Published: April 10, 2026 | Last updated: July 23, 2026 | Written by the Miri Mary team
“Sharing plates” can sound like a fancy way of saying smaller portions. But when the meal is planned properly, it changes much more than the size of the dishes.
Instead of everyone choosing one plate and staying with it, the table orders together. You try more, talk more and build the meal as it goes.
What Indian Sharing Plates Actually Mean
The dishes are placed in the middle of the table and everyone helps themselves. Some are lighter, some richer, and some are there to bring the rest of the meal together.
This suits Indian food naturally. Bread, rice, chutneys, vegetables, lentils and richer dishes are not meant to feel isolated. They make more sense next to each other.
A Good Table Needs Contrast
Ordering five rich dishes may sound generous, but it can make the meal feel heavy very quickly.
A better spread has balance: something fresh, something crisp, something comforting and something that ties the table together, such as bread or rice.
The aim is not to order everything. It is to make every dish feel more interesting because of what sits beside it.
How Many Dishes Should You Order?
There is no fixed answer. It depends on the size of the dishes, how hungry everyone is and whether the table wants a quick lunch or a longer meal.
The easiest approach is to start with a balanced first round and ask the team for guidance. You can always add another dish later.
Why Sharing Works So Well at Lunch
People rarely arrive with the same appetite. One person wants something light, another is ready for a full meal and someone else just wants to taste a little of everything. It is part of what makes a relaxed weekend lunch in De Pijp easy to plan for a mixed group.
A sharing table makes room for all of that. It also works well for friends, couples and group lunches, because nobody has to make one big decision before the food arrives.
What About Different Dietary Preferences?
A mixed table can usually combine vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes without any difficulty.
Allergies are different. Those should always be discussed directly with the restaurant.
If most of the table is plant-based, there is more detail on vegetarian and vegan sharing dishes. The current menu is the best place to start, because the dishes can change.
What Sharing Changes About the Meal
It removes the pressure to choose one perfect dish. It gives the table more to talk about. And it makes the meal feel generous without needing to be formal.
It can still be quick if you keep the order focused. Or it can turn into a longer, slower lunch if the table has the time.
The same dishes carry over into the weekend daytime service, so it is worth seeing how the same menu works at brunch. See how it fits into the wider daytime experience on the Miri Mary lunch page.
FAQ
Are sharing plates always small?
No. The term describes how the dishes are eaten, not necessarily their size.
How many dishes should two people order?
Start with a few contrasting dishes and ask the team for guidance based on the current menu.
Can vegetarians and non-vegetarians share the same meal?
Yes. A mixed table can order different dishes while still sharing the overall meal.
Is this suitable for a quick lunch?
Yes. A smaller order can move at a normal lunch pace.
About this guide
This guide was written by the Miri Mary team and last updated on July 23, 2026. Miri Mary is located at Van der Helstplein 15H in De Pijp, Amsterdam. Menu, opening hours and booking details can change, so it is always worth checking before you visit.
Build a Better Table
Explore the current menu and ask the team to help you put together a balanced sharing meal.
Find us at Van der Helstplein 15H, close to Albert Cuyp Market and Sarphatipark.
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