- kylebarber
- First Reviewer
- 3 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 6
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Editor Pick
Florence's Most Famous Gelateria
- October 12, 2009
- Rated 4 of 5 by
airynfaerie from St. Augustine, Florida
If you read any guidebook about where to get gelato in Florence, no doubt that Vivoli Gelateria will be included on the list. Although this place was raved about over and over before our visit, it ended up not to be one of our most favorite in the city. Don't get me wrong, it does offer some amazing flavors with high quality ingredients, but we found that better prices and a warmer atmosphere could be found elsewhere for just as amazing gelato.
If you're staying in the city for several days and have already tried some of the other recommended gelaterias (Grom, Neri for example), then a stop at Vivoli is definitely worth it, if nothing more than to eat creamy gelato at one of (if not the) city's oldest gelateria. Founded by the Vivoli family in the 1930s, Vivoli has worked hard to earn it's world-famous reputation.
Located just a block away from the magnificent Santa Croce church, Vivoli offers not only amazing gelato flavors, but also a case of tasty pastries. When you enter, the small interior is sure to be a little crowded, but make your way to the cashier to pay for your choice first...then take your receipt and go to the gelato counter to pick out your flavor(s). Only cups are offered here, so don't go looking for a waffle cone because you won't find it. Also, be prepared to shell out a hefty fee for even the smallest scoop, as it's one of the most expensive gelaterias in Italy. (Still, we're only talking a few euro for a great experience, so don't NOT go just because of this).
One of the outstanding facts of Vivoli's gelato are the unique flavors and flavor combinations, like pear & caramel, persimmon, dark chocolate & orange liqueur, almond mousse, and about 3 dozen others. Service seemed lacking on my several visits. It's as if they know that they have a great reputation, people will come no matter what, so they don't give you the time of day to engage in any helpful recommendation advise or small talk.
Overall, a good stop for gelato connoisseurs, and a quality, authentic Florentine experience.
• Via Isole delle Stinche, 7r
• www.vivoli.it
• Open 8am-midnight Tue-Sun
From journal Tastings of Gelato in Florence
Vivoli
The best gelato we had in Italy. The lines were out the door for a reason. Very intense flavors--I'm told it changes often. I particularly enjoyed the orange-chocolate combination. Very happy crowd inside. Typical for Italy in that, in marked contrast to the United States, many gelato joints have their own products and flavorings. The door to the back room was left ajar, and there were a bunch of people in there busily cutting up fruit for the day's batches.
From journal Florence
Vivoli
- May 16, 2001
- Rated 1 of 5 by
Mary Louisa from Wilmington, Delaware
Vivoli Gelateria gets lots of press in the guide books, but I'm not sure why. The gelato selection was not as wide as I had been led to expect, the line was extremely chaotic and the place was over-packed. While my and Dave's gelato was good (I got cioccolate and caffe, he got melone and ananas--pineapple), it wasn't worth the trouble, really.
Try Coronas Cafe instead (near the Duomo).
From journal Florence for Romance
Vivoli
- April 12, 2001
- Rated 4 of 5 by
MarkR37 from Madison, Wisconsin
If you are going to eat gelato you might as well start at the top. This little parlor is hectic most of the time and I recommend you go in the afternoon when you are tired of visiting churches and museums and need a little break. The gelato here is excellent! The best we had in Florence (and we tried a bunch). The texture is what separates this place from some of the others. It is smooth and creamy. Try the melon or the chocolate. My only complaint was the service is a little chilly.
From journal Florence, Italy
Vivoli
- December 5, 2000
- Rated 1 of 5 by
BeAdventureous! from Little Rock,, Arkansas
Here's another one all the guidebooks recommended, but I would not go out of my way to find it again. And it is out of the way I might add.
The gelato had freezer burn and the cashier was RUDE. Try anyplace else. They have it on every corner and it is an experience not to be missed!
From journal The heart of Tuscany