04/20/2026
Continuing our El Souq Stories series, meet Elif of .nyc
“I’m Elif, born and raised in Turkey. I’ve been living in the US for the past 6 years.
Living between these two cultures shaped me, but over time I started to miss the slower, more intentional rhythms I grew up with.
Like many people, I was looking for community, and I kept coming back to how connection at home was built through shared, unhurried moments. Istanbru came from that place, using Turkish coffee as a way to bridge Istanbul and New York and create space for people to gather, talk, and be present while the coffee brews
I created this with my late mom in mind. She grew up inIstanbul and is the reason behind the name Istanbru. Some of my strongest memories with her are simple moments spent side by side, talking over coffee. In many ways, this is a continuation of those moments, extended outward to others who are also looking for connection.
It means a lot to be part of a space that is built around community. I found the courage to launch Istanbru because of El Souq. From the beginning, it felt like being surrounded by people who already value care, culture, and gathering. It turns what I do into something shared, where people come not just to buy, but to connect.”
El Souq. Like No Other.
