Frequently Asked Questions at Nectar

Over time, there are a few questions we get asked almost every single day. Rather than answering them one by one at the table, I thought it would be helpful to put them all in one place, here in the Frequently Asked Questions Blog post.

If you’re visiting for the first time, or just curious to understand us a bit better, here’s everything you might want to know.

Is Nectar dog friendly?

Yes, absolutely. We love dogs.

If you bring your dog in, there’s a good chance we’ll ask if we can take a photo and share it on our social channels. Fair warning.

Does Nectar have vegan and vegetarian options?

Yes. In fact, roughly half of our menu is vegan and vegetarian, and the other half focuses on meat and fish.

We’ve built the menu this way deliberately, so everyone at the table has genuine choice rather than an afterthought option.

Do you accommodate allergies?

Yes, we do.

The most common allergies we’re asked about are gluten, nuts and lactose, and we can accommodate those without a problem. In general, we can work around most allergies, so just let the team know when you arrive or when you order.

How many dishes does one person need?

This depends entirely on how hungry you are, how much you usually eat and whether you’re sharing.

As a rough guideline, I usually suggest one to two dishes per person. If you’re sharing across the table, it’s better to think in terms of how many people you are and build from there rather than ordering individually.

Are the platters meant for one person or two?

A very hungry person could eat a full platter on their own.

That said, the best experience in my opinion is to share a platter between two people and add one or two dishes from the Chef’s Selection. It gives you more variety and makes the table feel more social.

Can Nectar be booked for private events?

Yes, it can.

The easiest way to discuss this is to get in touch with us directly. Because the venue has two rooms, we can accommodate a wide range of parties and events. I’m always happy to talk you through the options.

Can you make classic cocktails?

Yes. If we have the ingredients, we’ll make you any classic cocktail you like.

There are very few classics we can’t make, so if you’re in the mood for something familiar, just ask.

Are you a restaurant or a bar?

A bit of both.

In Greece, there’s the idea of the all-day beach bar that serves food and drinks from day through to night. That’s the concept we’re bringing to Edinburgh. So we always say both.

What is the best cocktail on the menu?

There isn’t one.

Every cocktail on the menu is designed to be different and to complement the others. The menu covers a wide range of tastes, from sweet to sour, bitter to complex. The easiest way to find the right one is to talk to one of the team and let us guide you.

Is the food menu divided into starters and mains?

Not really.

All food is prepared and sent out as it’s ready. If you’d like certain dishes, such as dips, to arrive earlier than others, just let us know and we’ll happily adjust the flow for you.

Do I need to order the cocktail pairing with the food?

Absolutely not.

The cocktail pairings are there as a guide, not a rule. I always recommend reading through the cocktail list and ordering something you genuinely think you’ll enjoy. There’s no point forcing a pairing you’re not excited about.

Do you pair food with wine?

Yes, we do.

We didn’t have enough space to list wine pairings on the menu, but they very much exist. Just ask anyone on the team and we’ll happily walk you through the options.

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If there’s something I haven’t covered here, ask us when you’re in. Conversations like these are one of the things I enjoy most about Nectar.