When an Affogato hits the table, the ice cream isn't just scooped in haphazardly—it's shaped into cubes and lined up standing against the glass wall, with espresso slowly poured into the center. It's a plating style that's been trending in Florence lately, and right now it's also the most Instagram-ready moment at Caffe Yaya. The black sesame flavor (RMB 58) is widely considered one of the best combos on the menu, alongside salted caramel, matcha, and vanilla bean (RMB 48). If you're not into the coffee mashup, single scoop (RMB 38) or double scoop (RMB 58) options are available too.
Caffe Yaya is the sister spot to Yaya's Pasta Bar, tucked into the ground floor of NOA Hotel on Wuding Road, running as an all-day café. The space is more polished than your typical neighborhood coffee shop—a walnut-wrapped bar handles the coffee, classic cocktails, and gelato, while across from it sits a dining area lined with cushioned booth seating. The vibe is comfortable enough to make you want to pull out your laptop and camp there all afternoon—though the staff probably wouldn't be thrilled about that particular use case.
The menu carries forward Yaya's East-meets-West Italian approach, but this time the focus is squarely on pasta. The noodles aren't made in-house, but the ingredients don't skimp. The Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin Pasta (RMB 108) is described as a tribute to Saizeriya nostalgia, though the execution's been leveled up considerably: Angus M3-grade short rib paired with an au poivre sauce studded with cracked black peppercorns, finished in a glossy demi-glace. The nostalgia's there, and so is that familiar sense of comfort.
