By Hope Krawczyk and Taylor Petruccio
Vivoli Gelato in Florence has been around since the 1930s, but it recently went viral thanks to a now-famous affogato that’s been all over TikTok and Instagram. I saw the clips before my abroad experience and made a mental note to check it out. It was absolutely worth the stop.
The shop is right in the center of Florence, just a few minutes’ walk from the Duomo. When I got there, there were a few people ahead of me, mostly other travelers who had clearly also seen it online. Vivioli has an old-school feel, which honestly adds to the charm. It doesn’t feel commercial or overdone, just authentic.
When you order the affogato, you get one option: vanilla gelato. No crazy flavors or mix-ins. Just a generous scoop of vanilla shaped and served in a cup, with a hot shot of espresso poured over it right in front of you. I chose just vanilla rather than vanilla with pistachios on top, but that’s just a personal preference.
The combination is simple but so well done. The gelato is creamy and smooth, not too sweet, and the espresso is bold and freshly made. Once it hits the gelato, it starts melting into this warm cold blend that’s rich and satisfying without being heavy. No gimmicks, just two things done right.
It cost 6 euros, and honestly, that felt like a great deal. You get a solid amount of gelato plus a fresh espresso shot. It’s not overpriced at all, especially considering the quality and portion size. It felt more like a small dessert and coffee rolled into one than just a scoop with coffee on top.
I’d definitely go out of my way to have it again. It’s one of those rare food experiences that lives up to the viral hype without trying too hard. If you’re in Florence and enjoy coffee or gelato or just want something quick and really good, this is one of those stops that’s totally worth it.
Vivioli isn’t trying to reinvent anything. They’re just doing a classic affogato really well. And in a city full of food options, that’s something that stands out.
Watch our Youtube review here