Edinburgh is full of places to eat, especially in areas such as the Royal Mile that draw a heavy tourist trade. And there’s something about that that seems to call for a bit of humor in the signage.
Not that there aren’t a few foreboding signs such as the pub called The World’s End (because it was at the very edge of the city, centuries ago) but there’s a bit of gallows humor, too. Here’s a pub on Grassmarket that draws arguments whether the Last Drop refers to hanging or to a last drink before it.
The Filling Station, below, emphasizes ‘American’ food, while just down the street, Treacle has an expansive view of what falls under the heading of ‘Indian Street Food.’ Perhaps it’s just time for Thai…
Other ‘foreign food’ offerings include the chi-chi French spot here, and the intentionally raucous-looking Australian joint
Taking a vote on the next one…for two days I thought the sign said ‘Pink’ and the color led me on… but it’s really Oink (and it was delicious).
A bit of competition here, vying for the tiny title: The Smallest Pub in Scotland vs The World’s Smallest Whisky Bar. Perhaps they’re competing in different leagues?
Just a block or so apart on the same street… The ‘Ox’ is the favorite bar of Inspector Rebus, the main protagonist in Ian Rankin’s Edinburgh-based police procedural novels.
Not sure why someone thought Victor Hugo was a good name for a deli, and I didn’t have the chance to ask… it’s out of business and the store’s for rent…
A pun on the menu here at the whistle… I mean thistle… stop. Elsewhere in town there’s a chain of souvenir shops that goes by ‘Thistle Do Nicely.’ Under the Stairs is just a great sign… and it’s literal. The restaurant is under the stairs.
And here’s another pun, both verbal and visual. I love it…
And some good advice…
The Elephant House (no explanation) is one of several places around town that claim J.K. Rowling wrote parts of Harry Potter there. The White Hart isn’t one of them… but it’s been there for a bit over 500 years. Another, the Sheep’s Heid, is older as a building by 150 years, but hasn’t always been an operating pub.
And, a last word for those who think the world is going to the dogs, note that bringing your dog to this joint gets you 10% off your own drink!
