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- 4th Nov 2026
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10 seasonal drinks you’ll want to sip this autumn in the North East
Seasonal drinks are one of autumn’s simple joys in the North East, and our independent cafes have gone all out this year.
From Saltburn to Alnwick, menus are filling up with spiced, toasted, and pudding-inspired creations that give you every excuse to skip your usual flat white.
Whether you’re warming up after a blustery coastal walk along Saltburn-by-the-Sea or taking a break between Ouseburn’s galleries in one of the coolest cafes in Newcastle upon Tyne, we’ve rounded up ten autumn drinks worth leaving the house for.
DEEP NORTH
Arch 6, Stepney Bank, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2NP
Seasonal drink: Salted Maple Cinnamon Latte
Deep North has one rule for its autumn drinks menu: zero pumpkin spice. Instead, the independent doughnut shop and scratch bakery pours a Salted Maple Cinnamon Latte, pairing warm cinnamon with sweet maple and a pinch of salt to keep it from getting sickly. The coffee comes from Allpress Espresso UK and is served hot or iced. Order it alongside one of the seasonal doughnuts, all made from scratch every morning. It’s on at all four sites, in Ouseburn, Tynemouth, Sunderland and Yarm.
HIVE COFFEE COMPANY
Jarrow Hall House, Church Bank, Jarrow NE32 3DY
Seasonal drink: White Chocolate, Orange and Almond Mocha
Hive Coffee Company sits on the ground floor of Jarrow Hall House, a Grade II listed manor overlooking Drewett’s Park. It’s an independent cafe made for slowing down, with cakes baked fresh and herbs grown on site. If you’ve got a sweet tooth or love trying new flavours, its white chocolate, orange and almond mocha gives the classic a zesty, nutty twist. Pair it with a wander round the neighbouring Anglo-Saxon farm and your autumn afternoon’s sorted.
OLIVE & BEAN
17-19 Clayton Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5PN
Seasonal drink: Brûlée Latte
Olive & Bean has been a Newcastle city centre fixture for almost 20 years, baking everything in-house. It’s walk-in only, which makes it a handy stop for a coffee break between shopping trips or a catch-up with friends over cake. Its new brûlée latte pairs smooth, milky coffee with the caramelised, burnt-sugar notes of a crème brûlée. Basically, it’s pudding in a mug.
LOVE LILY
1 Pier Point, Marine Walk, Roker, Sunderland SR6 0PP
Seasonal drink: Cherry Bakewell Hot Chocolate
Right on the seafront at Roker’s Pier Point, Love Lily calls itself the North East’s first pink brunch spot, and it’s a cheerful pit stop with sea views. Its cherry Bakewell hot chocolate takes its cue from the much-loved British bake, swirling rich chocolate with sweet cherry and almond. It’s nostalgic, it’s pudding-inspired, and it’s exactly what you’ll want after a bracing walk along the pier.
KILN
4 Hume Street, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1LN
Seasonal drink: Spiced Pear Chai
Kiln started life as a pottery studio. It still makes its own ceramics, and even built the tables and seats you’ll be sitting at. Tucked into Ouseburn’s creative neighbourhood, it’s an easy stop on an afternoon stroll through the valley. Its new spiced pear chai is a properly autumnal pick, blending fragrant chai spices with the mellow sweetness of pear for a warming alternative to your usual coffee.
WOODS
1–2 King Edward’s Court, Front Street, Tynemouth NE30 4DZ
Seasonal drink: Burnt Mallow Hot Chocolate
On the corner of Tynemouth’s bustling Front Street, with views across to the Priory, Woods is a handy stop for anyone exploring the coast. Whether you’re browsing the independent shops or heading down to the beach, its burnt mallow hot chocolate brings a little campfire nostalgia to your afternoon. It pairs rich chocolate with the toasted sweetness of marshmallow. Consider it your companion for an autumn day by the sea.
THE SITTING ROOM
3 Station Square, Saltburn-by-the-Sea TS12 1AQ
Seasonal drink: Toffee Apple and Cinnamon Matcha
Tucked into the arches of Saltburn’s former railway station, The Sitting Room is a vintage-style teashop by day and cocktail bar by night. It’s a lovely place to refuel while exploring this character-filled seaside town. The menu’s packed with seasonal choices, but the toffee apple and cinnamon matcha is the one to order. Earthy matcha meets sweet toffee apple, finished with vanilla cold foam and a cinnamon crumble. It’s basically a toffee apple in drink form, so what more could you want?
THE NORTHERN ANGELS
7-9 Market Place, Alnwick NE66 1HS
Seasonal drink: Pumpkin Spice Latte
On Alnwick’s Market Place, The Northern Angels is a coffee house with a proudly local identity. If a classic pumpkin spice latte is what you’re craving, this is where to get your fix. Alongside locally roasted coffee, cakes, and teas, it sells sustainable gifts and clothing inspired by the women celebrated in Angels of the North, the book by Joyce Quin and Moira Kilkenny. It’s a coffee stop that wears its Northumberland pride on its sleeve.
THE BOATYARD
1 John Street, Cullercoats, North Shields NE30 4PL
Seasonal drink: Mint Aero Hot Chocolate
Just around the corner from Cullercoats Bay, The Boatyard is an independent seafront cafe known for its brunches, locally sourced ingredients, and relaxed atmosphere. Its coffee beans are roasted by Baristocracy in nearby North Shields, and the scones and cakes are baked fresh every morning. With a Mint Aero hot chocolate on the menu this autumn, that alone seems a good enough reason to head down, if you ask us.
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