Meze is an abbreviation for Mezedes and in Cyprus it is oftentimes, different to typical appetizers, a meal in its own. You have just to decide between vegetable, meat or fish meze.

Meze, what means 'little delicacies', can consist out of up to 30 different small plates with dips, vegetables and a wide range of fish or meat. It is served in groups of 4 or 5 plates at a time and usually 5 to 10 different groups arrive at the table.

Although in different tavernas, different dishes are served, there is a kind of pattern in it. Olives, taramosalata, hummus and yoghurt are followed by vegetables like eggplants or zucchini. Afterwards small meat or fish dishes are served before whole fish or grills arrive at the table.

As the pattern remains the same, the dishes served depend on the speciality of the taverna as well as the season.

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