The journal

Understanding Lebanese food

What to know before you sit down: what mezze actually is, how a Lebanese meal unfolds, and why zaatar opens every morning in Lebanon.

2 September 2026

What exactly is mezze?

It is not a starter. It is a way of building a meal — and of sharing it.

2 September 2026

A Lebanese meal follows a precise order. Knowing it changes the whole experience.

2 September 2026

One word for two things: a mountain herb, and the blend made from it.

Theory is fine. The rest is tasted on Quai Romain Rolland.