City Cast DC logo

10 Local Lattes Better Than a PSL

Posted on October 4, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Kaela Cote-Stemmermann

Kaela Cote-Stemmermann

Lattes

Seasonal coffees at Ellington Park Bistro. Sesame Noir coffee in the back. (Photo by Vina Sananikone)

It’s Starbucks pumpkin spice latte season, but we can do better. Like soooo much better. Here are 10 seasonal local cuppa’s that AREN'T a Pumpkin Spice Latte to satisfy that cozy fall craving.

Lapis: Lablaboo Latte

This seasonal fall latte has a vibrant magenta color and flavors of taro and beetroot.

Elle: Autumn Spice Latte

A less sweet and more spicy version of a pumpkin spice latte is launching next week.

Ellington Park Bistro: Sesame Noir Latte

Black sesame puree, honey, vanilla, and steamed milk. The bistro’s new coffee menu also includes a caramel salé with sea salt and creme.

Tryst: Cereal Milk Latte

Oat milk, cinnamon syrup, and shortbread syrup. Tastes just like cinnamon toast crunch.

Commonwealth Joe: Brown Sugar Sage Latte

Sweet and earthy with a dash of nutmeg on top. They also have a spiced peanut butter latte and a cranberry chai.

Colada Shop: Camote con Leche

Espresso with camote dulce, piloncillo cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and steamed milk.

Lablaboo Latte from Lapis.

Lablaboo Latte from Lapis. (Photo by Nayab Jade)

Wydown: Cinnamon Oat Latte

Oat milk and house-made cinnamon syrup. They also have a classic pumpkin spice latte.

The Coffee Bar: Cardamom Latte

This has to be D.C.’s most raved-about seasonal coffee. Classic latte with a dust of cardamom spice.

A Baked Joint: Honey Pecan Milk

This house-made seasonal nut milk can be drunk on its own or with any of their coffee drinks.

Hiriya: Turon Latte

Luckily, this caramelized banana and brown sugar coffee is a permanent part of this new Filipino cafe’s menu. As are their ube and pandan lattes.

Did we miss one? Share your fave.

Share article

Hey DC

Get smart about D.C. with our news roundup and analysis.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Obsessed

See All

The latest in DC

The DC DispatchMay 15

Pirro Says She Will Prosecute Parents of Kids Participating in "Teen Takeovers"

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said parents could face fines or up to six months of jail time.

US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro and US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. (Annabelle Gordon/AFP via Getty Images)
AnnouncementsMay 12

Kaela Cote-Stemmermann Is City Cast DC’s New Food and Culture Reporter

City Cast DC is undergoing an unprecedented expansion of its local newsroom, hiring a team of journalists to create original reporting ab...

The DC DispatchMay 12

"Downright scandalous:" Inside the NSFW text messages that got a top D.C. police official put on leave

An internal report shows ex-executive assistant chief Andre Wright repeatedly sent crude texts and mocked colleagues.

An internal report shows ex-executive assistant chief Andre Wright repeatedly sent crude texts and mocked colleagues. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
The DC DispatchMay 5

Police Chief: 13 Top Officials Face Termination Amid Crime Stats Scandal

Jeffery Carroll also confirmed the restructuring of the department.

Interim MPD Chief of Police Jeffery Carroll.
The DC DispatchMay 4

Multiple D.C. Police Leaders Face Termination Over Crime Data Manipulation

The changes could constitute a sweeping restructuring of department leadership.

Metropolitan Police Department outside of Nationals Park on August 15, 2025. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
AnnouncementsMay 4

We're launching two new newsletters

Sign up now to get the big stories Washington is talking about and our can't-miss guide to food and culture.

DC, ExplainedMay 4

The Obama musical returns Washingtonians to an old, hopeful DC

This raunchy love letter to 2008 D.C. by a former Obama campaign staffer left us weeping with laughter and nostalgia.

TJ Wilkins starring as Barack Obama sings “How Black Is Too Black?” (Courtesy of “44”)
DC Life HacksApril 30

Your Guide to DC in May 2026

So bust out your social planner, here’s our 🔥 super hot 🔥 monthly guide to the District for May.

Union Market drive-in movies. (The Washington Post/Getty Images)