A €6 coffee dessert has become the latest viral sensation in Florence, drawing crowds of tourists and creating hour-long lines outside the city’s oldest gelateria.
The creamy drink, called the Gran Crema Caffè Vivoli, is a twist on the classic Italian affogato – a shot of hot espresso served in a pre-chilled cappuccino cup with four strips of smooth vanilla gelato lining the edges.
It’s sold at Vivoli, a historic ice-cream shop on Via Isola delle Stinche, which has now become an essential pitstop for visitors to the Tuscan city.
The queue stretches down the street and is made up almost entirely of foreign tourists, many of whom say they discovered the dessert on TikTok or Instagram.
Hundreds of videos and photos featuring the drink have taken over social media in recent weeks, propelling it into the next must-try treat.
According to Italian news site, Corriere Fiorentino, dozens of tourists are often seen sitting on the pavement outside the nearby church of Saints Simon and Judas with their phones out, cups in hand, as they enjoy the viral delicacy.
Although the Gran Crema Caffè was added to Vivoli’s menu in 2023, it didn’t attract much attention at first.
That changed after American photographer and director Sam Youkilis featured it in a short film he created for the Pucci Resort 2024 fashion show.
The Gran Crema Caffè Vivoli, is a twist on the classic Italian affogato – a shot of hot espresso served in a pre-chilled cappuccino cup with four stripes of vanilla gelato lining the edges
The queue outside of Vivoli stretches down the street and is made up almost entirely of foreign tourists, many of whom say they discovered the dessert on TikTok or Instagram
His video, which also showed scenes from around the city, helped launch the dessert to viral fame.
As demand surged, Vivoli opened a second location next door, dedicated exclusively to selling the Gran Crema Caffè.
The new shop opened on Monday, April 7, and was immediately overwhelmed with customers.
Patrizia Vivoli, who co-owns the gelateria with her sister Silvana, told Corriere Fiorentino: ‘I am torn now, because on the one hand all this is wonderful: we have many more customers and we have hired six people.
‘But on the other hand fewer and fewer Florentines come to get our ice cream, because they are scared of the long lines. If we recognise a Florentine customer, we let him go ahead, but you can’t always recognise him.’
The team is also considering hiring stewards to help manage the crowds, many of whom now eat on the sidewalk outside the shop.
With more tourists arriving each day and the treat continuing to trend online, the sisters say they’re adjusting to the attention – and speaking more English than ever before behind the counter.
Meanwhile, on Instagram, interest continues to mount among hopeful visitors who wish to try the viral dessert.
The drink is sold at Vivoli, a historic ice-cream shop on Via Isola delle Stinche, which has now become an essential pitstop for visitors to the Tuscan city
Hundreds of videos and photos featuring the drink have taken over social media in recent weeks, propelling it into the next must-try treat
As demand surged, Vivoli opened a second location next door, dedicated exclusively to selling the Gran Crema Caffè
On Instagram, interest continues to mount among hopeful visitors who wish to try the viral dessert
One person wrote, ‘Wow I wanna try,’ while another commented, ‘CANNOT WAIT,’ as a third added, ‘I will be in Italy next month .. excited about my trip and will be tasting all the delicious.’
Other tourists who have already sampled the treat encouraged their followers to visit the shop.
One person wrote: ‘The Best! Just visited this week. Beyond delicious. Couple walked by and she said nothing is that good to wait in this line. WRONG!! Worth waiting every second and the line moved fast.
Another said: ‘We of course seen [sic] Vivoli on tik tok for the famous Affogato and it certainly did not disappoint!!
‘Lew went for the Classic and I got the Pistachio, they were sooo good the sweet gelato with the coffee was the most perfect combo, we will definitely be going back again this week.’
