One of my favorite food seasons in Dallas is the fall. Not just because the State Fair of Texas gives me the annual excuse to indulge in a deep-fried hot dog sausage and cornmeal batter creation on a wooden stick, but because I think pumpkin is one of the best fruits. Yes, pumpkin is a fruit! But it’s often used as a vegetable in cooking, and there are so many delicious dishes one can make with it. Pumpkin soups, pastas, pies, and coffee drinks are just a few of my favorite things. But autumn is also most fun for food because of all the holidays that allow local bakers and chocolate shops to get creative with desserts and candies.
This is our ultimate bucket list for the must-try bites and sips at the State Fair, local restaurants, coffee shops, and more in Dallas this fall.
Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs also has a food truck at Dallas’ Klyde Warren Park.
Fletcher’s Corny Dogs
Now that the State Fair of Texas has officially commenced, make sure to get your Fletcher’s corny dog before October 19 at the fairgrounds. Or, here’s a little not-so-secret secret: Klyde Warren Park is home to a permanent Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs food truck where you can get the same corny dog.
Also, if you do go to the Fair, Beck Fletcher won the Big Tex Choice Award this year for Best Taste – Sweet, for a Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog filled with milk chocolate fudge and topped with a drizzle of yellow vanilla icing. It’s served with raspberry compote as well to complete the classic condiment illusion.
You’ll find me at the Fair this year with the savory in one hand and the sweet in the other.
The 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards’ Most Creative Award winner, Drizzle Cheesecakes’ “Berry Me in Matcha,” is a must-try dessert at the State Fair this year. (Courtesy)
Berry Me in Matcha
Another must-try this year is the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards’ Most Creative Award winner, Drizzle Cheesecakes’ “Berry Me in Matcha” dessert at the State Fair of Texas. Former two-time Olympic swimmer Stephan El Gidi opened his first brick-and-mortar location of the brand in Irving in 2025. This was after he won at the Big Tex Choice Awards for Best Taste – Sweet in 2023 for his Biscoff Delight. The new matcha-centric dessert features New York-style cheesecake hand-dipped in Belgian white chocolate, rolled in crushed matcha cookies, then drizzled with white chocolate and strawberry jam. It’s then finished with a fresh strawberry slice on top.
Pumpkin Soufflé at rise n°1
Each fall, this Inwood Village restaurant comes out with its seasonal menu of soufflés, which features a pumpkin soufflé. This warm signature dessert is served with a delicious clove creme anglaise. If you’re an Oreo lover or inspired by the season of deep-fried Oreos, you should also ask about their off-the-menu Oreo soufflé.
Lower Greenville’s Cafe Duro is offering four seasonal coffee-forward drinks this fall, including a Pumpkin Pecan Cold Brew. (Courtesy of Cafe Duro)
Pumpkin Lattes, Cold Brews, and Matcha at Local Coffee Shops
As a coffee addict, I could make this list incredibly long, but I’m going to narrow it down to my top five for the fall season.
Pumpkin Pecan Cold Brew with pumpkin-infused milk at Cafe Duro
Spanish Pumpkin Spice Latte at Juju’s Coffee
Nutty Pumpkin Protein Latte at brand new coffee shop, Nūr Coffee Bar
The Great Pumpkin cold brew or matcha at Merit Coffee
The Smashing Pumpkins, available hot or iced, espresso or matcha, at Slow and Steady Coffee
This fall, indulge in the Death Skull — a life-sized dark chocolate skull, bedazzled in edible glitter and a gold tooth, from Dude, Sweet Chocolate. (Courtesy)
Festive Sweets at Local Dessert Shops
And I know I’ve been talking A LOT about the reopening of CocoAndré in a new space in Oak Cliff recently, but it’s exciting for us chocolate lovers, OK? This fall, the beloved chocolate shop is offering its locally iconic Halloween and Día de los Muertos creations.
Plus, more local dessert shops with must-try seasonal offerings:
Death Skull — a life-sized dark chocolate skull, bedazzled in edible glitter and a gold tooth, at Dude, Sweet Chocolate ($50)
Drop Dead Gourdgeous spiced pumpkin pie at Emporium Pies, available through November 30
In its Halloween Series, Portland-based ice cream shop newcomer Salt & Straw is offering the Jack o’ Lantern Pumpkin Bread ice cream that I’ve had my eye on
