A meze or mezze (Arabic, مَزة, Greek mezé (μεζέ), Turkish meze, ultimately from Persian maze (مزه) "taste, snack" ) in eastern Meiterranean is a selection of appetizers or small dishes taken with alcohol, similar to tapas of Spain or finger food. In Levantine cuisine, these dishes form part of any large-scale meal, but are known as muqabbilat (starters) when not accompanied with alcohol.