Food in Edinburgh

There are dishes on a menu that you eat and enjoy. And then there are dishes that you find yourself thinking about on the way home, that come to mind when the weather turns cold and grey, that you order first on a return visit without looking at anything else. Prawn Saganaki is the second kind. It has quietly become one of the most talked-about dishes at Nectar, and the more time passes, the more I understand why. What Saganaki Actually Means The word saganaki does not refer

Sharing plates have become one of the most common formats in modern restaurant dining, and yet they still manage to confuse people more than almost any other way of eating out. The questions are always the same. How many dishes do we need? Do they all arrive at once? What if one person wants something the other does not? Is this going to be enough food? Should I be building a starter, a main and a dessert in my head, or is this something else entirely? These are completely re

Greek food has a reputation problem in the UK that it does not entirely deserve. For a lot of people, the reference points are the same. A chicken gyros from a late-night takeaway, a bowl of hummus on a supermarket shelf, maybe a taverna meal from a holiday in Crete fifteen years ago. None of those things are bad. But none of them are the full picture either. Authentic Greek cooking is one of the most underrepresented cuisines in British cities, considering how rich and varie

Edinburgh is one of those cities that almost does the work for you when it comes to romance. The cobblestones, the candlelit closes, the way the castle catches the last of the light on a clear evening. Even a quiet Tuesday can feel like a special occasion if you end up in the right place. I have spent the last eight months running Nectar on Broughton Street, and before that several years eating and drinking my way through this city with genuine curiosity. I know what makes an

Filo pastry appears everywhere in Greek cuisine. It is used for pies, desserts and savoury dishes alike, layered thinly to create that unmistakable light, crisp texture when baked or fried. It is one of those ingredients that defines the kitchen without ever trying to steal the spotlight. Our cheese filo pastry takes that familiar base and turns it into something indulgent yet surprisingly delicate. From Sharp to Creamy Inside the pastry is feta cheese , a staple of Greek coo

Chicken skewers, or souvlaki, are one of the most traditional dishes in Greek cuisine. You will find them everywhere in Greece, often served simply with tzatziki, pitta bread and sometimes a few slices of tomato. It is even considered a lighter, healthier alternative to the classic gyros, especially when served without fries. At Nectar, we wanted to take that familiar dish and elevate it. Not by changing what it is, but by refining how it tastes, looks and feels on the plate.

One of the biggest misconceptions I come across is that Greek food is simple because it’s easy. The truth is almost the opposite. Greek food is simple because it relies on freshness more than anything else. When people think about Mediterranean cooking, they often imagine heavy dishes or big flavours layered on top of each other. What I’ve always loved about Greek food is how restrained it can be. The ingredients are allowed to speak before anything else. That philosophy sits

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

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

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

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