Mezze

What is Mezze?

Mezze (also spelled meze or mazza) is the Middle Eastern and Eastern Mediterranean tradition of sharing multiple small dishes at the start of a meal - or as the meal itself. It is not a single dish but a way of eating: plates of dips, salads, grilled vegetables, pickles, flatbread, and small bites arriving together at the centre of the table to be shared, grazed, and combined at each diner's preference. The word itself derives from the Persian maza, meaning taste or snack, and the tradition has roots across the Ottoman Empire, spreading through what are now Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Greece, and beyond. In a full mezze spread, a table can hold dozens of small plates simultaneously, and the meal becomes a social event as much as a culinary one - conversation and grazing intertwined for hours.

At Naan Kabob, the mezze concept is present in our appetizer and sharing plate offerings: multiple small dishes brought to the table that allow groups to share, sample, and combine flavours before - or instead of - the main course. The Afghan tradition of communal eating (the dastarkhan) parallels mezze deeply, making this style of service entirely natural for our food.

 

The Components of a Classic Mezze

A traditional Levantine mezze might include hummus, baba ganoush, labneh, fattoush, tabbouleh, kibbeh, sambousek (fried pastries), olives, raw vegetables, pickles, and warm bread - at minimum. An abundant mezze spread extends to include dozens of cooked dishes: fried cauliflower, grilled halloumi, spiced lamb sausages (makanek), stuffed vine leaves (warak enab), fried eggplant with tahini, and on and on. The principle is abundance and variety: more dishes than can be thoroughly explored in one sitting, with the expectation that the conversation will outlast the appetite.

 

Mezze and Afghan Hospitality

The Afghan concept of lavish hospitality - hosting guests with more food than they could possibly eat as a mark of respect and generosity - is philosophically identical to the mezze tradition. In both, the abundance of the table is a statement: we value your presence, and we will feed you accordingly. The dastarkhan (eating cloth spread on the floor or a low table) set with multiple dishes for guests reflects the same instinct as the Lebanese mezze table. These are parallel expressions of the same deep cultural value across the Islamic and Eastern Mediterranean world.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mezze a starter or a full meal?

Both, depending on the context and quantity. In formal restaurant settings, a mezze selection is typically an appetizer course served before grilled meats or a main course. In informal or very generous settings - particularly in Lebanese and Turkish restaurant culture - a full mezze spread with 15–20 dishes can constitute a complete meal, with no main course required. At Naan Kabob, our shared appetizers can be ordered as a starter to kabob plates or enjoyed as a full sharing meal for groups.

What is the difference between mezze and tapas?

The eating format - multiple small dishes shared at the table - is similar, but the culinary traditions are entirely different. Tapas is a Spanish tradition developed in Andalucía, featuring distinctly Iberian small dishes (jamón, tortilla española, croquetas, patatas bravas). Mezze is Middle Eastern and Eastern Mediterranean, featuring hummus, labneh, tabbouleh, kibbeh, and so on. The social eating format converged independently in both traditions; the food itself shares no heritage or ingredients.

What mezze-style options does Naan Kabob offer?

Our appetizer and sharing plate menu at Naan Kabob includes several dishes that work beautifully in a mezze-style shared spread - mantu, bolanee, yogurt sauces, and our salad selections. Ordering several appetizers to share before a kabob plate is one of the most satisfying ways to experience the full breadth of Afghan flavour at Naan Kabob.

 

 

See also: Sharing Plate,Afghan Wedding Food.

 

Share the Afghan table at Naan Kabob - explore our full appetizer menu →