Historical shop producing the fermented vegan drink boza. Boza is served in individual glasses which you can drink at the tables, or buy a larger amount for take-away. Also sells other products like vinegar and lemon concentrate. 15 minute walk from Laleli-Universite tram stop. Open Mon-Sun 8:00am-12:00am.
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Last update on 28 Jul 2019 by Guest
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Added by SG213 on 18 Sep 2013
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27 Reviews
First Review by SG213
@jainthevegan
Points +331
My highlight of the trip so far! - Edit
This was so good
Read moreI didn't ask, but I wish I got it with the chickpeas as a previous reviewer said. It's self serve and then you pay. I loved it a lot more than was expecting.
I wish they served 500ml take home option also, would have drank more throughout the trip!!!
Well worth the trip
Guest
maria.ines
Points +1431
Cultural experience! Loved it! - Edit
They just serve this “drink” (- its thick and ate with a spoon so id call it more of a pudding). I rly liked it, its tangy and a bit fizzy in the end. My friend rly disliked it and i had hers too so i guess its not for everyone. You can have it with roasted chickpeas on top but i didnt have the courage. Its a very crowded place! Feels like the locals like it
Read moreGuest
Tankii
Points +408
Worth Experiencing - Edit
Both the taste and the atmosphere is worth experiencing it. Not saying anything else, just try it!
Read moreGuest
benjix21
Points +670
Good! - Edit
First time trying Boza and I like it. It was 60 TL when I got one.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-09-22
Guest
Kimmi.gh
Points +107
Boza!! - Edit
Great opportunity to try an authentic Turkish drink! It was 50TL per cup but a decent portion. The taste was almost like yoghurt? Difficult to describe! My husband loved it but for me it was a bit of an acquired taste. Still pleased to have tried.
Read moreGuest
GiovanniToso
Points +201
Vegan Turkish Delice - Edit
Incredible taste is a must try in Istanbul
Read moreGuest
saraeg
Points +65
Worth the trip - Edit
I wasn’t expecting to like boza but found it really nice. Esp with roasted chickpeas on top from across the street. We combined the journey with a trip to see the Roman aqueduct not far away.
Read moreGuest
Walterwide
Points +1959
Must go - Edit
A traditional place with a great Boza, very beautiful and cozy location.
Read moreGuest
·X·
Points +23278
Vefa Bozacisi - Edit
Great local vegan-friendly drink to try! Don’t forget to pop across the street to purchase roasted chickpeas to add to your boza.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-10-05
Guest
Fadila
Points +275
Taste good - Edit
first time having boza and love it
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-09-14
Guest
GeorgeBri
Points +397
Boza - Edit
Never had boza before was good, wether you like it will 100% depend on your view of Boza all they do
Read moreGuest
jorgempribeiro
Points +69
A hidden gem in Istanbul - Edit
Perfect place to relax and enjoy the fabulous boza.
Read moreGuest
aflaneursquest
Points +140
Don't miss these refreshing tasty drinks - Edit
Vegan Bozacisi is a beautiful place, nice to sit there while enjoying bosa and sira. These fermented drinks are very tasty and refreshing. I like bosa the most, tastes as a dessert (mix yoghurt and rice pudding without rice). The sira has red wine flavours. Only 25 TRY for one drink.
Read morePros: Refreshing and tasty drinks, This place has character., Cheap
Guest
Loreto
Points +98
Beautiful and historical place - Edit
Boza drink is fully vegan and delicious. The atmosphere of the place is great, very local.
Read morePros: Cheap and delicious
Guest
emsher
Points +768
Traditional Boza Drink - Edit
Walk in, pick up a cup of Boza, pay, and walk out. We paid 20 lira for one cup, which given the previous reviews, I think we were ripped off a bit! Boza was delicious nonetheless and it’s definitely worth trying if in the area.
Read moreGuest
LeaEnnuyer
Points +40
beautiful shop with beautiful drinks - Edit
my Turkish husband said the boza was delicious, I particularly enjoyed the şıra - a fermented grape juice
Read moreGuest
Rebacke
Points +2546
Excellent breakfast drink - Edit
I came here and was amazed about this traditional fermented local drink. It’s thick a bit sour and sweet, topped with cinnamon. I only saw locals around and you basically grab your drink, pay and go. It was 12 Lira at that time 03-2022 which was less than an 1 Euro, so very affordable. It’s close to the aquaduct but that was under renovations unfortunately 🤣
Read moreTotally recommend going there.
