An award-winning cocktail bar and restaurant in Edinburgh’s West End is marking its 10th anniversary in the capital this month by announcing its new Michelin-acclaimed head chef.
The Voyage of Buck on William Street has appointed local talent, Nathan Graham, to lead its kitchen team and the next chapter in the development of its restaurant.
Originally from Gorgie, Nathan attended Forrest High School and played for Edinburgh City Football Club youth team, before pursuing his culinary career at some of the city’s leading fine dining restaurants, including Purslane in Stockbridge and more recently, as head chef at Dùthchas in Leith.
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In 2025, Nathan secured a place in the prestigious Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland for Dùthchas. He was also a Craft Guild of Chefs 2025 Graduate Awards semi-finalist.
Led by Nathan, the food menu at The Voyage of Buck will change with the seasons. Everything will be made in house with additions from weekly deliveries of wild ingredients from local forager, Gerard Murphy.
Highlights of Nathan’s new autumn menu at The Voyage of Buck include rarebit made with Scottish cheddar and Guinness; Castle Game venison with chicory, turnip fondants and fig chutney; brown butter; Scottish hake with Madeira and wild mushrooms; as well as salt baked celeriac with shoestring celeriac fries and mustard cream.
Those with a sweet tooth can look forward to house favourite baked custard tart with cinnamon and nutmeg; and sticky toffee pudding with vanilla pod ice cream.
Nathan Graham, new head chef at The Voyage of Buck, said: “I’m really excited to have joined The Voyage of Buck as head chef in its 10th anniversary year. It’s a great opportunity for me to put my own stamp on the restaurant menu, whilst maintaining the quality and style that the venue has become well known for over the last decade.
“My style of cooking is all about big flavours, simplicity and letting the quality of the local and seasonal ingredients speak for themselves.
“We’ve just launched our new autumn menu and my two personal standout dishes are the Scottish venison; as well as the rarebit made with Scottish cheddar and Guinness.”
This multi award-winning concept cocktail bar was once voted the most stylish bar in Scotland at the Scottish Style awards and after 10 years is still going strong. It is centred around fictional William ‘Buck’ Clarence and his many voyages to far away cities.
The drinks list showcases cocktail styles from arguably the golden age of bartending (1900-1935). Drinks are stirred down and strong or long and refreshing and are inspired by key cities on Buck’s travels so you too, can travel the world through drinks and conversation.
The Voyage of Buck has also been a career launch pad for many young people over the years, who have gone on to do great things in the hospitality industry. including Mike McGinty – one of Scotland's leading Whisky ambassadors; and Nicole Sykes, who went on to join the teams at Lyaness and Satan’s Whiskers – London bars both voted among current top 50 cocktail bars in the world.
Colin Church, managing director and co-owner of the Edinburgh-based bar operator and special events company, Big Red Teapot, which runs The Voyage of Buck, said: “Reaching our 10th anniversary is a significant milestone in our journey and a real measure of success for The Voyage of Buck.
“We’ve come a long way over the last decade winning a string of industry awards and making our name as one of the most popular cocktail bars and restaurants in Edinburgh’s West End.
“Appointing Nathan Graham as our new head chef marks a new chapter for the venue and we can’t wait to see what the next 10 years has to bring.”
The Voyage of Buck is also available for exclusive parties and events. Open 7 days a week from 12pm until late, The Voyage of Buck is located at William Street, Edinburgh, just two minutes’ walk from the West End tram stop.