Harden's survey result
Summary
This “small” Stockbridge basement restaurant has become one of the city’s most beloved fine- diners, with chef-patron Paul Gunning (who learnt his trade alongside MPW, amongst others) offering “wonderful and imaginative dishes” that come in “generous portions” to boot. Best of all, for cooking of this pedigree it’s all “great value”, whether you opt for the two- or three-course set lunch, or the five- or seven-course tasting menu at night. In early 2024, the Purslane team re-opened the former Aurora restaurant on Great Junction Street, in Leith, just months after it closed; now rebaptised Dùthchas, it’s another relaxed fine-dining spot that focuses on tasting menus.
Summary
Paul Gunning’s casual Stockbridge fine-diner, set in a “small” but classy basement, combines “friendly staff” and “wonderful food”: either a five- or seven-course tasting menu by night, or the “excellent value” two- or three-course set lunch. (We’ve continued its ratings this year, albeit on relatively limited feedback).
Summary
“Every course is delicious and made with meticulous care” at Paul Gunning’s small venue in a Stockbridge basement. In the evening the choice is between a 5-course and 7-course tasting menu, and it provides “excellent value (especially at lunchtime with the set 2-course and 3-course menus)”.
Summary
The “wonderful food” at chef Paul Gunning’s “very small” basement in Georgian Stockbridge is extremely “good value” – notably a “seven-course tasting menu with a succession of excellent dishes” for £65.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Purslane?
33A St Stephen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5AH
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £29.95 | £34.95 |  |
|
 |
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 75.00 | Always available | 5 |
| Menu2 | 95.00 | Always available | 7 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £0.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
33A St Stephen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5AH
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑7:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑7:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑1:30 pm |
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