A Beccafico Venice: A Culinary Gem for Authentic Italian Dining

A Beccafico restaurant (now known as a Beccafico Guna) has been on our radar since our very first visit to Venice. It’s a favourite of a collection of restaurants all nestled on the quaint Campo Santo Stefano, a beautiful little square not too far from Rio de S vidal and the Ponte dell’Accademia.

A Beccafico provides a slightly more refined dining experience than its neighbours and is a world away from the pushy “Menu turistico” joints that plague most of central Venice. The Sicilian fare on offer is just fabulous. A highlight of which is the wonderful mussel soup, delivered to the table baked and wrapped in a pizza base, served steaming and ready to be sliced into and devoured. It’s a bit of a head turner as the waiters precariously edge their way around tables in the courtyard with the whole thing looking like a giant shell-shaped parcel of bread.

The steak is consistently cooked to perfection. I order slightly over rare whenever we eat here and it always comes as requested, browned with a slight char and dressed in a savoury black pepper sauce –  it’s simple – but mouthwatering, while the variations of pasta on offer are fantastic. The Sciabolini all’astice e polpa di granchio (lobster) and seafood versions being our favourites, and always cooked al dente, as mama intended.

The desserts are good too, if a touch rustic, in particular the Tiramisu which comes served in a glass jar – though be warned – it’s a little on the large side. Don’t bother ordering sweet wines or Limoncello, as these are usually always complimentary.

However, where A Beccafico truly shines is in the quality and generosity of service, no doubt helped along by the ever present manager who is always on hand to offer his advice, whether it is in choosing a wine or translating the Italian menu. Waiters are ushered to tables and happy to indulge in a little conversation and always helpful, not to mention strikingly well presented – with not a tie out of place.

A Beccafico, Campo Santo Stefano, 2801, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy