Kitchener-Waterloo is one of the most picturesque places to experience autumn. Whether you’re canoeing on the Grand River or strolling through Huron Natural Area, the changing leaves throughout the region are breath-taking. But before you venture out to embrace this sweater weather, you should be aware of the best seasonal staples KW has to offer.
BEER
Some of the region’s breweries are offering seasonal features.
Waterloo Brewing has launched their signature series collection with a Roasted Vanilla Espresso Dark Lager, Irish Cream Stout and a tasty Apple Crumble Porter. Elora Brewing Company is serving up Autumn Logger, a märzenbier German-style amber lager.
CANDLES
The nostalgic smell of a great candle can help you get into the autumn mood and make any atmosphere feel warm and cozy. There’s no shortage of local candle makers in the region. They offer their own take on fall scented candles.
You will wish you could eat the candles from Sweet & Spice Candles in Waterloo. They created a variety of fall scents: Blueberry Pumpkin, Farmstand Apple and Hot Apple Cider.
You could also embrace the cozy fall vibes with scents like Cinnamon Roll, Pumpkin Cheesecake and Cozy Flannel from Idle & Wood Candle Co. in Kitchener.
For something a little bit different, check out Gracious Candle Co. from Baden with unique scents like Vanilla Chai, Clementine & Clove and Grapefruit and Juniper.
COMFORT FOOD
Warm yourself up with an order of Crafty Ramen’s Gryphon, or order country hearty soup from Fat Sparrow Marketplace.
For the tastes of the season, order a pretzel from Grainharvest Breadhouse, visit MIGA Japanese & Korean for the Buttercup Squash Roll or try a beet salad from Princess Cafe.
FARMS
Take part in the harvest season by visiting some of KW’s local farms.
Pick fresh apples at Martin’s Family Fruit Farm or Downey Apple Orchard in Breslau. Find your way through the 5-acre corn maze at Snyders Family Farm. Or find the perfect pumpkin at one of the region’s great pumpkin patches.
In addition to Synder’s Family Farm, Benjamin Tree Farm and Good Family Farm Pumpkins in Waterloo, Shantz Family Farm in Petersburg and Trussler Farms in Kitchener all offer a fun fall experience.
HOT DRINKS
There’s a lot more to fall drinks than pumpkin spice lattes.
The Grove Cafe in Kitchener offers alternatives like a seasonal cranberry-apple loose leaf tea with hibiscus or a pumpkin spice latte made from actual pumpkin. You can grab a chai latte at The Yeti Cafe, or a hot apple cider from Cafe Pyrus.
Get together with some friends for a cozy afternoon of board games at The Adventurers Guild Cafe in DTK. Here, you can order the St Jacobs Rain (steamed milk, apple cinnamon tea and maple syrup with a slice of apple), or the Misty Mountain (apple cinnamon latte with chocolate milk and whipped cream).
SWEET TREATS
The cooler weather and reduced daylight may leave you craving a sweet pick-me-up. Local cafes, bakeries and restaurants offer delicious seasonal snacks.
If doughnuts are your thing, Debrodniks is offering seasonal flavours, but you will have to arrive early in the day to beat the rush. Lady Glaze Doughnuts also has a seasonal menu until Oct. 31, including flavours like Gluten Free Apple Cider, Carrot Cake Fritter and Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Roll. Pick up a fresh cinnamon bun from Cafe Pyrus or The Yeti Cafe on your way to the Kitchener Market, or take a trip to St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market to try an apple fritter from The Fritter Co.
If you’re still on the hunt for some sweet treats, try the churros at America Latina Grocery and Eatery, the Bourbon Pecan Pie with vanilla ice cream at Grand Trunk Saloon or the Gluten Free Pumpkin Squares from Java Garden in Waterloo.
Care Lucas
Care Lucas is Executive Director of WLU Student Publications, and Publisher of TCE. You may have bumped into her at Steel Rails over the years, or in one of the Region’s many magical record stores where she regularly combs through stacks of vinyl. At home she spends time building puzzles with her son Atticus, cat Garfunkel and chinese crested dogs Star and Dookie.