Planning a birthday dinner at Hayat: what to discuss beforehand

Tell us what sort of celebration you have in mind

A birthday means different things to different people. Some want dinner and conversation with friends; others have a small surprise in mind at the end of the meal. Hayat is Cihangir’s neighbourhood meyhane. Describing your plans around the food and the people sharing the table helps us understand what you are looking for.

Rather than simply writing “birthday” in your first message, add the detail you are thinking about. Does the person celebrating know about the surprise? Would you like something to happen at a particular point during dinner? If you are considering special music, decorations or a separate space, ask about those too. Please do not make arrangements on the assumption that these services are available.

Ask about the arrangements before buying a cake

If you would like to bring a cake, speak to our team before buying it. Check whether outside cakes are accepted, when it can be delivered, whether it can be stored, how it would be served and whether a charge applies. Booking a birthday dinner does not mean these details have also been agreed.

Let us know whether you will bring the cake yourself or someone else will deliver it. Ask specifically about early deliveries or anything requiring special storage. Wait for the team’s confirmation before arranging delivery. If you are bringing candles or other accessories, check whether they can be used at the same time.

If you would prefer to keep the surprise low-key, feel free to say so. Explain whether you are imagining a small moment just for your table or something else. Once you have agreed what is possible with the team, you can divide up the preparations among your friends.

Discuss seating alongside the meal

You may have spotted a table you like in our photographs. Describe where it is in the picture; appearing in a photograph does not mean that table can be reserved for your chosen date. If you have a particular seating need, explain the need itself rather than simply asking for a “nice table”.

Have a look at the current menu together before deciding on the food. If there is a dish someone particularly wants, note its name and ask the team about availability. Leaving food preferences until the end of the birthday preparations can create extra work for the organiser. Share any dietary requirements before ordering, too; a dish’s name does not tell you everything about its ingredients or suitability.

Keep the agreed details together

Use the reservation page to book through TheFork, complete its steps and check the booking status shown there. Discuss the birthday and any special requests directly with our team by telephone or WhatsApp. Requests made through those channels need team confirmation. Check the answers about the cake and seating separately from the booking itself.

In the final message to your group, include the date, time and meeting place, along with only the arrangements that have been agreed. Do not present an unanswered request as confirmed. Let one person handle the cake or surprise so that several people do not make different plans for the same thing. Start with the menu, then visit the reservation page.