What it tastes like
The olive-oil version is bright, herbal and lightly sweet; meat dolma is warmer, richer and more savoury.
Meze, lunch or dinner · Across Turkey
Dolma
Say it: dol-mah
Vegetables filled with a seasoned mixture. Peppers, courgettes, aubergines and tomatoes may hold an olive-oil rice filling or a warm mixture of rice and minced meat.
How to order it
Ask whether it is zeytinyağlı, cooked with olive oil and usually served cool, or etli, made with meat and served warm. Sarma refers specifically to wrapped leaves.
Good beside it
- Garlicky yoghurt
- Lemon wedges
- Fresh bread
Dietary note
Zeytinyağlı dolma is commonly vegan, but recipes vary. Meat dolma may be served with dairy.