Stories from Nectar Bar Edinburgh

One of the most common questions we hear at the bar is simple enough: “What’s the best cocktail on the menu?” The honest answer is that there isn’t one. Every cocktail on our menu is designed to stand on its own. No drink is meant to compete with another, and none is intended to be better than the rest. Each cocktail is an individual contribution to the menu, created to express a specific taste, mood, or idea. The real question is not which cocktail is best, but which one is

When a table is filled with shared plates, choosing the right wine can feel more complicated than it needs to be. At Nectar, food is designed to be ordered generously and enjoyed together. That means your table will often feature vegetables, meat, fish and cheese all at once. Rather than trying to find a wine that perfectly matches everything, we recommend a simpler and far more enjoyable approach. Start by deciding which dish you want to be the focus , and let that lead your

Edinburgh has no shortage of cocktail bars. Some focus on theatre, some on classics, some on atmosphere. Over the years, working behind bars and visiting many more, I’ve started to notice that the places people remember are rarely defined by one thing alone. When people ask me what makes a great cocktail bar, the answer is never just about the drinks. It’s about how everything comes together. The room, the menu, the service, and the feeling you walk away with at the end of th

At Nectar, food is meant to be shared. Our menu is designed to encourage conversation, variety and enjoyment around the table, rather than following the traditional structure of starters and mains. If this is your first visit, here is the easiest way to approach ordering and make the most of the experience. A Menu Built for Everyone at the Table One of the first things you will notice is how the menu is laid out. On the left-hand side , you will find vegan and vegetarian dish

At Nectar , our wine list follows the same philosophy as our food and cocktails. Every wine has a purpose. Rather than offering multiple bottles that compete with one another, our list is designed so that each wine stands on its own , pairing naturally with different styles of food. These pairings are not always written on the menu, but they are carefully considered when the list is built. The result is a wine selection that encourages exploration and conversation, whether yo

Frequently asked questions about Nectar in Edinburgh, covering dogs, vegan options, sharing plates, cocktails, wine pairings, bookings and what to expect.

Like many stories that began during COVID, ours started in close quarters. During lockdown, everyone who now works at Nectar found themselves living together in the same flat. With time on our hands and the world temporarily paused, conversations naturally turned inward. Like so many others, we began asking ourselves what we wanted to do differently with our lives. With a strong family history in hospitality, opening our own place was not a far-fetched idea. In many ways, it

Greek food is often simplified to a single image. For many, the first thing that comes to mind is a gyros. A wrap filled with meat, fries, and tzatziki, eaten quickly as street food. It is satisfying and familiar, but it represents only a small part of what Greek food truly is. Anyone who has spent time in Greece knows this. Greek cuisine is built on freshness, vegetables, seafood, and a wide range of meats. It varies from island to island and from village to village. The sam

At Nectar , cocktails are approached with the same care and intention as food in a serious kitchen. As we take our first steps toward becoming an award-winning cocktail bar in Edinburgh , our focus is simple but demanding:to go beyond mixing ingredients and instead alter spirits, textures, and flavours through technique . Our drinks menu is not built around shortcuts. It is built around preparation, experimentation, and precision. This often happens long before a guest ever s

Nectar has been open on Broughton Street for 6 months now, offering specialised cocktails and greek food.