For a grand meal, a mezze can include cold and hot traditional Lebanese recipes such as skewered meats, seafood, and traditional dishes such as kibbeh, kafta, labneh, and tabbouleh. It's common for a Lebanese dinner to start late in the afternoon and last for about 2 hours.

A typical Lebanese dinner is a social event that usually begins with Mezze, an array of small hot and cold plates designed for sharing. Common staples include Hummus (chickpea dip), Baba Ghanoush (smoky eggplant dip), and Tabbouleh or Fattoush salads. These are accompanied by warm, fresh pita bread. The main course often features grilled meats known as Mashawi, such as Shish Taouk (marinated chicken skewers) or Kafta (minced lamb or beef with parsley and spices). Seafood is also popular in coastal cities like Beirut and Byblos. For vegetarians, dishes like Falafel, Mujadara (lentils and rice), or stuffed grape leaves (Wara' Enab) are frequent centerpieces. The meal almost always concludes with fresh fruit and Lebanese coffee, often served with traditional sweets like Baklava or Kunafeh. Olive oil, garlic, lemon, and fresh mint are the defining flavors that tie the entire spread together.