Choosing mezes at an ocakbaşı, from cold dips to hot starters
A meal at an ocakbaşı usually starts with mezes and takes its time. Cold mezes come first, then hot starters, and finally the meat from the grill. This order keeps the palate fresh and makes the table easy to enjoy. So how many mezes should you order, and which ones go together?
How many are enough?
For a table of two, three or four cold mezes are usually plenty. For larger groups, one meze per person is a good start. Ordering a few and adding more is better than filling the table and sending half back. Mezes don't need to be finished before the mains; most go well alongside the meat.
Finding a balance
A good selection brings different flavours together. All yoghurt makes the table heavy; all spice tires the palate.
- Cool, yoghurt-based: cacık, haydari, aubergine with yoghurt, köpoğlu. They balance spicy dishes and grilled meat.
- Spicy and sharp: atom, Antep ezme, pepper tarator. They whet the appetite; one or two is enough.
- Light olive-oil dishes: fava, samphire, olive salad, purslane. Fresh notes between richer plates.
- Cheese: Cretan cheese dip, cheese dip, Antep cheese. Soft and salty.
Picking one from each group makes a balanced start for two.
When do hot starters come?
Hot starters bridge the cold mezes and the mains. Order içli köfte, warm wild greens, lahmacun or fried liver as the cold plates start to empty, so the table never feels bare.
Lahmacun and mini lahmacun are filling. If you plan to share several kebabs, share these too.
Moving on to the mains
It's good to keep a few mezes on the table when the meat arrives. Charred peppers, tomatoes and sumac onions come with the plate; add a yoghurt meze and a light salad. Gavurdağı, shepherd's or seasonal salad are popular partners for grilled meat.
Allergies
Many mezes contain dairy, and some contain walnuts or sesame. Dips and tarators often include nuts, and hummus is made with tahini. If you have an allergy, tell your server before ordering. Quzu's QR menu shows allergen information for every dish.
