Café
Mandabatmaz
A tiny Turkish coffee spot in a passage off İstiklal Avenue, known for thick, strong coffee served to customers perched on stools in the alley.
Vefa Bozacısı
Istanbul's oldest boza shop, opened in Vefa in 1876 by Hacı Sadık Bey, serving boza, the thick fermented grain drink, topped with chickpeas.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic boza shop
- Area
- Vefa, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Price
- $ · Budget
- Official site
- vefa.com.tr
- Last checked
- October 23, 2026
Good to know
- Historic interior
- Bottled drinks to take away
Why we recommend it
Hacı Sadık Bey, who came to Istanbul from Prizren, opened this shop below the Süleymaniye in 1876, and his family still runs it. It is devoted to boza, a thick, tangy fermented grain drink traditionally drunk in winter, served in glasses at the marble counter and topped with chickpeas. The old-fashioned interior has changed little over the decades, and a glass Atatürk drank from is displayed in a case.
In warmer months the shop leans more on its sherbets and grape must, and it sells vinegars and pomegranate molasses too. Visit on a cold evening for the full experience, and combine it with a walk around the Süleymaniye.
Reviewed by Lifestylemetro · Details checked October 23, 2026
Vefa Bozacısı FAQs
What is boza?
A thick, slightly sour fermented grain drink, usually topped with chickpeas and mainly drunk in winter.
When did the shop open?
In 1876; it has remained in the founding family since.