Meyhane Picnic

Think of it as a community-powered feast inspired by Turkish meyhane culture — but in picnic form. Everyone brings a meze or meyhane-style dish. We lay it all out on one big shared table. Then we eat, talk, laugh, and repeat.

This is not a market or pop-up — nothing is sold. It’s about generosity, homemade flavours, and eating like you would at a friend’s house.

Meyhane Picnic is a celebration of Turkish food, connection, and the beautiful chaos of a shared table. It honours the spirit of the meyhane — where meze is passed around like stories, where people come together to sing, laugh, cry, and toast life over small plates and big feelings. From mercimek köftesi to fava, dolma to mücver, cacık to haydari — this is a feast made by many hands, and shared with open hearts.

Meyhane Picnic brings strangers, old friends, expats, Londoners, and dreamers together for one afternoon to relive what we all miss — a table where you feel seen, welcomed, and full. It’s a love letter to Turkish culture and the people who carry it across borders, kitchens, and generations.

Meyhane Picnic was born out of a longing for that sense of belonging — a craving not just for food, but for community. Created by GizemCooks, it started with a simple dream.

To sit at a table surrounded by dishes, stories, accents, and laughter — that’s something special.It’s a moment in time where we remember who we are, where we came from, and what we can create together.

To join the picnic, you must bring all 5 items below. No exceptions:

1. ✅ Your digital ticket (1 per group is fine)
2. ✅ A homemade meze or meyhane dish (enough to share - min enough for 8 person )
3. ✅ Serving spoon/fork or tongs
4. ✅ Photo ID (for safety purposes)
5. ✅ A picnic blanket or something comfy to sit on

📌 If you're coming in a group, each person must bring their own dish and serving tool — we are creating a collective feast and everyone's contribution matters!

✅All guests must bring at least one Turkish meze or meyhane-style dish that serves at least 8 people. (If you want to show your skills and bring more food, please do, we love food!)

✅Dishes should be something you love and are proud to share, and must be labelled with the name and any allergens.

🥗This is a shared table event — no dish, no entry, even with a ticket. Make it special, make it yours!

This is a BYOB-friendly event. You’re welcome to bring your own rakı, wine, or non-alcoholic drinks.

⚠️ Please drink responsibly and stay kind, respectful, and considerate to others. Disruptive behaviour won’t be tolerated.

We’re hosting a Best Dish Contest – voted by attendees!

Bring your most delicious meze and let the people decide - winning is eternal glory!

The top 3 dishes will win a special prize sponsored by Yeni Rakı.

Participation is optional, but highly encouraged – show off your skills!

Sunday, August 17

🕒 3:00PM – 6:30PM

📍 Hyde Park, London (exact location + map screenshot coming soon)

☔ Rain plan: If weather isn’t on our side, we’ll move the picnic to Saturday, August 24 – you’ll get an email update by Thursday the 15th.

✅ Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates @gizemcooks @meyhanepicnic @organicbasak

This isn’t about being “authentic” — it’s about sharing food made with love. Your dish doesn’t need to be perfect, just homemade and heartfelt.💚

⚠️Supermarket-grabbed dishes (like tubs of hummus or pre-packed meze) won’t be accepted and may result in refused entry, even with a ticket.⚠️You can use store-bought elements, but your dish must be prepared by hand with care and hygiene.

There will be plenty of food — please bring containers to take some home. Let’s keep waste low and joy high!

Info: Check-in + dish drop-off at the main table

Set up your picnic spot, say hi to new people, take some photos!

Info: We’ll explain how the meze tasting works and introduce the contest.

Info: Enjoy everyone’s dishes, take your time, refill your plate.

Info: more eating, chatting, music, maybe dancing?

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in London, Contests in London.