marks on its website. Come and try all of the great pumpkin-flavored choices.

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Jolly Pumpkin
311 S. Main St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 913-2730
www.jollypumpkin.com

How could you possibly go wrong looking for a pumpkin dish in Metro Detroit with a place that actually has the words "Jolly Pumpkin" in its name? Jolly Pumpkin, located in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor, is a cozy little artistry pub and fine eatery. Known for its amazing, homemade pizzas with the freshest local ingredients, there is one item on the menu that few can resist: The Pumpkin Whoopie Pie. This delicious dish is a local favorite that will sweeten up any dreary fall afternoon.

Gandy Dancer
401 Depot St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 769-0592
www.muer.com/gandy-dancer

Every fall, including on Thanksgiving, the Gandy Dancer takes on a whole new persona. The restaurant, which is situated in the amazing decorum of the renovated 1886 Michigan Central Depot, is well known throughout the area for its interesting and creative presentation of dishes and meals. One item that should never be missed is its scrumptious pumpkin pie which can also be ordered over the Thanksgiving holiday. But in all honestly, the atmosphere of the Gandy Dancer almost makes this a must eat-in location, just to enjoy the beautiful ambiance.

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