The Winding Stair

4.7

2439 Reviews

€31 to €50

Irish

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 19, 2025

9:30 PM

Booked 26 times today

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 piggy Scotch egg with bacon dust mayo€9.00
Veggie Scotch egg with confit garlic mayo€9.00
Recommended with a drop of Artuke 'Pies Negros', Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain, €14.25
Roasted butternut squash soup, Dublin hills goat cheese crouton, pickled red onion€9.00
Recommended with a drop of Badajo, Verdejo, Rueda, Spain €10
The Wooded Pig Irish charcuterie board with house-cured vegetables & breads€20.00
Recommended with a drop of Kaiken Malbec, Argentina, €11
The Winding Stair Fish Plate: Belvelly, Goatsbridge Farm & home-made smoked fish pâté, chive crème fraîche, treacle bread, cornichons & caper berries, good for sharing€25.00
Recommended with a drop of Azevedo, Vinho Verde, Portugal, €11
Potted Dingle Bay crab with pickled cucumber, toasted soda bread & organic leaves€18.00
Recommended with a drop of Macon Villages, White Burgundy, France, €13.75
Macroom Dairies' burrata, roasted Kinsealy onion squash, cranberry, spiced hazelnuts & roasted red onion€18.00
Recommended with a drop of Tokaji Dry, Furmint, Tokaj, Hungary, €13.50
Doyle's hand-smoked haddock, poached in milk with onions and white Cheddar mash€32.00
Recommended with a drop of Idiart Rosé, France, €10
Goatsbridge Farm trout, baby potato, spinach & goats bridge trout roe beurre blanc€29.00
Recommended with a drop of Los Aljibes, Sauvignon Blanc, Spain €9.50
Garryhinch wild mushroom ragu with crispy polenta & parsley pesto€27.00
Recommended with a drop of Lyrarakis, Assertiko, Greece €13
Youngs' 9 oz Black Angus Irish striploin, homemade chips, steamed greens & garlic herb butter€42.00
Recommended with a drop of Willunga 100, Grenache, Mclaren Vale, Australia €14
Pork Chop, cider-braised savoy cabbage, apple ketchup, mash & root veg€30.00
Recommended with a drop of Ca Di Alte, Pinot Nero, Veneto, Italy, €10.25

Snacks & Sides

All €7

Homemade chips with garlic aioli
Legal Eagle homemade crisps with salt & vinegar
Steamed greens or Mixed green leaves
Irish spud buttery mash

What 2,439 people are saying

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
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Dublin
Great for scenic views
Dublin 1
Best Overall
Dublin 1
Best Food
Dublin 1
Best Service
Dublin 1
Best Ambiance
Dublin 1
Healthy
Dublin 1
Neighborhood gem
Dublin 1
Great for fine wines
Dublin 1
Vegetarian-friendly
Dublin 1
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Winding Stair offers a delightful dining experience in Dublin, praised for its "excellent food" and "exceptional service." Diners enjoy the cozy atmosphere, enhanced by views of the River Liffey. Highlights include the "potted Dingle crab" and "smoked haddock," with a notable wine selection. Perfect for a memorable meal.

2,439 Reviews

L
Laura Boennelykke
Dublin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything was very delicious. We shared the burrata which was very nice and well balanced. We then had the pork chop and the vegetarian dish and both were perfect. The portion were a little bit big for us but we got great value for price. We would definitely recommend!
Is this helpful?
C
Clint
VIP
Dallas
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
No frills ambiance with excellent food and service. Definitely worth going back to the next time we’re in Dublin.
Is this helpful?
R
Rose
Yorkshire
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We went for lunch and it was truly incredible. Soup, scotch egg, chips and the crab dish. Every single bite was heavenly. The service was impeccable and the atmosphere delightful. Thoroughly enjoyed it here
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P
Paul
Dublin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Friendly chatty restaurant with a varied menu and excellent staff & chefs
Is this helpful?
m
marie
Wicklow
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We love this place. Anytime we are in town we go here. Lovely food. Lovely staff
Is this helpful?
D
Dr Clifford
Frankfurt
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 7, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
REALLY EXCELLENT FOOD. HIGH ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND INGREDIENTS. LOVELY ATMOSPHERE. GREAT VIEW OVERLOOKING HALFPENNY BRIDGE. HAS BECOME ONE OF MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS. FIVE STARS OUT OF FIVE.
Is this helpful?
J
Josiane
Dublin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was marvellous and really well cooked. The wellcoming by the waiters was very nice and efficient. Please send our thanks
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S
Sofia
Western NC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Food was outstanding. Would recommend the Guinea Fowl, the Sirloin, and the Bread Pudding for dessert.
Is this helpful?
D
Donna
Manchester
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Glad we booked The Winding Stair for our New Years Eve meal before the festivities. Fantastic food and great service.
Is this helpful?
M
Michael
VIP
Dallas
35 reviews
5.0
35 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Highly recommend The Winding Stair! The food, service, and ambiance were exceptional! Wonderful menu!
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FAQs

The Winding Stair is rated 4.7 stars by 2439 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 19, 2025

9:30 PM

Booked 26 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

Additional information

Menu

Lunch Menu

Pigs on the Green piggy Scotch egg with bacon dust mayo€9.00

Veggie Scotch egg with confit garlic mayo€9.00

Roasted butternut squash soup, Dublin hills goat cheese crouton, pickled red onion€9.00

The Wooded Pig Irish charcuterie board with house-cured vegetables & breads€20.00

The Winding Stair Fish Plate: Belvelly, Goatsbridge Farm & home-made smoked fish pâté, chive crème fraîche, treacle bread, cornichons & caper berries, good for sharing€25.00

Potted Dingle Bay crab with pickled cucumber, toasted soda bread & organic leaves€18.00

Macroom Dairies' burrata, roasted Kinsealy onion squash, cranberry, spiced hazelnuts & roasted red onion€18.00

Doyle's hand-smoked haddock, poached in milk with onions and white Cheddar mash€32.00

Goatsbridge Farm trout, baby potato, spinach & goats bridge trout roe beurre blanc€29.00

Garryhinch wild mushroom ragu with crispy polenta & parsley pesto€27.00

Youngs' 9 oz Black Angus Irish striploin, homemade chips, steamed greens & garlic herb butter€42.00

Pork Chop, cider-braised savoy cabbage, apple ketchup, mash & root veg€30.00

Snacks & Sides

Homemade chips with garlic aioli

Legal Eagle homemade crisps with salt & vinegar

Steamed greens or Mixed green leaves

Irish spud buttery mash

What 2,439 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