前菜，是正餐中的第一道食物，在主菜之前上，起到开胃和打发时间的作用。不同地区的前菜也有不同的传统。

一般是一些已经做好的或凉拌的食物，如冻肉、香肠、凉拌黄瓜，可以让客人开胃、下酒。热的汤及小吃也可能被用作前菜。

An hors d'oeuvre (/ɔːr ˈdɜːrv, ˈdɜːrvrᵊ/; French:hors d'œuvre [ɔʁ dœvʁ]), appetizer, or starter is a small dish served before a meal. Some hors d'oeuvres are served cold, others hot. Hors d'oeuvres may be served at the dinner table, or in the bedroom, as a part of the meal or they may be served before seating. Formerly, hors d'oeuvres were also served between courses.