sofra

Sofra (also transliterated sufra or sufrah) is a term used in Arabic, Turkish and related languages to denote the table where meals are served or the spread of food itself. The word originates from Arabic سفرة and is widely used across the Middle East, North Africa and parts of the Balkans to refer to a dining setting as well as the meal that is shared there.

In many Arab-speaking and Muslim-majority communities, the sofra is a social and ceremonial space for eating together. Dishes are laid out on a cloth spread or a low table, and food is shared among family and guests, emphasizing hospitality and communal participation. Bread often takes a central place, and the arrangement of dishes is valued as part of the dining experience. The practice can accompany rituals, blessings or prayers before meals in some households.

In Turkish culture, sofra denotes both the table and the act of eating, and is linked with table etiquette and family mealtime rituals. The concept also appears in related terms such as sofra duası, a blessing recited before eating. In Persian and Kurdish usage, sufra or sofra similarly refers to a dining spread, sometimes arranged on the floor as a mat or carpet.

In modern usage, sofra appears in literature, media and everyday speech to describe dining culture and hospitality. It is also used as a proper noun in some places and as a brand or restaurant name reflecting traditional dining concepts.