Alla Beccaccia

The story

Alla Beccaccia, Pula – Bib Gourmand Istrian Cuisine in Valbandon

Alla Beccaccia

In Valbandon, just outside Pula, Alla Beccaccia is a family-run konoba where the cooking is rooted in the seasons of Istria. The dining room is warm and unfussy, but it is the terrace—set under the Istrian sky—that gives the place its character.

The kitchen, led by chef and owner Annamaria Kolić, works with local producers and traditional recipes. Starters include posutice pasta with codfish, spicy corzetti with leek and cauliflower, and pasta with Boškarin beef stew. Main courses range from grilled Istrian sausages and ombolo (pork loin) to slow-cooked Boškarin ox neck and veal shoulder cooked under a čripnja—the traditional iron bell that seals in flavour. A free-range pijetlić (young rooster), also cooked under the bell, is available by prior order. Sides—baked potatoes, polenta, seasonal vegetables—are included in the price. Desserts like cinnamon roll with hazelnut sauce and rice pudding brulée with pear and chocolate round out the meal.

The wine list is curated by sommelier and co-owner Ivor Kolić, with a focus on regional bottles that complement the classic cuisine. The restaurant has earned a Bib Gourmand from Michelin, recognising good quality, good value cooking—a fitting nod to the care taken here.

For those who want to linger, there is also a small B&B in the same courtyard, offering a three-course dinner and overnight stay. Alla Beccaccia is closed on Mondays.