rest assured that the boza served at vefa is alcohol-free. this is the shop where the grandfather of turkish boza (and great, great, grandfather of today’s owners), hadji sadik, first began production in 1876 and is responsible for the boza that we know and love today. vefa bozacısı quickly became a favorite of the sultans, as well as the aristocrats who populated the area at the time. he trained his son in the practice and vefa has remained a family business. the shop itself remains a nostalgic stop in istanbul with wonderfully tiled floors and mirrored walls and a high counter with a team of men hustling to carry, stir, pour, and dust the cinnamon on a tray of boza filled glasses.
for the full vefa bozacısı experience, stop by the vefa leblebici across the street to pick up some leblebi (roasted chickpeas). when you get your drink, pour in a couple of chickpeas on top and enjoy.