The viral sweet for which hours wait in the tail

Imagine walking on its picturesque streets Florencethe sun will warm the alleys, and you hold a cup that looks like a work of art. No, it’s not a cappuccino – it’s the ultimate sweet, the Gran Crema Caffè vivoli, the other: the most delicious talk of the town right now!

This is a delicious variant of the beloved Italian Affogato. What makes the difference? A single, hot espresso is served in a frozen cup Cappuccino, with four velvet ribbons vanilla swirling on the walls. Every spoonful and a small celebration on the palate!

You find it in Vivoli, a historic pastry shop in the heart of Florence, Via Isola Delle Stinche Street. And if you see a queue reminiscent of a pop star concert, don’t wonder – everyone comes for the same thing: this perfect blend of coffee and ice cream that has won Instagram and Tiktok.

The viral sweet for which hours wait in the tail

Thousands of videos, photos and enthusiastic comments have uploaded it to the top of the viral flavors. The result? Hundreds of tourists sit on the sidewalks outside the nearby church of Saints Simon and Judah, with a cup in his hand and a story in mind.

And yet, until recently, the Gran Crema Caffè was almost unnoticed. Everything changed when American photographer and director Sam Youkilis presented it in a wonderful video he created for the Pucci Resort 2024 fashion show. Aesthetics, music and – of course – the sweet, did their job: Vivoli became Instant Hotspot.

@visititalyofficial What’s the story behind Florence’s iconic affogato? It all began in 1929, when the vivoli gelateria family opening a small dairy shop in the Santa Croce District. But just a few years later, in 1932, Raffaello vivoli had a brilliant Idea – He Transformed the Shop Into a Gelateria. Among Their Signature Creations is the « Gran Crema Al Caffè, » a delightful Blend of Sweet Cream Gelato Drowned in Rich, Better Coffee, Topped with a Sprinkle of Pistachio Granules. A True Taste of Tradition with a Touch of Irresisble Delight! @vivoli Gelateria #visititaly #ITALY #Affogato #florence #firenze #italianfood #coffe #coffee ♬ im in love im obsessed rihanna x casa di remix – casadi

Demand took off so much that the owners – the Patrizia and Silvana Vivoli sisters – opened a second store, right next to the first, dedicated to this dessert. And within a few hours, the new spot was filled with people.

« On the one hand we are excited! We have more customers, we hired six people. On the other hand, locals avoid queues. If we recognize them, we put them forward, but it’s not always easy! « Patrizia says with a smile.

Now, they even think of special staff to organize the tail – which is festive, a little chaotic. Tourists enjoy the sweet on the sidewalks, with coffee in one hand and mobile on the other, capturing every bite.

The result? Florence now has a delicious Influencer Moment, with Gran Crema Caffè becoming a bucket list for anyone visiting the city.

On Instagram the comments give and get: « I’m looking forward to trying it! » one writes one. « I’ll be in Italy next month and that’s the first thing I’ll do! » He writes a second and a third adds: « I don’t regret it for a moment – every minute in the tail it was worth it! »

Others who have already tried it describe it as « the ultimate combo » – ice cream with coffee that travels you. And most … go back within the same week.

So, if you are preparing a trip to Tuscany, put a stop at Vivoli. Not just for viral – but because some flavors are worth living where they were born.