Zakuski is an assortment of cold hors d'oeuvres, entrées and snacks in food culture in Slavic-speaking countries. It is served as a course on its own or "intended to follow each shot of vodka or another alcoholic drink". The word literally means 'something to bite after'. It probably originated and was influenced through the fusion of Slavic, Viking-Nordic and Oriental cultures in early Rus' regions like the Novgorod Republic.

Meze is a selection of small dishes served as appetizers in Albanian, Bosnian, Armenian, Levantine, Turkish, Bulgarian, Greek, Iraqi, Egyptian, and Iranian cuisine. It is similar to Spanish tapas and Italian antipasti. A mezze may be served as a part of a multi-course meal or form a meal in itself. In non-Islamic countries, or in areas without alcohol restrictions, mezze are often served with spirits such as arak, rakia, raki, oghi or grappa.