What is Mezze?
Mezze (also spelled meze) is the art of sharing small dishes at the table, a tradition found across the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, from Turkey and Greece to Lebanon and beyond. In Turkish dining culture, mezze (zeytinyağlılar, or "olive oil dishes") forms an essential part of any proper meal, particularly when the table also features grilled meats, rakı, or wine.
Unlike Western starters, mezze is not just a run-up to the main course. It is a meal in itself, a slow procession of flavours meant to be enjoyed with good conversation and cold drinks. At Istanbul Restaurant Pattaya, our mezze selection brings together the finest Turkish cold dishes, each prepared with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes.
The Role of Mezze in Turkish Dining Culture
In Turkey, a meal begins with the arrival of mezze at the table. Friends gather, a bottle of rakı is opened, and the dishes arrive one by one, a show of abundance and hospitality. The Turkish word "sofra" (table) carries deep cultural weight; it represents community, generosity, and the joy of feeding those you love. Mezze is the foundation of the sofra.
Traditional meyhanes (Turkish taverns) in Istanbul are famous for their mezze spreads. Waiters bring round after round of cold dishes, and diners pick what they like and leave the rest. This culture of abundance and choice is something we aim to recreate at Istanbul Restaurant Pattaya.
Our Mezze Selection
Hummus (฿160)
Made with chickpeas, tahini (sesame paste) and olive oil, hummus is perhaps the most internationally recognised mezze dish. Our version is silky smooth, generously seasoned, and finished with a drizzle of good olive oil. Scoop it up with warm Turkish bread for the full experience.
Tzatziki (Cacık), ฿150
Creamy yoghurt blended with finely grated cucumber and fresh garlic, finished with a splash of olive oil. Tzatziki is cooling and refreshing, a good counterpoint to spicy dishes and just as good on its own with bread.
Haydari (฿150)
Similar to tzatziki but thicker and heartier, haydari is made with strained yoghurt, garlic, and dill. The dill gives it a distinctly Anatolian character that sets it apart from its Greek cousin. Rich, tangy, and deeply satisfying.
Mütebbel (฿160)
Roasted eggplant blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic. The smokiness from the roasted eggplant gives mütebbel a deep, layered flavour that is hard to resist. A slightly richer alternative to standard eggplant paste.
Eggplant Paste (Patlıcan Ezme), ฿150
Fire-roasted eggplant mashed with olive oil and garlic. The roasting process gives the eggplant a beautiful smokiness that makes this one of the most distinctive flavours on our mezze menu.
Çiğköfte (฿180)
A dish that is unmistakably Turkish: bulgur wheat hand-kneaded with tomato paste, herbs, spices, and olive oil until it turns into a smooth paste. Served fresh with crisp lettuce leaves and lemon, çiğköfte is vegan and hard to stop eating.
Şakşuka (฿140)
Roasted and sautéed eggplant with tomatoes, green peppers, onion, garlic, and olive oil. Served at room temperature, şakşuka is rich, sweet, and slightly tangy, a Turkish take on the Mediterranean vegetable stew.
Spicy Paste (Acılı Ezme), ฿160
A fiery tomato and pepper paste with cucumber, onion, garlic, and fresh herbs, the Turkish answer to salsa. It is hard to stop eating with bread and works well alongside grilled meats. Go easy: it has a real kick.
How to Build the Perfect Mezze Spread
The key to a great mezze spread is variety and balance. Aim for a mix of creamy (hummus, haydari), smoky (eggplant paste, mütebbel), tangy (tzatziki, cacık), and spicy (acılı ezme) dishes. Three to four mezze dishes for two people is a good starting point, with warm Turkish bread for dipping.
A good starter combination: Hummus, Tzatziki, Eggplant Paste, and Çiğköfte. Those four cover the main flavours of Turkish mezze. Add Acılı Ezme if you like heat.
Mezze and Rakı, the Classic Pairing
In Turkey, the classic partner to mezze is rakı, the anise-flavoured spirit known as the "Lion's Milk." A glass of rakı, turned milky white by the addition of water and ice, alongside a table full of mezze is one of the great pleasures of Turkish dining culture. The anise in the rakı complements the olive oil and herbs in the mezze beautifully.
At Istanbul Restaurant Pattaya, we serve Turkish Rakı at ฿300 (single) and ฿500 (double). Wine and cold beer are also popular accompaniments to mezze. For non-alcoholic options, try our Ayran (cold yoghurt drink, ฿80) or fresh lemonade (฿80).
Order Mezze for Your Table
View our full mezze selection or order online via Grab.
Visit Istanbul Restaurant Pattaya
27/25 S Pattaya Rd, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
Open Tuesday to Monday · 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM · Halal Certified