- November 21, 2024
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A view of the front sitting area of Soraya. Photo by Alexis Miller
The main lobby of Soraya. Photo by Alexis Miller
A sitting area inside Soraya. Photo by Alexis Miller
Soraya offers baklavas. Photo by Alexis Miller
Soraya also offers Mediterranean protein bowls with homemade tzatziki dressing. Photo by Alexis Miller
Homemade baklava. Photo by Alexis Miller
A rose latte served in a mug from Turkey. Photo by Alexis Miller
The new Soraya Mediterranean Cafe at 156 E. Granada Blvd. brings Turkish culture to Ormond Beach.
“We want to be a little more traditional and closer to our culture through our menu,” said Ayten Hooper, who opened the cafe with Fay Sarshory.
The cafe celebrated its grand opening on June 25, when
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington and Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Debbie Cotton surprised the owners with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"The experience when you walk into the building itself is just a warm, comforting feeling, and you kind of get to experience another world in there, between the coffees and teas they serve and the decor they chose, which I know was their goal going into this," Cotton said.
Sarshory and Hooper specialize in Turkish coffees and pastries, such as baklava and simits.
The cafe offers a collection of jasmine herbal teas as well as soups and salads. Most of the menu is vegan and gluten-free.
"We make everything from scratch, even the salad sauce and our desserts," Hooper said. "We try to make them every day so they’re fresh."
Sarshory has been a real estate broker and owner of Florida Property Experts for the past 20 years, and will continue to run her business in addition to Soraya. Hooper has been in the restaurant business for several years and has owned other restaurants.
Sarshory said she has always looked for coffee shops that are cozy and feel luxurious, in a bright location.
“I’m a world traveler and when I travel, the first thing I check out are the coffee shops, so this has been years of inspiration of my traveling bringing this together,” Sarshory said.
The cafe's dishes and cups come from different countries. The name Soraya, Sarshory said, means "cluster of stars," and was also inspired by Queen Soraya, the second wife of the last shah of Iran. Her photo is displayed in the shop.
“I just wanted to be the new location where people feel comfortable to meet their friends here, have private parties here, or work from here," Sarshory said. "I want a place people would be proud of."
The cafe is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m on Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
It hosts private events such as meetings and wine nights after closing hours.
