Where to satisfy your pumpkin cravings

The Outlier:

Pumpkin curry; kadoo bolanee

Ariana Afghan Kebab 787 Ninth Ave.

When most people think of pumpkin-flavored foods, images of pies and pastries come to mind. Not at Ariana. Try the pumpkin curry entree at this small, authentic Afghan restaurant. Big chunks of pumpkin are covered in yogurt sauce over rice, resulting in a filling and unique dish. If you don't think you can handle that much pumpkin, try the kadoo bolanee, a type of fried pumpkin turnover. Crispy and with a slightly sweet flavor, it makes for a great appetizer.

The Comfort Food:

Pumpkin-stuffed pancakes; pumpkin scones

Alice's Tea Cup 102 W. 73rd St. (and two Upper East Side locations)

The pumpkin puree-stuffed pancakes at Alice's Tea Cup make for a great Sunday brunch. Arrive early or make reservations because all of the locations are fairly small and usually packed. The ambiance and delicious food are worth the wait though. Don't have much time? Pick up a pumpkin scone instead, and venture deeper into the rabbit hole with every bite.

The Crowd Pleaser:

Ginger custard pumpkin pie

Sweet Melissa Patisserie 276 Court St./175 Seventh Ave. (Brooklyn)

Running late to your friend's house for Thanksgiving dinner and don't know what to bring? Stop by Sweet Melissa Patisserie and pick up a ginger custard pumpkin pie. The blend of season-appropriate flavors will have all of your friends thanking you. This restaurant and pastry shop's bare brick walls and romantic ambiance also make for a great place to go out to eat. Try to save room for sampling the rest of the delicious desserts on the menu!

The After-Work Drink:

Smiling Pumpkin Ale; Stumpkin

Heartland Brewery 93 South St.

It might be a chain, but Heartland Brewery is still a great place to unwind after a long day. The pub brews its own beers and changes them frequently depending on the season. Currently the Smiling Pumpkin Ale and the Stumpkin are the two fall-themed options. If you like Guinness, you'll enjoy the Stumpkin, while the Smiling Pumpkin Ale is great for those who prefer lighter beers. Or try mixing it with something. Our personal favorite? Smiling Pumpkin Ale and hard cider!

Girls' Night Out:

Pumpkin cupcakes with cream-cheese icing

Sugar Sweet Sunshine 126 Rivington St.

After busting your pants on Thanksgiving dinner, it might not make a lot of sense to top it all off with cupcakes, but these are worth every pumpkin-y calorie. Pumpkin-flavored cake and cream-cheese icing might sound like an odd combination, but you'll be eating these long after Thanksgiving is over.