Reviews and Comments

What some of our customers had to say about Purslane...

"Michelin Guide’s Point Of View”

A cosy, atmospheric basement restaurant made up of just 9 tables. The young chef-owner creates ambitious modern dishes which mix tried-and-tested flavours with contemporary techniques. Lunch is particularly good value.

Michelin Guide

“Best Edinburgh restaurants according to Trip Advisor”

Small, quaint and reasonably priced, it is the definition of a hidden gem, and due to its size, booking ahead is advised.

Scotsman Food & Drink

“Exceptional food at reasonable prices ”

“Tucked away” in a “cosy” Georgian Stockbridge basement, chef Paul Gunning’s ‘casual fine dining’ venue serves “exceptionally delicious” cuisine “at a fraction of the price of other restaurants serving food of this quality”. “I’m amazed by how good the menu and dishes are for such a small restaurant”.

Hardens

“The best fine-dining restaurants in Edinburgh ”

This Stockbridge restaurant specialises in "casual fine dining", and while the atmosphere and service are relaxed, quality is never in doubt. The menus are arranged under simple ingredient headings which expand into terse but tempting descriptions: crab bonbons with saffron aioli and a crab bisque; fillet of sea bream with a squid, confit pepper and fennel compote; prune and armagnac rice pudding with candied rosemary. Personally, I cannot help but admire a chef who combines beef faggots and foie gras in the same dish, to the detriment of neither.

The Telegraph

“One of the most enjoyable meals of my year! ”

I’ve had several recommendations for the place, and word has clearly already spread because when we arrived at Purslane, on a bog-standard Wednesday evening in March, the place was heaving. The other thing that was unmistakeable was the extent of the makeover the place has undergone since Redwood called it a day: instead of hippy reds and endless cushions, throws and other bits of year-off chic, the decor is now stylish, contemporary and unobtrusively classy.

There was virtually nothing about Purslane that jarred. The service was home-spun but friendly, the wine list represented very good value (including a dessert wine for £2.75), and the place has the sort of low hum of enjoyment that constantly and subconsciously reaffirms your decision to eat there. Best of all, though, was the price. With two courses coming in at £22 and three courses at £26 at all times of the week, Purslane is not one of those luxuries that needs to be reserved for special occasions. For that, we should all be extremely thankful.

Scotland on Sunday

“It is restaurants like this that give Stockbridge
  such a good name...”

Recently opened on St Stephen Street in Stockbridge, Purslane is exactly the kind of restaurant that you want to visit on a chilly winter’s evening as it is cosy, full of atmosphere and sheltered from the elements.

Headed up by Paul Gunning, previously of Balmoral No 1, La Garrigue and Marco Pierre White’s River Room. Gunning’s take on casual fine dining is a great addition to the Edinburgh food scene. The menu is continually changing and uses the freshest Scottish produce. As a reflection of the chef’s experience there is some interesting updates on classic French cooking, for instance, the tuna loin on a bed of borlotti beans is a light-handed take on a traditional Cassoulet.

My dining companion and I opted for the full three courses, it would have been rude not to given that the price of a three course meal on a Saturday night, is a very reasonable £25.95 per person. The menu offers five choices per-course so we opted for the crunchy salt and pepper squid and the sticky honey and soy glazed pork to start. For main, we couldn’t resist the fish dishes so it was tuna loin for my companion and sea bream with plump and juicy mussels for myself. Each dish is well judged and the fish was cooked perfectly and complemented each of the elements on the plate. Picking dessert was a tricky task as they all sounded delightful but we balanced sweet with savoury and opted for the cheese plate and a tremendously satisfying apple and pear crumble with lashings of crème Anglaise.

It is restaurants like this that give Stockbridge such a good name. Purslane is cosy and intimate, the staff are well versed and friendly and the food is well cooked and well priced. With Valentines Day just around the corner, this little spot is an ideal place to take someone special and you certainly won’t be short of options, should you be looking to round out the evening with a tipple, or two.

Informed Edinburgh