Aug 2024

13 Easy Greek Meze Ideas That’ll Whisk You Away On Holiday

13 Easy Greek Meze Ideas That’ll Whisk You Away On Holiday

Recreating the flavours of Greece at home might sound like a tall order. Yet, with the right recipe, your kitchen will transform into an authentic taverna in no time. 

You've landed on the right page if you want to save on flight tickets but don’t want to miss out on ripe olives, lush hummus, and juicy meatballs. In this blog, you’ll find 13 easy Greek meze ideas that’ll impress your guests without requiring professional chef skills. Grab your apron, and let’s get started.

1. Keftedes (Greek Meatballs)

Let’s start the list with a classic. Keftedes are Greek meatballs that every meze platter needs. 

You can pair them with plenty of dips, salads, grains, or whatever your heart desires. Perfect if you want a protein-filled meze option all your guests will love. 

Veggie or plant-based? Swap these for falafel balls!

2. Whipped Feta 

Feta is a staple when it comes to Greek food. So, if you’re looking for easy Greek meze recipes, whipped feta should be at the top of your list. 

At Cafe LoveLife, we pair our whipped feta with fresh dill and lemon for an ultra-fresh finish. If you enjoy heat, you may also want to add a bit of spice.

Trio of drips on a black plate in Cafe Lovelife.

Check out the LoveLife tapas menu to see more of our meze ideas. 

3. Feta Stuffed Roasted Peppers

We know. Another feta meze recipe! But it’s a must if you’re cooking up a Greek feast.

Roasted peppers stuffed with fresh feta are a staple across Greece, but they hail from the country’s culinary capital, Thessaloniki. This one will impress your foodie friends, for sure.

Feta Stuffed Roasted Peppers

The LoveLife chefs put a spin on this classic by stuffing hot chillies with feta.

4. Courgette Patties

Courgette fritters might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to Greek food, but they're the undersung hero that deserves more recognition. 

They're ideal for veggie platters or to balance out a meat plate. Fry with Greek olive oil for the ultimate crispy finish.

5. Dolmades

Dolmades are vine leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and onions. Sometimes, chefs also add Greek yoghurt and lemon, but you don’t have to if you want a lighter or vegan version. 

Likewise, you can also make meat options if you want to add extra flavour. 

It’s not a true meze platter without a few dolmades. So, load up on vine leaves and practise your rolling skills.

6. Lamb Kofta

Kofta is a meatloaf dish found in Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, and throughout the Balkan region. It’s also a must for any Greek evening!

A lamb kofta is the most traditional option. But you can also use pork, chicken, or beef. 

At Cafe LoveLife, we pair our lamb kofta with labneh and pomegranate salsa. What’s labneh? A type of double-strained Greek yoghurt with a distinct savoury taste. Delish!

Waiter holding Lamb Kofte

7. Tzatziki

Dips are a vital part of any Greek meze meal, and tzatziki is one of the main ones. 

This white dip consists of salted yoghurt, cucumbers, garlic, lemon juice, herbs, and olive oil. Pair it with some pita bread for the perfect starter or snack.

With the LoveLife tapas menu, you can enjoy the best Greek dips at once. Our Trio of Dips includes labneh, hummus, and whipped feta. 

Feta cheese and salad with onions, olives, and peppers

8. Hummus

Many associate hummus with the Middle East, yet historians believe this dip has a long history in Greece, too!

Combine your Greek hummus with cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and some lemon to give it an extraordinary flavour. 

Or, you can switch it up completely. We serve smoked tomato hummus with fresh basil and balsamic for a unique Mediterranean-inspired flavour

9. Halloumi Cheese

Okay—halloumi comes from Cyprus, not Greece. However, this salty cheese pairs so well with meze food that it’s worth considering for your home platter. 

Halloumi pairs well with salads, Mediterranean vegetables (tomatoes and peppers), or spiced rice. Before you serve it, fry it in olive oil until it’s golden brown!

10. Feta Saganaki

Feta saganaki is pan fried feta cheese. This is a classic Greek dish you can find at all authentic restaurants. 

Simply pan-fry the feta until it’s crisp and brown. Finish with a spritz of lemon and some salt. Enjoy!

11. Greek Orzo Salad

Orzo is a Mediterranean favourite and one long adopted by Greek cuisine. It’s a type of pasta that looks like rice and works exceptionally well as a cold pasta salad. 

You can be super flexible with Orzo salad ingredients. From tomato and feta to olives and peppers, throw the veggies in and savour the taste.

12. Taramosalata

Another iconic Greek meze or appetiser dish, taramosalata, is a pink dip made from fish roe, lemon juice, olive oil, and soaked bread.

Extra easy to prepare and loved by everyone. You can also buy it at most supermarkets. We’re not judging if you don’t have time!

13. Olives

Lastly, stock up on Greek olives to perfect your Hellenic feast.

The main strains of Greek olives include Kalamata, Conservolia, Megartiki, and Throumba. 

However, any succulent olives from your local shop will do!

Experience Greek Meze in Birmingham at Cafe LoveLife

As you may have noticed throughout the blog, the team at Cafe LoveLife have created their own version of these Greek classics. Our latest tapas menu fuses Mediterranean and Middle Eastern favourites to inspire your tastebuds and take you on a culinary tour without leaving Digbeth. 

Learn more about the tapas menu here.Or book a table now to travel the world via small plates.