Let’s face it: pumpkin spice can get a little old.

While the nutmeg and cinnamon-infused latte can be a great way to match the changing leaves, having the same flavor for the entire chilly semester can get repetitive. Rather than spending each morning in a coffee shop waiting for the Great Pumpkin spice latte, try these other fall dishes around D.C.

Sweet Potato Nachos, Chaia Georgetown

Faye Tyschper | Reporter

If you’re searching for sustainable vegetarian eats while admiring the oranges and reds of fall foliage, look no further than local vegetarian eatery Chaia, and enjoy a seasonal twist on a quintessential Mexican dish: nachos.

Chaia’s sweet potato nachos ($9.55) are an ode to the fresh produce of the cooler fall months. A bed of crispy corn chips is finished with black beans, pillowy sweet potato cubes and a pile of toppings larger than the heaps of leaves on the ground. Whether you’re a fall fanatic or reluctant to trade out your shorts for sweatpants, the balance of sweet, savory and spicy flavor profiles can make even the most die-hard summer fans appreciate the change in season.

3207 Grace St. NW. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Cardamom Bun, Mikko

Nora Fitzgerald | Senior Staff Writer

Tucked away off a quaint Dupont side street, Mikko is bringing the flavors of Scandinavia to fall in D.C. With concepts like hygge and fika, the Scandinavians sure know how to add a little flair to fall, and their food is the epitome of that. The quintessential cardamom bun ($4) from Mikko’s pastry section is an artful combination of spice and sweetness, and flavor only gets better when dunked in a hot latte.

The bun is similar in size and taste to a classic cinnamon roll, but the spice from the cardamom takes the dish to the next level. With hints of mint, lemon and cinnamon, cardamom is a slightly smokey spice that is almost reminiscent of a fall campfire. Ask for the bun served warm and indulge in the buttery, aromatic dough, topped with slightly crunchy pieces of sweet cardamom sugar. Cuddle up with a cardamom bun and cup of coffee, and enjoy the happiness of your fika celebration.

1636 R St. NW. Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Fall Chocolate Chunk Cookie, Levain Bakery

Nicola Degregorio | Reporter

A Manhattan-born institution, Levain Bakery sets the standard for the gooey chocolate chip cookie. Centrally situated in Georgetown — often boasting a line out the door — the bakery’s seasonal fall chocolate chunk cookie ($5.00) transforms this beloved classic.

After breaking open the crunchy treat, the still-warm cookie oozed dark chocolate, encased in buttery dough with a soft sheen. Showcasing rich autumnal flavors, the cookie makes a nod to pumpkin spice with nutmeg and cinnamon, but changes the classic flavor up by adding smoky, gingerbread-like molasses. Not overly sweet either, this blend of spicy and rich makes for a decadent fall treat leaving one thinking wishfully into the season ahead.

3131 M St. NW. Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Lavender Iced Matcha Latte, Emissary

Hannah Popper | Reporter

My summer romance with Emissary’s iced matcha latte left me craving something fresh for the fall season and Emissary’s lavender iced matcha latte ($5.75 to $6.25) adds a fall twist to the timeless favorite. Fall is the last time of year before lavender plants go dormant for the winter, and the comforting taste evokes feelings of being bundled up inside as temperatures fall.

Combining matcha with lavender creates a creamy, floral flavor profile. The matcha’s robust essence takes center stage while its lavishly delicate lavender notes capture your senses, unfolding with a gentle whisper of sweetness. Sip by sip, the fall-inspired twist invites you to savor the changing seasons in a cup.

2032 P St. NW. Open Monday through Wednesday 7 :30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Mango Special, Bandoola Bowl

Arjun Srinivas | Reporter

While most associate autumn with pumpkin pie, this time of year is also when mangos are sweetest. And it’s because of this that Western Market vendor Bandoola Bowl now features a seasonal salad bowl ($10 to $13) filled with vegetables, noodles and spices centered around the tropical fruit.

The thin strips of mango never steal the show from the dish’s protein and vegetables but rather add a satisfying hint of sweetness to the flavor profile. Their freshness cuts through the spices and provides a fruity taste, giving a soothing quality to a dish that’s already filled to the brim with flavor. 

2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Maple Cider Chicken, DIG

Katrina Hauser | Reporter

As the weather cools down and the holidays approach, students naturally start craving the warmth of a home-cooked meal. To fulfill this desire, DIG, a New York City restaurant chain, opened a new location on Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown earlier this year, offering farm-to-table ingredients and comfort foods that evoke a homestyle feel.

This fall, DIG is offering a Maple Cider Chicken dish ($13.20). In it, DIG’s charred chicken is dressed in a maple cider glaze and paired with golden Brussels sprouts, kale apple crunch and spiced farro. The autumnal maple cider glaze adds a subtle sweetness to the whole dish that compliments the savory elements. DIG offers patrons the chance to sit outside with the last of warm weather, take in the smell of maple cider and enjoy a delicious fall-themed glaze.

1301 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.