Pros: Traditional beverage, Affordable , Many locals
Guest
MiandJa
Points +188
Two fantastic desserts! - Edit
Tastes like a mix of joghurt and pudding, really tasty. Also try the sweets opposite to the shop, the helva is only for vegetarians because of butter in it but was really really tasty too!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-09-21
Guest
Sushinina
Points +2541
Nice drink - Edit
Has a slight vanilla taste & is not too sweet.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-08-28
Guest
Chad_and_Emily
Points +2462
Wasn’t sure what to expect, but delicious! - Edit
Can’t really add anything but I just wanted to leave a recent review. This place is still here and it is so good! Definitely a locals kind of place. Just walk up, order your drink and walk away.
Read moreGuest
Pips
Points +1630
Vegan boza - Edit
Delicious traditional vegan probiotic drink. Well worth the trip. Come check out the city aqueduct and come here on the way past. Cool historic building. A must!!!!!
Read moreGuest
MajaBizjak
Points +298
Mmmm - Edit
İ was so happy when İ found out Boza is vegan. İt is authentic, delicious and healthy. Actually you can find bottled boza everywhere, but to have a fresh one, with cinnamon on top, served in glass, just go to this place. İt is small and cozy, plus cheap.
Read morep.s.: there are different brands of boza, you can find even cheaper bottled ones, but this brand is the best quality. Also fun fact for history lovers, the place is keeping the glass that Atatürk drank boza from.
Pros: delicious, authentic drink, cheap
Guest
KelseyHudspeth
Points +675
Fav spot in Istanbul - Edit
Seriously, this is amazing! All you need is 10 min to stop in, grab a glass for 3TL, run across the street for some roasted chickpeas, and you're set. It's filling as well!
Read moreGuest
veronicajones
Points +333
!!! - Edit
Worth the trek - boza is delicious, and the place is an institution. Buy a small packet of chickpeas at the place across the street to add to your boza. Yum!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on Monday March 14, 2016
Guest
Basak
Points +79
Winter is comming - Edit
Boza contains bulgur water and sugar. they fermented with yeast(boza)
Read moreIt served with ground cinnamon and roasted chickpea. These tastes suits each other
If you want to drink vegan winter drink without alcohol you can try Boza. and they also sell bottled Boza
Enjoy!
Guest
aradhakr
Points +150
Delicious - Edit
Nothing much to add to the other reviewers, just keeping the reviews fresh. An exquisite drink. Kind of has the consistency of a well blended apple sauce, but slightly more liquid. Definitely worth a visit.
Read moreCost is 3 TKL for a small glass.
Guest
SG213
Points +861
An authentic taste of Istanbul - Edit
Boza is a very interesting fermented drink that could be described as something like a vegan yoghurt. It's usually generally available at winter time, but at the Vefa boza shop you can buy it all year round, when it's not available anywhere else.
Read moreThe "drink" itself is unusual in that you might not enjoy it very much the first time you taste it. I didn't like it the first time I tried it since I wasn't expecting the combination of sweet and acidic flavours, and unusual texture. But now I really enjoy it. The interesting thing is that it gives an amazing energy/well-being boost, especially if you try it after a long day walking around the city. Just see if you can notice it after trying some. It was traditionally only served in winter due to lack of refrigeration at the time, but I think it's almost better as a refreshing drink/food in the summer.
The shop is also a mini tourist destination in itself - it's just a small place but it looks like it hasn't changed that much since the 1876 date when it was established. It's quite unique really.
A glass of boza (with or without cinnamon) is just 3TL, and you can sit in the place and drink it, or you can buy one of the larger containers to take-away (but they will need to be kept in a cool place. You can refrigerate it, but it may become slightly lumpy). You can also buy some sort of spiced Ottoman-style "sherbet" drinks and ice-cream etc., but the boza is the main attraction here.
The opening hours are fantastic - until midnight every day of the week, so you can pop in at 11pm on a Sunday night for your boza hit before going home :)
Note: Vefa also frequently have a stall in the Hippodrome area (with the obelisks) near the Blue Mosque during Ramadan and also other times when there are food stalls set-up for exhibitions etc.
Pros: Amazing nutritious vegan drink, Historically evocative shop, Extensive opening hours
Cons: Limited selection apart from main item, Area very quiet at night
Guest
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