The Winding Stair

4.6

2393 Reviews

€31 to €50

Irish

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 30, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 34 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 2,393 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Dublin 1
Best Overall
Dublin 1
Best Food
Dublin 1
Best Service
Dublin 1
Best Ambiance
Dublin 1
Good for business meals
Dublin 1
Innovative
Dublin 1
Healthy
Dublin 1
Neighborhood gem
Dublin 1
Great for fine wines
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 a "unique, quaint, and friendly" dining experience with stunning views of the Ha'Penny Bridge. Renowned for its superb Irish cuisine, the restaurant boasts "flawless food," a "wonderful ambiance," and "attentive service." It's perfect for special occasions or a relaxed meal with a touch of nostalgia.

2,393 Reviews

K
Karyn
Dublin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined today
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It’s many years since my last visit and it didn’t disappoint. Engaging staff, great food and fantastic view.
Is this helpful?
N
Nigel
Dublin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We enjoyed our fabulous dinner in the Winding Stair on a busy and bustling Friday night in Dublin. The location is perfect. The food was faultless and I'm looking forward to returning very soon. It's been a while since we last are here and it has kept up to its high standards. Good food cooked perfectly. The staff are very professional and friendly. The Winding Stair is very high on my list of favourite restaurants, I think it could be my number one very easily! I can highly recommend it but remember to book a table as it's very popular.
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A
Anne-Marie
Dublin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Lovely dinner and as we were going to the theatre they made sure we were served promptly. Had yummy crab to start and the huge park chop. Didn’t have room for dessert. I will be back.
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l
louise
Worcestershire
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic place - great view- delicious food we would definitely recommend it to everyone
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P
Paul
Vancouver
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food. Highly recommended. Busy so get a reservation
Is this helpful?
C
Carles
Dublin
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Nice venue and with good views of the river if close to the window
Is this helpful?
D
Dick
Dublin
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
The Winding Stair is always busy and can be noisy. This was the case on this visit. We were a table of six and it was very hard to have a conversation that included the whole table. The restaurant is a long time favourite and the food and service were up to the usual high standards.
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K
Klaire
Dublin
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 22, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Lovely lunch, staff and food were great but lighting in bathroom was so low it was dangerous. Both I and my elderly mother tripped over a bin in the cubicle because we could barely see. It's an accident waiting to happen
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H
Hugh
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 21, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Attractive venue,,great food, good wine list for wines by the glass and excellent friendly service.
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M
Marieles
New York City
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on November 20, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Nourriture très bien mais l’endroit très bruyant . Les autres clients aucun respect pour les autres.
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FAQs

The Winding Stair is rated 4.6 stars by 2393 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 30, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 34 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 2,393 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