Affogato—short for “affogato al caffè” or “drowned in coffee”—is somewhere between a beverage and dessert. Traditionally made by pouring fresh espresso over plain gelato or vanilla ice cream, the simple dish is a popular after-meal treat. The simplicity of the recipe allows for creative twists—some bars include a shot of liqueur, some eateries change up the ice cream flavors, and others keep it simple and stick to tradition.
No matter how you prefer your affogato, it’s a great summer treat. From local cafes and breweries to fine-dining restaurants, here’s where to find mouthwatering affogato in Delaware.
Fusco’s
Wilmington’s water ice hotspot recently opened a second location on Kirkwood Highway. Along with the classic water ice, this location serves up homemade soft-serve, lactose-free options and a top-notch affogato.
You don’t typically walk into a water ice shop expecting high-quality espresso to be pulled behind the counter, but Fusco’s isn’t a typical water ice shop. The Delaware mainstay is known for using quality ingredients and is committed to tradition, making everything in-house from scratch. In that spirit, Fusco’s keeps it simple with a scoop of mouthwatering ice cream and coffee imported from Naples.
3926 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington
The Brandywine
The Brandywine’s affogato is true to the classic recipe, crafted with espresso and gelato.
2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilmington
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Liquid Alchemy Beverages
The Wilmington mead and cider hotspot offers a unique spin on the classic treat. Ice cream from Woodside Farm Creamery is infused with Ground & Tapped maple coffee mead. In the tasting room, Liquid Alchemy offers the ice cream by itself or in a coupe glass with a Ground & Tapped espresso martini poured over it.
28 Brookside Drive, Wilmington
Scout Cafe
As part of its summer coffee flight, Scout Cafe serves an affogato. Scout is already a local favorite for espresso, and pouring it over vanilla ice cream is an easy way to take it a step up from the everyday latte or cappuccino. The treat is best enjoyed on Scout’s patio on a hot summer day.
2316 Baynard Boulevard, Wilmington
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Bardea Steak
Diving into Bardea Steak’s affogato is a great way to end a romantic evening at Wilmington’s Best Date Night Restaurant. After a night of tasting inventive flavors and unique dishes, the simplicity of a classic affogato is the perfect comedown for dessert.
608 North Market Street, Wilmington
La Casa Pasta
La Casa Pasta serves up a traditional affogato with a scoop of gelato drowned in fresh espresso.
120 Four Seasons Parkway, Newark
Sazio
Sazio in Rehoboth offers a boozy take on the Italian dessert with its “Affogato Martini,” made with your choice of gelato with the “sazspresso martini” poured on top. Or, skip the booze and enjoy house-made vanilla or chocolate gelato topped with fresh espresso.
32 Lake Avenue, Downtown Rehoboth Beach
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