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Savor Autumn: Fresh Fall Eats Near Columbus Circle & the Upper East Side

Written by Nice Stay NYC on . Posted in Helpful Hints, Your Stay's Plan.

Nothing says autumn in New York quite like apple cider donuts, fresh farmers’ market produce, hearty soups, and pumpkin-spiced treats. Near Columbus Circle and the Upper East Side, this year’s lineup of markets, cafés, and cozy eateries offers a mix of longtime favorites and exciting new finds.

Explore Fall Food & Fresh Markets

Make Sunday mornings special at the 79th Street Greenmarket (Columbus Ave, 77th–81st), where local farmers and bakers serve up cider, honey, cheeses, and seasonal produce—plus the legendary apple cider donuts and baked goods. Fall brings a riot of colors and flavors, with jams, storage crops, and hearty proteins perfect for cooler days.

The nearby 82nd Street Greenmarket (Sundays, 82nd & Columbus) also features seasonal harvests, local honey, and rotating baked specialties.

New Soup Spots & Cozy Classics

Soup lovers have plenty to celebrate this fall. Schnipper’s Quality Soups just opened on the Upper East Side (849 Lexington Ave, near 64th), bringing the original founders of Hale and Hearty back where it all began. Expect comforting classics—think tomato bisque, seasonal pumpkin, and hearty chowders—served with nostalgia and a twist.

Don’t miss the neighborhood’s soup legends: The Original Soup Kitchen (yes, the one made famous on Seinfeld), 2nd Ave Deli’s matzoh ball soup, E.J.’s Luncheonette chicken soup, Butterfield Market’s minestrone, and Meijin Ramen’s steaming bowls—perfect for warming up after a brisk city stroll.

Pumpkin Coffee & Donut Delights

Pumpkin spice coffee is everywhere this season, but newcomers like Vanilla Gorilla Café (332 W 44th) are shaking things up with rich pumpkin lattes. Outro NYC (816 Broadway) is buzz-worthy for oat milk pumpkin spice creations, while Partners Coffee’s limited-edition Pumpkin Pie Latte celebrates local roasters and flavors.

On the Upper East Side, check out Artara Coffee (82nd between 2nd & 3rd), a Cambodian café serving bold pumpkin drinks and fresh autumn breads. Local favorites like Charlotte Café and Perk Café are also brewing house-made pumpkin lattes this fall.New Soup Spots & Cozy Classics

Must-Experience Fall Food & Wine Events

If you’re not full yet, mark your calendars for some of the city’s best can’t-miss NYC’s fall food events:

  • Smith & Wollensky’s Wine Week (October 13–17, 2025): Sample 10 wines with lunch at this Midtown classic.
  • NYC Wine & Food Festival (October 15–19, 2025): Walk-around tastings, celebrity chefs, pop-up wine bars, and curated pairings—an essential autumn event.
  • Autumn Crush Wine & Food Festival (November 15, 2025): Over 100 wines and artisanal foods curated by sommeliers.
  • Queens Night Market (ongoing fall weekends): International bites and unique seasonal finds under the stars.

Plan Your Fall Food Crawl

Pick a crisp weekend day, map out your markets, coffee stops, and soup spots, and turn your NYC stay into a cozy culinary adventure. Whether you’re sampling a new soup shop, clutching a pumpkin latte, or nibbling fresh cider donuts in Central Park, New York serves autumn flavor at every turn.