What Is Meze? A Beginner's Guide to Mediterranean Small Plates

Menus at Greek, Turkish and Lebanese restaurants are full of a word you may not know yet: meze. If you have ever wondered what it means, how much to order or where to start, this short guide is for you.

What does "meze" mean?

Meze (also spelled mezze) are small dishes served across the Eastern Mediterranean, from Greece and Turkey to the Levant. The word is usually traced back to a Persian word for "taste" or "snack", and that is a good way to think about it: instead of one big plate per person, you get a spread of small plates for the whole table.

Meze are made for sharing. They are traditionally enjoyed slowly, with good company and something to drink, and a meal built around them can last as long as you like.

Cold meze and hot meze

Most menus split meze into two groups. At Meze Miami you will find both on the menu.

Cold meze: dips, spreads and salads

• Hummus: chickpeas, tahini, garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
• Babaganoush: smoked eggplant with red pepper, garlic, tahini and Greek yogurt.
• Muhammara: roasted red peppers and walnuts with tomato paste and pomegranate molasses.
• Kopoglu: eggplant and peppers with garlic and tomato, topped with tomato sauce and Greek yogurt.
• Tzatziki: strained Greek yogurt with cucumber, dill, mint and garlic.
• Homemade dolmades: grape leaves stuffed with rice, currants and spices.
• Feta cheese & olives: feta with cherry tomatoes, basil and olive oil.
• Cretan Mush-Girit Ezme: Turkish Tulum cheese blended with parsley, basil, olive oil and Mediterranean seasonings.
• Carrot Tzatziki: carrots, yogurt, garlic, olive oil and salt.

Hot meze: from the grill, the pan and the oven

• Cheese saganaki: lightly fried kefalograviera cheese served with lemon.
• Grilled octopus: char-grilled and served with arugula.
• Fried calamari: crispy calamari with tzatziki sauce.
• Spanakopita: phyllo pastry filled with feta cheese and spinach.
• Cigar rolls: phyllo rolls filled with feta cheese and herbs.
• Falafel: ground chickpeas with herbs and celery, served with hummus tahini.
• Crispy zucchini: thinly sliced zucchini, lightly battered and fried until golden, with a creamy garlic yogurt sauce.

How many meze should you order?

A simple rule of thumb: for a starter, plan on one or two small plates per person. For a whole meal made of meze, order two to three per person, plus something from the grill if you are hungry. Mix cold and hot, and pick different flavors: something creamy, something smoky, something crisp.

Not sure where to start? Try a sampler

The Meze Sampler brings hummus, babaganoush, dolmades, tzatziki and shakshuka together on one plate, so it is an easy first order for two or more people. Add a hot meze such as grilled octopus or spanakopita and you have a proper start to the meal.

Frequently asked questions

Are meze a starter or a full meal?

Both. A few meze make a light starter, and a bigger spread of cold and hot plates can be the whole dinner. Many people order meze first and then share a main course.

Are meze vegetarian?

Many cold meze are made from vegetables, legumes and dairy, but recipes vary and some hot meze contain seafood or meat. Tell your server about any dietary needs or allergies when you order.

What do you drink with meze?

Our drinks menu includes still or sparkling water, soft drinks, orange juice, ayran, vegetable juice, Turkish tea, espresso and Turkish coffee. Turkish tea or coffee is a classic way to finish the meal, especially alongside dessert.