A brand new café spot has opened on Ecclesall Road, blending a classic brunch menu with subtle influences from the owners’ native Turkey, and of course – great coffee.
Crave, located on the stretch of units between restaurants Zaap Thai and Koko, is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Ilayda and Berke Aliyazıcıoğlu, who have brought their passion for food, family, and good coffee to one of the city’s busiest streets.
“We’ve tried to create a cosy vibe, as you can see, with the colours and the design,” Ilayda explains. “A Turkish designer created it, and we wanted it to be an open space where people can spend time comfortably with their friends and loved ones.”
Crave’s menu is a mix of crowd-pleasers and chef specials. “We first wanted to make a coffee shop, but that changed when we hired our chef,” Ilayda says. “We put some classic dishes on the menu, so that when people come here, they can find whatever they want.”
Expect brunch staples like eggs Benedict, full English and veggie breakfasts, wraps, croissants and pastries. There’s also a daily soup special that changes depending on the chef’s inspiration.
But Crave’s Turkish roots subtly shine through. “Not everybody likes Turkish food,” Ilayda admits. “That’s why we want to make it simple. But from time to time, we will change the specials, as we want people to taste the best Turkish food.”
This includes a traditional egg dish, called Sujuk, and traditional Turkish salads that can be eaten all day. “We are planning to add some Turkish pastries too, and everything is going to be homemade.”
A self-proclaimed coffee addict, Ilayda takes her beans seriously. “Our coffee is really good, from an Italian brand called Julius Meinl,” she says. “I think it’s really nice.”
As if on cue, a customer passing by interrupts the conversation. “The coffee is amazing,” they say on their way out, reinforcing the growing reputation Crave is earning among locals. Ilayda smiles, clearly pleased.
The couple’s path to running a café in Sheffield has been anything but conventional. Originally from Istanbul, Ilayda and Berke moved to the UK two and a half years ago, looking for a better balance between work and family life. “My husband worked on the stock market, as well as some consultancy work, back home in Turkey,” she says. “And I was an export manager. It is totally different, yeah.”
With two young children, the demands of their previous careers weren’t sustainable. “My job required lots of travel in Europe and Turkey – sometimes for two weeks or a month. And with kids and family life, we thought that it wasn’t suitable for us.”
They first tested the waters in Sheffield’s café scene by running a small coffee shop in Nether Edge but soon realised they wanted something bigger. “We want to serve more people and a bigger variety of people, so Ecclesall Road felt like the right choice.”
Crave is more than just a business for Ilayda and Berke – it’s a way to connect with their new home. “The first reason that we opened the café was because we don’t know anyone in Sheffield. We thought that it would be a good opportunity to meet new people and to get to know this community,” Ilayda says.
So far, the response has been positive. “People really like the atmosphere, and they especially love the coffee,” she says. “We have lots of five-star reviews and comments, and the aim is to be as consistent as possible so people know what they are getting from us.”
The space itself is warm and inviting, with a striking horse design feature that’s already caught the attention of Instagrammers. “When we decided on this print with the horse, the designer said, if you’re going to put this up, then we need to carry on the theme.
“Now, customers take photos of it and put it on Instagram, saying this café has a massive, weird horse, but the coffee is great!” laughs Ilayda. “Honestly, when we wanted to open this place, I said I want a colourful, warm space because I think the weather is grey enough.”
The couple has big plans for Crave, including adding an alcohol licence and extending opening hours into the evening. “In three months, we are planning to get an alcohol licence,” Ilayda says. “We are also planning to extend the working hours to maybe 8 or 9pm so people can have drinks here too, like maybe wine and cheese evenings.”
For now, the focus is on consistency and quality. “We want to keep the standard. When people come, they know what they will get – same food, same great service.”
So, whether you’re craving a classic brunch, a taste of Turkey, or just a good coffee, Crave is ready to welcome you in.
Find out more by heading to their Insta here. Crave is now open on Ecclesall Road – go and satisfy yours.
