Coffee shopAla Sofya Art & Coffee
A coffee shop set inside the Hadım Hasan Paşa Madrasa, a 1595 building near Hagia Sophia, with stone walls, a low ceiling, artistic decor and well-made coffee.
The story
Chief Vizier Hadım Hasan Paşa commissioned this madrasa in 1595 as part of a small complex that also held a masjid, a fountain and a sebil. An inscription at the entrance dates from a repair made under Sultan Mahmud II. Today the old building, close to Hagia Sophia on the Sirkeci side of the historic peninsula, houses Ala Sofya Art & Coffee. Inside, stone walls and a low ceiling frame an art-forward interior that feels warm and calm. Service is at the counter, where cappuccino, matcha, tea and a lemon cheesecake are among the things to order. It suits a slow stop between sights: catching up with friends, reading, working on a laptop or simply watching the street outside.
Good to know
TAGGG AI- ✦Try the lemon cheesecake alongside your coffee; cappuccino and matcha are also good choices.
- ✦The ceiling is low, and the decorated stone interior makes a good backdrop for photos.
- ✦Ordering is done at the counter, and the calm room works well for reading or laptop work.
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