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The Winding Stair, Dublin, Co. Dublin

The Winding Stair

4.7
4.7
2425 Reviews
€31 to €50
Irish

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 29 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 12:00–15:00 Dinner Mon, Tue, Sun 17:30–21:00 Wed–Sat 17:30–22:00
  • Phone number
    (01) 872 7320
  • Website
    http://winding-stair.com/
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress

Menu

Add a drop of something delicious from our board of wines by the glass and complimentary still or sparkling water

Lunch Menu

  • 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

                                  Last updated: 25 November 2024

                                  What 2,425 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 Ambience

                                  • Dublin 1

                                    Healthy

                                  • Dublin 1

                                    Neighbourhood 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 in Dublin offers a delightful dining experience with its charming riverside setting and impressive views of the Ha'Penny Bridge. Guests rave about the "unreal food" and "exceptional service," highlighting dishes like the crab starter and smoked haddock. The atmosphere is cozy yet lively, making it a must-visit spot for both locals and travelers.

                                  2,425 Reviews

                                  1. stephanie

                                    New York City

                                    1 review

                                    3.0

                                    1 review

                                    Dined 1 day ago

                                    1. Overall 3
                                    2. Food 3
                                    3. Service 3
                                    4. Ambience 3
                                    It was Nice but too Quick We réel like we had to go

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                                  2. John

                                    London

                                    4 reviews

                                    5.0

                                    4 reviews

                                    Dined 1 day ago

                                    1. Overall 5
                                    2. Food 5
                                    3. Service 5
                                    4. Ambience 5
                                    Excellent friendly service at this very popular restaurant. We asked the waiter for his recommendations and were not disappointed. We enjoyed the haddock main course with a bottle of wine from their extensive selection. Recommended if staying in Dublin.

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                                  3. Jack

                                    New York City

                                    1 review

                                    5.0

                                    1 review

                                    Dined 5 days ago

                                    1. Overall 5
                                    2. Food 5
                                    3. Service 5
                                    4. Ambience 5
                                    Lovely Xmas lunch from start to finish. The potted crab and brown bread was outstanding. We all had striplion steaks for main course and we were all delighted. We hadn't been in for a long time but we will be back soon. Top class.

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                                  4. Griffin

                                    VIP

                                    Chicago

                                    3 reviews

                                    5.0

                                    3 reviews

                                    Dined 6 days ago

                                    1. Overall 5
                                    2. Food 5
                                    3. Service 5
                                    4. Ambience 5
                                    Waiter said people come from far and wide for the smoked haddock . I see why , exceptional dish . The Dingle bay crab with soda bread was also really tasty .

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                                  5. Vincent

                                    VIP

                                    Dublin

                                    2 reviews

                                    4.0

                                    2 reviews

                                    Dined on 21 December 2024

                                    1. Overall 4
                                    2. Food 4
                                    3. Service 4
                                    4. Ambience 5
                                    Lovely meal. Great atmosphere. Tables are small and right on top of each other, but that kind of adds to the ambience. I’ll definitely return

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                                  6. HEATHER

                                    Dublin

                                    2 reviews

                                    3.0

                                    2 reviews

                                    Dined on 21 December 2024

                                    1. Overall 3
                                    2. Food 3
                                    3. Service 2
                                    4. Ambience 3
                                    The service was not great. Our waiter was quite rude, one of our party asked for pepper sauce with her steak and he basically rolled his eyes at her. My guinea fowl was over cooked, the veggies were lukewarm. The food came out almost instantly after ordering so surely everything should have been hot. Restaurant was a bit chilly. Overall disappointed as we were very excited for this meal and it was all of my party’s first time there. I understand that it’s Christmas but to pay €37 for an over cooked yet cold dish is a joke.

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                                  7. Barbara

                                    New York City

                                    10 reviews

                                    4.0

                                    10 reviews

                                    Dined on 20 December 2024

                                    1. Overall 4
                                    2. Food 4
                                    3. Service 4
                                    4. Ambience 5
                                    Lovely restaurant and food was very good. Service was attentive. The only thing we didn’t like was that everything was rushed. It would have been better to have a gap between courses

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                                  8. Kate

                                    Dublin

                                    4 reviews

                                    5.0

                                    4 reviews

                                    Dined on 20 December 2024

                                    1. Overall 5
                                    2. Food 5
                                    3. Service 5
                                    4. Ambience 5
                                    Food was absolutely fabulous, well worth the money. Would have expected a little bit more veg with the mains but other than that everything was amazing. Staff lovely and ambiance is very homely

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                                  9. siobhan

                                    Dublin

                                    1 review

                                    5.0

                                    1 review

                                    Dined on 20 December 2024

                                    1. Overall 5
                                    2. Food 5
                                    3. Service 5
                                    4. Ambience 5
                                    We had a beautiful meal , in the party we had a vegan and 2 vegetarians and everyone was catered for fantastically… We had a great view of the Liffey and Hapenny bridge . The atmosphere was lively and the staff very friendly. Would definitely recommend The Winding Stairs!

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                                  10. Gillian

                                    Dublin

                                    5 reviews

                                    3.0

                                    5 reviews

                                    Dined on 20 December 2024

                                    1. Overall 3
                                    2. Food 3
                                    3. Service 4
                                    4. Ambience 2
                                    The restaurant was very noisy. Tables super close together. Food was good but hugely expensive. €18 for a starter, €9 for a small bowl of soup and over €30 for a main course. We had come for lunch in a bookshop. However the only nod that was two small bookshelves fulled with tatty ‘prop’ books . Fabulous view if you were near/ facing the window. Lovely staff but overall far to expensive for the experience.

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                                  FAQs

                                  The Winding Stair is rated 4.7 stars by 2425 OpenTable diners.

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

                                  Make a booking

                                  2 people
                                  19:00
                                  Booked 29 times today
                                  Google Map for The Winding Stair

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

                                  Additional information

                                  • Area
                                    North City Centre
                                  • Hours of Operation
                                    Lunch Wed–Sun 12:00–15:00 Dinner Mon, Tue, Sun 17:30–21:00 Wed–Sat 17:30–22:00
                                  • 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
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