Nectar Urban Cantina is a great reminder that we don't always need to chase the hot new restaurant…read morein town. We have excellent local spots right here that deserve all of the love!
I'm always looking for a place to eat in Donelson before my Wednesday bowling league, and this fit exactly what I was craving. Local, Mexican-inspired food, dedicated parking lot, easy to get in & out quickly. The parking lot was quite popping tonight, and I did have to loop through it a couple of times to find a spot even though it is pretty spacious. A place that's been open since 2017 and is still this busy on a Wednesday is a good sign.
This is part coffee shop, part restaurant, so there are two different doors. I inadvertently went through the coffee shop one and they redirected me to the restaurant side, no problem at all. I was able to be seated at a table with no wait. My waitress came right over with water and a menu, and I was clear with her that I had about a half hour before I needed to leave. She quickly took my order, giving me recommendations when I asked for advice and was torn between a couple of different things. The menu is large and reasonably priced with a very wide selection of drinks. This isn't the most authentic Mexican food, but man is it tasty. Lots of fresh ingredients and so much flavor, a real crowd pleaser for dietary restrictions and picky eaters!
I was torn between chips and queso and a burrito, so it was to my benefit that the chicken burrito comes with a side of chips and salsa, and paying a small upcharge to swap in queso meant I got all of the things I was craving in one order. Pinto beans, guacamole, chipotle aioli, and rice all packed in and put on the griddle so you get that nice sear. There's an option to add a cheese skirt to the burrito that I skipped this time but would absolutely come back for. The chips were thin and crispy, the queso hot and delicious, and I couldn't have asked for more at the price. The burrito is $11 on its own and with the chicken and my upcharge I came to about $19 with tax, plus tip. When the waitress brought my food she also brought my check and a box so I could take the other half to go and get everything out of the way. In and out in thirty minutes with food that was hot, fresh, and super delicious. The service here really goes the extra mile.
Easy for a solo diner, easy for a group, and easy to just walk in for a quick meal. My only small gripe is that they may still be too popular for their parking lot, which should be slightly bigger. They've also got an interesting set of coffee and matcha drinks and a brunch menu I'd love to come back for. This is a hidden gem, and I hope locals keep showing up for the great places we already have instead of only chasing whatever just opened!