Embracing Autumn: A New Menu Full of Warmth, Spice, and Seasonal Treats

By Edinburgh Larder – September 22, 2025

There’s something magical about the arrival of autumn. The air turns crisp, the evenings draw in, and nature offers us a palette of deep oranges, russets, and golds. At The Edinburgh Larder, autumn is a season we particularly love — not only for the beauty outside our café windows but also for the flavours it brings into our kitchen. This year, our new Autumn menu is designed to celebrate the richness of the season, using beautiful, locally sourced ingredients that warm and comfort as the days grow shorter.

From the earthy sweetness of pumpkin to the rich fragrance of cinnamon, we’ve embraced the flavours that make autumn feel so special. And, of course, our talented team of pastry chefs have created indulgent cakes and pastries that make this season irresistible.

At the heart of our new menu is a dish we’re particularly excited about: our delicious cinnamon waffles with homemade nut brittle and pumpkin & brown butter purée.

These aren’t your average waffles. Infused with warming cinnamon, they arrive at the table golden and fragrant, a soft cloud of spice and sweetness in every bite. But the magic really happens in the details: the homemade nut brittle brings a delicate crunch and a caramelised depth that balances the softness of the waffles, while the smooth butternut squash purée adds a vibrant, earthy sweetness. It’s autumn on a plate — indulgent yet grounding, hearty yet elegant.

We wanted to create a dish that celebrated the best seasonal ingredients in an imaginative way. Pumpkin, often overlooked in sweeter dishes, shines here. Its natural sweetness pairs beautifully with cinnamon, and its velvety texture feels perfect against the crisp nut brittle. Together, these elements combine into something comforting and memorable — the kind of dish that makes you slow down, savour each bite, and maybe order a second coffee just to make the moment last.

Of course, no menu at The Edinburgh Larder in Morningside would be complete without the work of our two talented pastry chefs, who bring imagination and skill to everything they make.

Autumn is their favourite time of year too — a season for baking, when spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove take centre stage, and fruits like apples, brambles, and pears are at their best. In our kitchen, the ovens are constantly warm, filling the air with the comforting aroma of freshly baked pastries and cakes.

Among the highlights this season is our bramble frangipane cake. A classic frangipane base is enriched with the tart juiciness of brambles, their deep purple juices staining the almond sponge with pockets of sweetness. It’s rustic, generous, and utterly delicious — the kind of bake that tastes like autumn afternoons in the Scottish countryside. Paired with a coffee or a pot of tea, it’s an instant mood-lifter.

At The Edinburgh Larder, our philosophy has always been about celebrating local, seasonal produce. Autumn in Scotland provides us with a treasure trove of ingredients: root vegetables like squash and beetroot, orchard fruits, berries, and hardy greens. By designing our menu around these seasonal offerings, we’re able to create food that feels rooted in place and time.

There’s also something about eating seasonally that just feels right. A pumpkin purée in spring might feel heavy, but in September or October, it’s exactly what your body craves. Similarly, the tart sweetness of brambles is fleeting — a reminder that autumn itself is a transient season, one to be savoured before winter arrives.

We work closely with local suppliers to source the best of what’s available, which means that our dishes are not only delicious but also sustainable, supporting the growers and producers who keep Scotland’s food culture thriving.

There’s a sense of ritual in the way we approach this season. When customers come through our doors, they’re greeted by the cosy warmth of the café, the scent of cinnamon, freshly baked pastries, and strong coffee in the air. Outside, the trees on Morningside Road may be shedding their leaves, but inside, there’s a feeling of abundance and comfort.

This year’s autumn menu reflects that spirit. It’s about balance — dishes that feel indulgent without being overwhelming, familiar flavours presented in new ways, and sweet treats that make an ordinary day feel like a celebration.

Whether you’re joining us for a leisurely brunch with friends, stopping by for a slice of bramble frangipane cake on your way home, or treating yourself to our cinnamon waffles on a Sunday morning, we hope our new menu gives you the same joy we felt in creating it.

We’d love for you to experience this new menu for yourself. Come and settle into a cosy corner of The Edinburgh Larder in Morningside, order a coffee, and let the flavours of the season work their magic.

This autumn, we’ve put our hearts into creating food that not only tastes delicious but also feels like a celebration of the season itself. From the golden crunch of nut brittle to the tender sweetness of brambles, from the warmth of cinnamon to the vibrant orange of butternut squash, our menu is a love letter to autumn.

So wrap up warm, take a walk through Morningside’s leafy streets, and then join us at The Larder. We promise — autumn has never tasted so good.