meze
Levantine small plates
Meze is a spread of small dishes served as appetizers or a light meal, common in Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
The dishes typically include dips like hummus and baba ghanoush, olives, cheeses, grilled meats, and vegetables—meant for sharing and nibbling over drinks and conversation: We ordered meze for the table.
Also spelled mezze.
Mashed chickpea spread
- baba ghanoushSmoky eggplant spread with tahini
- tzatzikiYogurt-cucumber sauce from Greece
- dolmaStuffed leaf parcels
- falafelFried spiced legume ball
tabbouleh · spanakopita · kibbeh · labneh · borek · halloumi · saganaki · kofte
Initiator of action
- hors d'oeuvreSmall savory appetizer
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
- tapasSpanish appetizer assortment
- finger foodUtensil-free small bites
snack · nibbles · first course · amuse-bouche · crudité · banchan · dim sum
Generous treatment of guests
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- sharingDividing among others
- convivialityWarm, sociable good cheer
- companionshipState of having company
leisurely · conversation · communal · feast · celebration · taverna · raki · ouzo
Large flat serving dish
- assortmentMixed collection of things
- selectionChosen item or items
- varietyState of being diverse
- arrayOrdered collection or display
small plates · shared plates · sampler · tasting · medley · spread · arrangement · combination
hummus
Mashed chickpea spread
- baba ghanoushSmoky eggplant spread with tahini
- tzatzikiYogurt-cucumber sauce from Greece
- dolmaStuffed leaf parcels
falafel · tabbouleh · spanakopita · kibbeh · labneh · borek · halloumi · saganaki · kofte · grape leaves
starter
Initiator of action
- hors d'oeuvreSmall savory appetizer
- antipastoItalian appetizer course
- tapasSpanish appetizer assortment
finger food · snack · nibbles · first course · amuse-bouche · crudité · banchan · dim sum
hospitality
Generous treatment of guests
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- sharingDividing among others
- convivialityWarm, sociable good cheer
companionship · leisurely · conversation · communal · feast · celebration · taverna · raki · ouzo · aperitif
platter
Large flat serving dish
- assortmentMixed collection of things
- selectionChosen item or items
- varietyState of being diverse
array · small plates · shared plates · sampler · tasting · medley · spread · arrangement · combination · mix
- GreeceAcropolis, Parthenon, Athens, Greek, Hellenic
- ethnic foodssushi, tacos, pad thai, curry, hummus
- food extrasappetizers, dips, spreads, snacks, finger foods
- turkeyIstanbul, Ankara, turkey breast, turkey leg, Anatolia
- Turkish foodbaklava, borek, doner, dolma, kebab
- Turkish loanwordsbaklava, borek, bulgur, caftan, dervish
mezeentrée
Principal dinner course
main course · main dish · main · full portion · plated dinner
mezeplated dinner
Pre-arranged individual portions
fast food · TV dinner · grab-and-go · solo dining · quick meal
- mezze platterShared appetizer assortment