Can’t decide between coffee or dessert? Enter the affogato, an ice cream treat that combines both.
Affogato translates to “drowned” in Italian. Traditionally, the hot and cold, coffee and dessert hybrid consists of a scoop of vanilla gelato with a shot of hot espresso poured over it.
The gelato or ice cream will start melting right away as the espresso runs down the sides and pools at the bottom of the cup. This makes affogatos the kind of treat best enjoyed in the moment, when you can alternate between soft spoonfuls and sipping the creamy, melted concoction. The espresso can also be served on the side, so you can pour over yourself.
The drink-dessert’s short lifespan means it probably doesn’t bode well for delivery, but here are 13 places in metro Phoenix where you can dig into an affogato on the spot or take to your car. For restaurants, the CDC recommends social distancing in entryways and communal areas, and wearing a face mask when not eating.
This Glendale cafe has an extensive coffee and “alternative latte” menu, as well as chimney cakes and crepes. Get extra buzzed on their affogato, which comes with two shots of espresso and a scoop of Madagascar vanilla bean gelato.
Details: 6027 W. Bell Road, Suite B, Glendale. 602-601-6378, facebook.com/dailydripcoffeedesserts.
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Mario Cimmino, who grew up in southern Italy, wanted to bring a taste of home after moving with his family to Scottsdale. Gelato Cimmino uses unpasteurized milk and a recipe that’s been passed down generations, according to the gelato shop’s website.
Detail: 7140 E. Main St., Scottsdale. 480-590-1025, gelatocimmino.com.
Owned by two Italian families over its 12 years in operation, this small grocery, deli and gelateria serves gelato that’s handmade daily. The deli also offers cured meats and cheese imported from Italy.
Details: 5251 E. Brown Road, Suite 103, Mesa. 480-218-0225, gelatodolcevita.com.
Gerard Lombardo was known to students as “gelato guy” after selling gelato for years at Valley high schools. Last fall, the students were delighted to learn he and his wife opened their own shop, Heaven on a Spoon, in Mesa.
Details: 1950 E. University Drive, Suite 102, Mesa. 480-274-1018, heavenonaspoon.com.
After a short hiatus, the affogato is back at the cafe next to Hidden Track Bottle Shop in downtown Phoenix. Owner Craig Dziadowicz converted the cafe into a bodega during the pandemic and has also been steadily expanding the cheese selection.
Details: 111 W. Monroe St., Phoenix. 602-566-7932, hiddentrackcafe.com.
This one is not for the traditionalists. The California ice cream chain is known for its soft-serve topped with raw honeycomb. The honey affogato is drizzled with honey and coffee. There’s also matcha and yuzu affogatos on the menu.
Details: SanTan Village, Loop 202 and Williams Field Road, Gilbert. 480-781-4990, honeymee.com.
Stefano Fabbri, the restaurateur behind the local chain of Pomo pizzerias, operates a gelateria where the gelato is made from scratch. The Luna version uses coffee gelato, served with a bottom layer of delicate whipped cream, coffee liqueur and side of espresso.
Details: The Shops Gainey Village, 8977 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-907-5202, lunagelateria.com.
This vegan cafe and bakery serves dairy-free affogato using a soy and coconut milk-based ice cream, plus chocolate syrup. Nami gets its coffee roasted by Xanadu Coffee Company in downtown Phoenix.
Details: 2014 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-258-6264, tsoynami.com.
Peixoto specializes in coffees from a family farm in Brazil. This local roaster lets customers pick from a rotating selection of gelato for their affogato. Customers also have the option to add various syrups, such as chocolate or lavender.
Details: 11 W. Boston St., Suite 6, Chandler. 480-275-2843, peixotocoffee.com.
This Paradise Valley shop makes handmade ice cream using hormone-free milk that’s pasteurized on their facilities, according to their website. They offer more than 20 different flavors that can be chosen for the affogato.
Details: 10625 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 145, Phoenix. 602-368-1362, thescreamery.com.
This family-owned cafe is known for fish-shaped waffle cones and shaved ice topped with matcha dust, mochi and Asian dessert toppings. The affogato comes as a vanilla soft serve topped with your choice of a shot of espresso, taro syrup or matcha syrup.
Details: 2095 N. Dobson Road, Suite 6, Chandler. 480-268-7711, snowtimeaz.com.
Pair your affogato with cannoli or a sfogliatella at this family-owned gelateria in Scottsdale. The gelato is made daily in batches in flavors such as stracciatella, creme brulee and dolce latte.
Details: 7605 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-419-6280, thatsamoregelato.com.
The honey lavender latte is the most popular drink at this Peoria coffee shop, but there’s plenty to choose from at the espresso bar, including an affogato. The cafe, located next to a spacious neighborhood park, sources its coffee from Peixoto.
Details: 27035 Black Rock Blvd., Peoria. 623-401-9703, wellcoffeeaz.com.
Reach the reporter at Priscilla.Totiya@azcentral.com. Follow @priscillatotiya on Twitter and Instagram.
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