If you’ve followed Wales247 for a while, you might remember that back in 2022 we attempted to conquer the Roman Empire at Coco Gelato on Woodville Road. It did not go well.
We went down fighting, spoons in hand, defeated by melted gelato and poor planning. But time heals. Confidence returns. And hunger, apparently, makes you forget.
So here we are in 2026, back for round two.
A quick reminder. What is the Roman Empire?
For the uninitiated, the Roman Empire is not just a dessert. It is an event.
You get 18 scoops of gelato sitting proudly on top of four hot waffles, finished with fresh fruit, chocolate bars of your choice, and as many toppings and sauces as you dare. It arrives at your table like a sugary centrepiece. Heads turn. Cameras come out. Regret usually follows.
In 2022 it cost £38.95.
In 2026 it costs £48.95.
Ours came to £49.45 once we added a few extras. Inflation has entered the chat.
First impressions this time round
A few things have changed. Ordering is now done via digital screens. It works well and makes sense, especially when it’s busy, although a couple of flavours showed as available when they were not. Minor issue, easily sorted at the counter.
The place itself is still clean, bright and packed with that sweet smell that only an ice cream parlour can produce. When the waffles start cooking, the scent alone could convince you this challenge is a good idea.
Our 2026 strategy
Last time, the waffles were buried under melting gelato. Rookie error. This year we asked for the waffles to be cut into quarters and placed around the edge. The thinking was simple. Keep structure. Avoid soggy chaos. Maintain morale.
It sort of worked.
We went big on flavours:
- Blue Bubblegum
- Brownie
- KitKat
- Mars
- Mint Choc Chip
- Oreo
- Pistachio
- Reeses Cup
- Vanilla
- Strawberry
Plus blueberries, brownie pieces, KitKat chunks, marshmallows, strawberries and plenty of chocolate sauce.
On paper, it looked manageable. In reality, once the melting begins, everything merges into a colourful, sugary soup. If someone in your group chooses a flavour you cannot stand, you will know about it. Quickly.
Lesson learned. Fewer flavours next time. Pick ones everyone actually likes.
Did we finish it?
No.
Not even with an extra helper this year.
In fact, looking back, we may have done worse than 2022. Confidence is not a substitute for stomach capacity.
The real enemy is time. Once it starts melting, you are racing the clock. What begins as perfectly scooped gelato becomes a dairy lake surrounding fragments of waffle.
Is it worth it?
Yes.
Not because you will finish it. You probably won’t.
Not because it’s the most cost effective way to eat ice cream. It isn’t.
But because it’s an experience.
You gather round, you plan tactics, you argue over flavours, you laugh when it all goes wrong. You get the photo. You create the memory. And that is really what this is about.
Could you spend the same money ordering separate sundaes and actually finishing them? Absolutely.
But then you would not get to say you attempted to conquer the Roman Empire on Woodville Road.
One day, we will return. Third time lucky.
Maybe.
