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The Winding Stair, Dublin, Co. Dublin

The Winding Stair

4.7
4.7
2466 Reviews
€31 to €50
Irish

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 38 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for scenic views
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

  • Location
    40 Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin, Co. Dublin D01 R9Y5
  • Phone number
    (01) 872 7320
  • 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
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa

Menu

The Winding Stair's menu was last updated 2025-03-10.

€56 per person

Starters

  • Soup of the day

    • Braised beef cheek bruschetta

      crispy egg, caramelised onion, pickled pearl onion

      • Potted Dingle Bay crab

        with pickled cucumber, toasted soda bread & organic leaves

        • Macroom Dairies' buffalo burrata

          candied beetroot, caramelised walnut & chive vinaigrette

          Mains

          • 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

                      Last updated: March 10, 2025

                      What 2,466 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
                      • 4.3Value

                      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

                        Innovative

                      • Dublin 1

                        Healthy

                      • Dublin 1

                        Neighborhood gem

                      • Dublin 1

                        Great for fine wines

                      • Dublin 1

                        Romantic

                      • Dublin 1

                        Vegetarian-friendly

                      • Dublin 1

                        Most Booked

                      Review summary

                      AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                      The Winding Stair offers an enchanting dining experience with "amazing food," a "great view" over the Liffey, and a "charming" atmosphere. Known for its "excellent service" and "delicious" local dishes, this Dublin gem is perfect for any occasion. Guests rave about the "wonderful" wine list and "attentive" staff.

                      2,467 Reviews

                      1. Rebecca VIP

                        Greater Boston30 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined 1 day ago

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        The food was excellent and the restaurant was a cozy and welcoming atmosphere

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                      2. Nicola

                        Dublin1 review

                        5.0

                        Dined 2 days ago

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Food was amazing, staff were really friendly and helpful. Really great setting and would definitely recommend and hope to go back soon. Great place to eat with quality food.

                        Is this helpful?

                      3. Ian

                        Dublin1 review

                        5.0

                        Dined 3 days ago

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Great warm welcome , food was fantastic , service was excellent. Recommend by a friend and lived up to expectation. Made our stay in Dublin really special .

                        Is this helpful?

                      4. Emma

                        Dublin2 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined 4 days ago

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Thank you for a delicious lunch with a fabulous view.

                        Is this helpful?

                      5. Christine

                        Dublin1 review

                        5.0

                        Dined 6 days ago

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        À very enjoyable meal, service and company (at the neighbouring table!)

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                      6. Margaret

                        Oxford2 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined 7 days ago

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Fresh and quite innovative food with quality ingredients (potted crab starter, roast cauliflower cassoulet with a lovely crunchy texture, and pannacotta and rhubarb dessert), plus great wine pairings. I loved that The Winding Stair made me feel so welcome as a single diner, with a great table overlooking the Liffey and service that was prompt and friendly in the very best low-key way.

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                      7. Teresa

                        London2 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined on March 8, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Lovely restaurant cozy and has a great view of the river.

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                      8. Alec

                        London1 review

                        5.0

                        Dined on March 8, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Exceptionally good food at a very fair price for the quality. Attentive, friendly service and our host provided a bang-on wine pairing. Lovely atmosphere and memorable dining experience!

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                      9. Philip

                        Dublin1 review

                        5.0

                        Dined on March 5, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Booked a table for 5 for an informal business dinner with 2 colleagues visiting from Spain. Everything was excellent. Great table. Great atmosphere. Attentive and friendly staff. Food was amazing - crab starter was delicious and the sole main course was one of the best seafood dishes I’ve had in years. Our guests were delighted with the evening.

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                      10. Robert Scott

                        Philadelphia13 reviews

                        5.0

                        Dined on March 5, 2025

                        1. Overall 5
                        2. Food 5
                        3. Service 5
                        4. Ambience 5
                        Second time in many years. Excellent food and service.

                        Is this helpful?

                      FAQs

                      The Winding Stair is rated 4.7 stars by 2466 OpenTable diners.

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

                      Make a reservation

                      2 people
                      7:00 PM
                      Booked 38 times today
                      Google Map for The Winding Stair

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

                      Additional information

                      • Phone number
                        (01) 872 7320
                      • 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
                      • Dress code
                        Casual Dress
                      • Parking details
                        Public Lot
                      • Payment options
                        Mastercard, Visa
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