The Porcupine
48 Charing Cross Road
London WC2 OBS
0207-379-9855
The Porcupine is a traditional English pub conveniently located within a few minutes walk of the Leicester Square tube station. According to a brief historical synopsis in their menu, The Porcupine used to be frequented by highwaymen and robbers. These days, its location attracts the tourist crowd flooding out from Leicester Square and the theatre crowd on their way up to Cambridge Circus, as well as those out for a beer after work.
Very no frills pub, but it serves it purpose- beer and lots of it. The ground floor is unique in that it has more seats outside than in. What few seats there are well positioned by the large windows, ideal for people watching. The chances of finding a seat indoors are better if you venture upstairs, where there's a selection of benches and stools. The best location on a summer evening is a position by one of the open upstairs windows, looking out across Charing Cross Road.
The porcupine serves traditional pub fare such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, and steak pies for reasonable prices. The service is very slow, though, so one is better off sticking to a liquid diet.
