The essential cold mezze
Fresh preparations based on chickpeas, vegetables or herbs, served at the start of the meal: they open the mezze table and are shared with bread.
Essential mezze · Nantes
The essential mezze of the Lebanese table by Le Cèdre
Small plates to share, the freshness of cold mezze and the generosity of hot mezze: mezze are the heart of the Lebanese meal. At Le Cèdre, they are made in house on rue Kervegan since 1988.
What are the essential mezze
Mezze, the heart of the Lebanese meal
Mezze are a set of small plates served at the start of the meal and shared in the middle of the table. In Lebanese cuisine, they often form the heart of the meal: everyone helps themselves, tastes a bit of everything, and the moment stretches on. It is this spirit of sharing that makes mezze an essential moment of the Lebanese table. At Le Cèdre, the first Lebanese restaurant in Nantes, opened on rue Kervegan in 1988, the cold and hot mezze are made in house, in the great tradition of Lebanese cooking.
Talking about essential mezze means evoking those preparations almost always found on a Lebanese table: cold mezze based on vegetables, chickpeas or fresh herbs, and hot mezze, fried or grilled, served golden and steaming. Each has its place in the balance of the meal, and it is their diversity that makes the tasting so convivial. At Le Cèdre, in Nantes, this art of mezze is lived at the table, in small portions to compose as you like.
The families of mezze
The great families of essential mezze
Mezze come in several families depending on whether they are served cold or hot, around vegetables, chickpeas or herbs. Here are the main markers for composing a table of essential mezze.
The hot mezze to share
Fried or grilled, served golden and steaming, hot mezze bring the generous note of the Lebanese table and complete the cold mezze.
The vegetarian mezze
Many mezze rely on vegetables, chickpeas and herbs: they naturally make up a varied and colourful table of vegetarian mezze.
Mezze for your events
Mezze lend themselves particularly well to buffets and sharing; Le Cèdre puts together your events on quotation, in the same spirit of a convivial table.
The cold mezze
The essential cold mezze to discover
Cold mezze traditionally open the Lebanese table. You find preparations based on chickpeas, vegetables and fresh herbs, served at room temperature and accompanied by bread for dipping. Their freshness and lightness make them ideal starters to share: everyone helps themselves from the common dish, tastes, swaps, and composes their meal as they wish.
What makes cold mezze essential is their variety and balance: sweet and tangy flavours, melting or crunchy textures, colours that bring the table to life. At Le Cèdre, in Nantes, the cold mezze are made in house and change with the rhythm of the menu; to discover those of the moment, the best is to check the restaurant's mezze menu.
The hot mezze
The hot mezze, indulgent and generous
After the cold mezze often come the hot mezze, fried or grilled, served golden and steaming. More indulgent, they bring the generous note of the Lebanese meal and are enjoyed as soon as they arrive at the table, while still hot and crisp. Like the cold mezze, they are shared in the middle of the table and invite you to taste a bit of everything. At Le Cèdre, in Nantes, the hot mezze are made in house and complete a table of essential mezze, before the fire-grilled dishes and the syrup desserts.
The art of sharing
Tasting the essential mezze at the table
Mezze are not just a list of dishes: they are a way of eating. You order several plates, place them in the middle, and everyone helps themselves as the conversation flows. The essential mezze are enjoyed this way, with no strict order, alternating cold and hot, mild and spiced. At Le Cèdre, in Nantes, you can pair your mezze with a selection of Lebanese wines and extend the meal with grills and homemade desserts, in this spirit of a shared table that belongs to Lebanese cuisine.
A Mediterranean tradition
Mezze, a Lebanese art of sharing
Mezze belong to the great tradition of shared tables of the eastern Mediterranean, from Lebanon across the whole region. To learn more about their history and their place in Lebanese cuisine discover this heritage of conviviality and sharing.
In Nantes since 1988
Tasting the essential mezze in Nantes
In Nantes, it is at Le Cèdre that you find the spirit of Lebanese mezze. Located at 20 rue Kervegan, on the Île de Nantes, a few steps from the Bouffay district, the restaurant is the first Lebanese restaurant in the city. Since 1988, it has offered a 100% homemade menu: cold and hot mezze, fire-grilled dishes, syrup desserts and a selection of Lebanese wines, in a warm dining room in the heart of Nantes.
You can share our homemade mezze on site, at lunch and dinner, at the start of the meal or as a full meal to compose. Le Cèdre also offers takeaway and delivery within Nantes via Uber Eats and Deliveroo, as well as a catering service on quotation for your weddings, seminars and family meals, with the same homemade cuisine served at the restaurant.
Frequently asked questions
Essential mezze: your questions
What are the essential mezze?
The essential mezze are the small plates almost always found on a Lebanese table, served at the start of the meal and shared in the middle of the table. We distinguish cold mezze and hot mezze, all made in house at Le Cèdre in Nantes.
What is the difference between cold and hot mezze?
Cold mezze are served at room temperature, often based on vegetables, chickpeas or herbs, and open the meal. Hot mezze, fried or grilled, are served golden and steaming and bring a more indulgent note. At Le Cèdre, both are shared at the table.
Are there vegetarian mezze?
Yes. Many mezze rely on vegetables, chickpeas and herbs, which makes them naturally vegetarian options. To discover the mezze offered at Le Cèdre, the best is to check the restaurant's mezze menu.
How are mezze enjoyed?
Mezze are shared: you order several plates, place them in the middle of the table and everyone helps themselves. You alternate cold and hot, with no strict order. At Le Cèdre, in Nantes, they can be paired with a selection of Lebanese wines.
Where can you enjoy Lebanese mezze in Nantes?
At Le Cèdre, 20 rue Kervegan, 44000 Nantes, on the Île de Nantes near the Bouffay district. Opened on rue Kervegan in 1988, it is the first Lebanese restaurant in the city, with a 100% homemade menu. Mezze to enjoy on site, for takeaway or for delivery.
Book
Come and share our essential mezze
Homemade cold and hot mezze, fire-grilled dishes, syrup desserts and Lebanese wines await you at 20 rue Kervegan. Book your table online and come and compose your mezze table at Le Cèdre, in Nantes.
Le Cèdre has kept Lebanese cuisine alive in Nantes since 1988. As the first Lebanese restaurant in the city, located at 20 rue Kervegan on the Île de Nantes, it offers a 100% homemade menu: cold and hot mezze, fire-grilled dishes, syrup desserts and a selection of Lebanese wines. The essential mezze form the heart of the meal, shared in small plates in the great tradition of the Lebanese table. Faithful to the sharing spirit, the house welcomes individuals and families at lunch and dinner and puts together a Lebanese buffet on quotation for weddings, seminars and family meals. On site after booking online, for takeaway or delivery via Uber Eats and Deliveroo: the mezze of Le Cèdre look forward to seeing you in the heart of Nantes.