Meze is a selection of small dishes served as appetizers or light bites in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Balkan cuisines. These dishes are designed to be shared and are often enjoyed with drinks or as part of a larger meal. Meze can include a variety of flavours and textures, ranging from hot to cold, spicy to mild, and vegetarian to meat-based options.
Typical meze dishes include:
- Dips: Hummus (chickpea dip), baba ghanoush (eggplant dip), tzatziki (yogurt-cucumber dip)
- Small bites: Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), falafel, kibbeh (meat and bulgur croquettes)
- Cheeses: Feta or halloumi
- Seafood: Grilled octopus, anchovies, or shrimp, lakerda
- Salads: Tabouleh (parsley and bulgur salad), fattoush (bread salad), Greek salad
Meze is enjoyed for its social aspect. Diners can sample and savour various dishes, often served in multiple rounds. Meze is generally accompanied by wine or distilled drinks such as raki, ouzo, mastiha, or tsipouro.
