The Winding Stair

4.7 (2528)

€31 to €50

Irish

40 Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin, Co. Dublin D01 R9Y5

Make a reservation

2 people

May 24, 2025

May 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 28 times today

About this restaurant

Charming
Good for special occasions
Great for fine wines

The Winding Stair Bookshop & Café became a famous Dublin landmark in the 1970s and 1980s. Named after the Yeats poem and in honour of its winding staircase, it is overlooking the river Liffey, with an iconic view of the Ha'penny bridge. As a popular meeting place for writers, musicians and artists, it was a well known hub for debate and creativity with many poems written, novels penned and movies shot within its walls. In 2006, Elaine Murphy brought this much-loved spot back to life as a restaurant, championing seasonal, Irish produce. The bookshop, located on the ground floor, was retained, as were many of the old bookshelves, photos and memories. The room retains its timeless charm with stripped wood tables and floors, and Bentwood café chairs.The view remains as quintessentially Dublin as ever.
The food is good, old-fashioned home cooking, with produce sourced from artisans within the island. Drink sare local and international craft beers & wines from stellar producers.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
€31 to €50
Cuisines
Irish, Seafood, Vegetarian
Hours of operation
Lunch Wed–Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Mon, Tue, Sun 5:30 pm–9:00 pm Wed–Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(01) 872 7320
Website
http://winding-stair.com/
Payment options
Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
40 Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin, Co. Dublin D01 R9Y5
Neighborhood
North City Centre
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Beer, View, Wine

Pigs on the green pork belly
mashed potato, apple & celeriac slaw, grilled spring onion, apple ketchup & cider jus
Doyle’s Irish white sole
burnt butter, capers, parsley, lemon, almonds & baby potato
Youngs 9oz Black Angus striploin
homemade chips, steamed greens & garlic herb butter
- €7 supplement€7.00
Irish potato boxty
Kearney Blue stuffed Portobello mushroom, wilted spinach, hazelnut & parsley pesto

Desserts

Almond chocolate tart
with honeycomb & raspberry sorbet
Panna cotta
with poached rhubarb & oat biscuits
The Winding Stair Bread & Butter pudding
with whiskey sauce

What 2,528 people are saying

The Winding Stair reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Dublin
Great for scenic views
Dublin
Irish
Dublin 1
Best Overall
Dublin 1
Best Food
Dublin 1
Best Service
Dublin 1
Best Ambiance
Dublin 1
Best Value
Dublin 1
Good for business meals
Dublin 1
Healthy
Dublin 1
Neighborhood gem
Dublin 1
Great for fine wines
Dublin 1
Romantic
Dublin 1
Good for special occasions
Dublin 1
Vegetarian-friendly
Dublin 1
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Winding Stair offers "amazing food," "exceptional service," and a "charming atmosphere." With a cozy setting and views of the River Liffey, it features a diverse menu that includes standout seafood and vegetarian options. Despite occasional noise, it's a "must-visit" spot for "delicious Irish cuisine" in Dublin.

2,528 Reviews

M
Melissa
Dublin1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was fantastic and service was impeccable. I was a little nervous as I am a solo traveler and it seemed like a place you would go to with others but it was absolutely fantastic and I never once felt insecure about being there alone.
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I
Ivana
Dublin2 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was very good, the service was great and I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant (calm and cosy).
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A
Astrid
Greater Boston1 review
5.0
Dined on May 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We enjoyed a lovely seafood meal during our stay in Dublin. The fish plate starter presented an assortment of smoked fish that tasted amazing and fresh. For the main course, we enjoyed the sole, one of the best we've had. Definitely worth the climb up the winding stair.
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R
Roger
Edmonton / Northern Alberta5 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great service reat food! Rustic old bookstore. Not elegant but great experience! Our waiter was fabulous! Soup od day Blue cheese Cauliflower was delicious.
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C
Charles
Dublin5 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Probably my favourite restaurant in Dublin. Staff, food and atmosphere always excellent
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M
Mike VIP
New York City22 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Noisy bust place. Good traditional.Irish bases fare prepared well with obvious style and care. Good value though not cheap. Interesting wines and beers but no liquor.
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F
Frits
Dublin1 review
3.0
Dined on May 13, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Very noisy group celebrating something. The Food was fine but the Wauters where very quick to put the next course on the table. Not a very Nice quit domino experience.
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E
Erin
Chicago3 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 11, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was my second time eating here while visiting Dublin. Absolutely delicious food and the service was great.
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j
jenny
Baltimore9 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 10, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Seated immediately with reservations. Window seat with view of Ha’Penny bridge. Great vegetarian options. A few mocktails on the menu for the non drinkers. Delicious bread pudding for dessert
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J
James
Baltimore16 reviews
3.0
Dined on May 10, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 1
The food was good but we were sat a a table in the corner next to the bar -- if I turned right my face was staring at wood bar panel up close. My wife on the other side was sat next to wine glasses on a shelf which she was in danger of knocking off. One of the waiters did in fact knock off about 5 classes and they broke at our feet. Other tables appeared available but when we asked to be moved we were ceremoniously dismissed. I won't be back nor will I recommend
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FAQs

The Winding Stair is rated 4.7 stars by 2528 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Home
Ireland, Republic of
Dublin
Dublin 1
North City Centre

Make a reservation

Booked 28 times today

40 Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin, Co. Dublin D01 R9Y5

Additional information

Neighborhood
North City Centre
Hours of operation
Lunch Wed–Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Mon, Tue, Sun 5:30 pm–9:00 pm Wed–Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm
Price
€31 to €50
Cuisines
Irish, Seafood, Vegetarian
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment options
Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Beer, View, Wine

Website
http://winding-stair.com/
Phone number
(01) 872 7320

The Winding Stair

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Menu

Starters

Soup of the day

Braised beef cheek bruschetta

Potted Dingle Bay crab

Macroom Dairies' buffalo burrata

Mains

Pigs on the green pork belly

Doyle’s Irish white sole

Youngs 9oz Black Angus striploin

Irish potato boxty

Desserts

Almond chocolate tart

Panna cotta

The Winding Stair Bread & Butter pudding

What 2,528 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is The Winding Stair restaurant rated?

Is The Winding Stair currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat