An appetizer, hors d'oeuvre, or starter is a small dish intended to be eaten before the meal in order to stimulate the appetite. Depending on the formality of the meal, they can be served buffet-style, served on trays by waitstaff, or served as a seated course.
Popular appetizers include:
- Antipasto
- Bruschetta
- Canapé
- Caviar
- Charcuterie, usually served with crackers or bread
- Deviled egg
- Various dips and spreads, such as pub cheese, hummus, and spinach dip
- Meze, a general term for small dishes in Middle Eastern and central Asian cuisine
- Pu pu, a Hawaiian-American term for small savory appetizers