A Roman Weekend: Your 48-Hour Guide to the Eternal City by the Team at Poco Pizza
At Poco Pizza, we’re proud to specialise in Roman pizza — thinner, crispier, and distinct from the soft, chewy Neapolitan pizzas that have become familiar across the UK. Roman pizza is all about simplicity, texture and precision: a beautifully light dough, long fermented, then stretched into an ultra-thin base with a delicate crunch and perfectly balanced toppings.
This isn’t pizza that sags in the middle. This is pizza that snaps, crackles, and carries the spirit of the Eternal City in every bite.
That’s why we regularly return to Rome — to sharpen our craft, reconnect with the traditions, and soak up the energy that shapes everything we do here in Lyme Regis. From rooftop aperitivos to bustling produce markets, we’ve eaten (and walked) our way through the very best the city has to offer.
So whether you're planning a Roman weekend or just curious about the roots of the pizza you enjoy at Poco, here’s our first-hand guide to Rome in 48 hours — complete with team-tested pizzerias, rooftop bars, and the beating food heart of the city: Trastevere.
Day 1: Friday Evening
Trastevere is Rome’s bohemian soul — a cobbled maze of trattorias, wine bars, ivy-draped balconies and, of course, pizzerias. It’s where locals eat late, talk loud, and mangia bene.
📍 Dinner: Da Baffetto
Our first stop every time we arrive. Da Baffetto, near Piazza Navona, is a Roman institution. Expect queues, chaos and the crispiest thin-based pizzas you’ve ever tasted. No frills, just pizza perfection. This is the benchmark for what we bring back to Dorset.
🍷 Nightcap: Bar del Cinque
Back in Trastevere, wander to Bar del Cinque for a glass of natural wine and some people-watching on Piazza della Scala. Cosy, candlelit, and effortlessly Roman.
Saturday
Morning: Piazza San Cosimato Market + Food Tour
We always start our Saturdays here. It’s where locals shop for fresh artichokes, pecorino, and bunches of basil that smell like summer. We’ve tasted our way through the stalls, scribbling notes on mozzarella quality, cured meats, and heirloom tomatoes — all part of our own pizza R&D.
For visitors, we highly recommend a guided food tour of the market with Kate, a passionate local who brings the neighbourhood's flavours and stories to life.
Midday: Colosseum and Ruins
You've seen it so many times in pictures but the grandeur of the colosseum still packs a punch - best of all the surrounding streets are full of ancient ruins best visited on foot and enjoyed at leisure
Saturday Evening
Evening Aperitivo: Rooftop at Hotel Cesàri
This one’s personal. We discovered the rooftop bar at Hotel Cesàri on our last research trip, and it’s become our team’s favourite hidden gem. It’s quietly tucked away between the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain — expect Negronis, warm light, and one of the best views in Rome.
Dinner: Trattoria Da Enzo al 29
Back to Trastevere for dinner at Da Enzo — simple, traditional Roman cooking done exactly right. Think carbonara with guanciale that melts into silk, and house wine poured from jugs. Bellissimo.
Sunday
For lunch, skip the sit-down and eat like a true Roman local — grab a couple of supplì (deep fried rice balls stuffed with mozzarella) from I Supplì (the best in the city), then head to La Boccaccia in Trastevere for a few slices of pizza al taglio, crisp-bottomed and loaded with seasonal toppings. Perfect for a street-food-style lunch before your flight home.
Afternoon: Campo de’ Fiori or Via del Governo Vecchio
Browse local crafts, old bookstores, and vintage shops. Stop for an espresso at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè — arguably Rome’s finest.
Before You Go: One Last Gelato
Try Otaleg, tucked down a vine-covered alleyway in Trastevere. Flavours like lavender and white peach or Sicilian almond and fig tell you everything you need to know about why Italians take gelato seriously.
Why We Care (and What It Means for You)
Every pizza we serve at Poco Pizza is shaped by our time in Rome — literally. From our dough fermentation to topping simplicity, we’re inspired by what we’ve tasted, touched, and talked about with real Romans.
We don’t just call it “Roman-style.” We live it.
