About Koinonia
At Koinonia, every seat is an invitation. Come hungry, come curious, come as a stranger — leave as part of the community.
More Than A Meal
Koinonia (koy-no-NEE-ah) is an ancient Greek word meaning fellowship, communion, partnership, and sharing in common. It appears throughout the New Testament to describe the deep, active spiritual unity shared among believers — with God, and with one another. It’s a word about connection that goes beneath the surface.
We named our restaurant Koinonia because we believe that the same spirit of fellowship can be found around a shared table — and there’s no better vessel for it than Southern cooking.
Come as a Stranger, Leave as Part of the Community
Our Story
We believe food plays a role in creating community. Walls fall when we share a meal. Strangers become familiar faces. Relationships form in the space between courses and conversation. And more often than not, we walk away from the table believing that the world is a beautiful place — a place we can work together to make even better.
That belief is the foundation of everything we do at Koinonia. Rooted in the warmth and tradition of Southern cooking, our menu is built around dishes meant to be shared — recipes passed down, flavors slow-built, and plates made for passing around the table. We’ve created a communal dining space where people from all walks of life can gather, break bread together, and experience genuine fellowship — often with people they’ve never met before sitting down.
How You Can Experience Koinonia
We know community looks different for everyone, so we’ve built several ways to bring people together around good Southern food. Stop in or take Koinonia to-go.
Tues-Sun | 10:30am-3:00pm
Communal Dining
Our signature experience. Long, shared tables invite guests to sit alongside neighbors and strangers alike, turning a meal into a moment of real connection.
Fast Dining
For guests who are short on time but still want a great meal, our fast dining option delivers the Koinonia experience without the wait.
Delivery
Can’t make it in? We partner with a variety of food delivery services so you can bring a taste of Koinonia into your own home.
CATERING
Bring the spirit of Koinonia — and a taste of the South — to your next event, meeting, or celebration. Our catering team helps create the same sense of fellowship, wherever you’re gathering.
Where Passion Meets Purpose, One Plate at a Time
Meet the Team
Berkley Food Service Group believes that food is more than a product; it is a powerful way to bring people together, create meaningful experiences, and strengthen communities.
That belief is deeply rooted in the history of 1918 Catering, one of the company’s established hospitality brands. Founded by brothers, Jason and Jamal Brown, 1918 began with family, friends, and food gathered around a shared table. What started as backyard gatherings grew into a successful catering company built on family recipes, Southern cooking, hospitality, and service.
Today, Berkley Food Service Group carries that philosophy forward as the parent company and operator of its hospitality concepts, including the opportunity to operate Koinonia.
Our Mission
Koinonia is not simply another restaurant opportunity for Berkley Food Service Group. It represents an opportunity to operate a concept whose core philosophy already aligns with our approach to hospitality.
Berkley Food Service Group brings the organizational structure, operational experience, culinary resources, catering expertise, and hospitality knowledge necessary to support Koinonia’s long-term success.
At the same time, 1918 Catering brings established brand recognition and a proven history of Southern food, hospitality, and community engagement.
Koinonia, however, will remain its own distinctive restaurant identity, allowing the concept to develop its own personality and community following while benefiting from the experience and resources of its parent company.
Southern cooking is at the heart of 1918 Catering’s heritage, from family recipes and smoked meats to traditional Southern hospitality.
Koinonia’s commitment to using Southern food as a vessel for fellowship represents a natural extension of that culinary heritage.
SOUTHERN TRADITION
Berkley Food Service Group believes successful hospitality businesses should contribute to the communities they serve. 1918 Catering has demonstrated this commitment through its history of community engagement, including providing more than 400 free meals to essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Koinonia’s philosophy centers on fellowship and the belief that relationships are created around the shared table. Berkley Food Service Group shares that belief. Through the experience and history of 1918 Catering, we have seen firsthand how food creates opportunities for people to connect.
FELLOWSHIP CONNECTION
Our philosophy is simple: guests should feel welcomed, valued, and cared for. Whether serving a corporate gathering, family celebration, civic event, or neighborhood meal, we believe hospitality extends beyond the plate.
HOSPITALITY
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JOIN US
Whether you’re visiting to learn, reflect, or engage, the 16th Street Education and Visitor Center welcomes you to be part of this ongoing journey. Together, we can ensure that the legacy of the 16th Street Baptist Church continues to inspire and transform lives for generations to come.