Meyhane for Groups and Celebrations in Kadıköy: Planning a Big Table
A birthday, a team dinner, a reunion of old friends: for a big group in Istanbul, a meyhane, the traditional tavern built around shared meze (small plates) and rakı (an aniseed spirit), is still the natural choice. In Kadıköy, that table can be set across from Moda Pier at Koço, a century-old meyhane serving since 1928.
Short answer: Book ahead by phone with your group size, date, time and preferred area: the indoor dining room, the garden or the terrace. Koço seats more than 500 people across the three, and the garden and terrace are open all year. Address: Moda Caddesi No:171, Kadıköy, Istanbul; reservations on +90 216 336 07 95; open daily 12:00–00:00.
Why a meyhane works for a group dinner
A meyhane table is built for sharing: meze arrive in the middle, everyone eats from the same plates and the meal unfolds slowly over hours. That rhythm suits a large group, which eats as one table rather than as fifteen separate diners.
Koço has no live music or fasıl (the sung tavern repertoire), and for a group that matters. In a loud venue, a table of fifteen splits into separate conversations; in a quiet room, a story told at one end reaches the other. Our guide to quiet, music-free meyhanes explains the appeal.
For the wider district, start with the Kadıköy meyhane guide.
Booking a big table: when to call and what to say
Reservations at Koço are taken by phone on +90 216 336 07 95. Have these details ready:
• Group size: an estimate is fine; confirm the final number the day before.
• Date and time: Koço is open daily 12:00–00:00, so a long lunch works too.
• Seating: indoor dining room, garden or terrace.
• The occasion, and any surprise you are planning.
For weekend evenings and busy celebration periods, call early. If the headcount changes, let the restaurant know so the table can be adjusted.
Kadıköy pier is a practical meeting point: about 20 minutes by ferry from Eminönü or Karaköy (Marmaray is an alternative), then a 15-minute walk or the T3 Moda tram to Moda.
Indoor room, garden or terrace: choosing the right space
Koço's indoor dining room, garden and terrace together seat more than 500 people, so there is room for a large group to sit together; discuss the layout when you book.
The terrace
Views of the Sea of Marmara, the Princes' Islands and Fenerbahçe, with Moda Pier across the way. A natural choice for a sunset celebration, so call early.
The garden
Under the trees, sheltered and open all year; good for long evenings and easier for groups with children.
The indoor dining room
Wooden details and walls that carry the memory of a century-old meyhane, for groups that prefer a cosier, enclosed setting.
Ordering for a crowd: cold meze, hot starters, fish
Let one person collect everyone's choices and order in waves, following the classic sequence: cold meze first, then hot starters, then the fish of the season, with dessert last.
• Cold meze: a few classics are enough, such as lakerda (cured bonito), fava (broad-bean purée), haydari (strained yoghurt with herbs) and atom (strained yoghurt with fried dried chillies). On a long table, ask for a plate of each favourite at both ends rather than adding more varieties.
• Hot starters: kalamar tava (fried calamari), karides güveç (prawns baked in a clay dish) and grilled octopus share well.
• Fish: ask the waiter what is on the counter that day and have the fish of the season grilled, fried or steamed for the middle of the table.
• Rakı: for any first-timers, rakı is poured first, with cold water on top; ice comes separately and goes in last, if at all. The usual ratio is one part rakı to two parts water, adjusted to taste. Wine, beer and soft drinks are also served.
• Dessert: soufflé and seasonal fruit.
The current menu is on Finedine; for dish-by-dish suggestions, see what to order at Koço.
Celebration details: cake, surprises and toasts
Planning a birthday or anniversary surprise? Say so when you book, and agree in advance when the cake should appear and who at the table gives the signal.
In a room without music, a short toast reaches the whole table; nobody has to shout to say şerefe (cheers).
For celebrations with children, the garden is more comfortable; see our family meyhane guide. Agree beforehand whether one person pays or the bill is split.
For a checklist of what makes a meyhane evening work, the six criteria in our guide to choosing the best meyhane in Istanbul apply to a big table too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a meyhane in Kadıköy for a large group?
At Koço, book by phone on +90 216 336 07 95, giving the group size, date, time, preferred area and any celebration.
How many people can Koço seat?
Koço's indoor dining room, garden and terrace together seat more than 500 people. For a large group, call early and discuss the layout when you book.
Can you celebrate a birthday at a meyhane in Istanbul?
Yes. At Koço, mention the celebration and any surprise, such as a cake, when you book; with no live music, toasts carry easily across the table.
How should a large group order at a meyhane?
Let one person collect the order and follow the classic sequence: shared cold meze, then hot starters, then the fish of the season, then dessert.
Are Koço's garden and terrace open in winter?
Yes. Koço's garden and terrace are open all year; just state your preferred area when you book.
A well-planned big table is the meyhane at its best: the table grows longer, the meze keep coming and the conversation runs late. For an evening like that across from Moda Pier, start with a phone call: +90 216 336 07 95.
Address: Moda Caddesi No:171, Kadıköy, Istanbul (across from Moda Pier) · Reservations: +90 216 336 07 95 · Open every day 12:00–00:00
Comments