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The Winding Stair dining room - The Winding Stair, Dublin, Co. Dublin

The Winding Stair

4.6
4.6
1982 Reviews
€31 to €50
Irish
Top Tags:
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.

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2 people
7:30 PM
Booked 37 times today

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

What 1,982 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
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • 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

    Good for business meals

  • Dublin 1

    Innovative

  • Dublin 1

    Healthy

  • Dublin 1

    Neighborhood gem

  • Dublin 1

    Great for fine wines

  • Dublin 1

    Vegetarian-friendly

  • Dublin 1

    Most Booked

1,982 Reviews

  1. SorchaM

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Great food in a lovely setting with excellent service

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  2. CiFa

    Dublin

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    Overall5Food3Service5Ambience5
    Went for my 30th with a friend, lovely staff and great space. Had a wonderful time, but did feel my main (cod dish) was under seasoned which was a shame. That said, everything else was delightful and would definitely recommend

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  3. PaulH

    Dublin

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    Overall4Food4Service4Ambience4
    Yet again ... very nice evening. ......................

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    Dublin

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    One of the best meals I've ever had in Dublin. Went for a Christmas party and had 3 courses with sides to share. Everyone enjoyed their meal and the service was efficient, friendly and professional. The scotch egg and the bread and butter pudding are a must! The Argentinian Malbec was also amazing! Will definitely be back, thanks for a great night!

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  5. HelenC

    Dublin

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    Overall4Food4Service4Ambience4
    Lovely restaurant with a lovely view, and good ambiance....

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Gloucestershire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Excellent food beautifully presented and matched wines worked so well definitely plan to return when I'm in Dublin next time!

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Dublin

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Hidden gem of Dublin! At least for us Dutch people :-)

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  8. DanH

    Dublin

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    Overall3Food2Service2Ambience3
    Food was nothing special and a little over priced. Nice ambience and view of the quays.

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  9. CarmelB

    Dublin

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    Overall5Food4Service5Ambience5
    Lovely birthday celebration for my father in law. Table for 4 at the window, front of house staff couldn't have been more helpful and obliging. Five star experience. Scotch egg was divine. Smoked cod dish was a winner also. Apple dessert to finish us off. Sublime! Lovely ambience, super staff.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Wicklow

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    Overall4Food3Service4Ambience4
    We booked for lunch and there is no set lunch menu or specials of the day. The choices were limited and extremely expensive. No I wouldn't recommend for lunch, perhaps for dinner when you're prepared to pay full prices. My expectation is that you have a set menu with 2 or 3 courses for lunchtime eating out. It was disappointing to pay so much for so little food. The staff were friendly with attentive service.

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Went to this little gem for my Birthday meal with friends and it’s a great little restaurant with a varied menu all very well presented and very tasty great polite and attentive staff would recommend to anyone coming to Dublin a bit different but lovely food and a hidden gem in my opinion 👍

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  12. EithneK

    Dublin

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    Overall3Food5Service1Ambience3
    We came here for the food and we weren’t disappointed. All dishes were delicious and were presented well. The service on the other hand left much to be desired. There seems to have been an attitude shift since our last visit here. An unsettling “get them in, get them out” air pervaded the entire evening. On arrival our table was pointed out to us as opposed to us being shown to it. Before we sat down menus were slapped onto the table in what seemed like a prompt to us to be quick about our business. Courses followed one another swiftly and at the end of the evening we were asked (presumably in jest) if we were ready to go home. Our coats were handed to us without eye contact being made and the Maître D’ seemed too busy with other customers to acknowledge us at any point during the evening. A truly disappointing experience, The Winding Stair has lost 2 customers.

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    Dublin

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    Overall2Food1Service2Ambience3
    Terrible food! Service was abrupt, and were eager for us to eat and leave. I suspect it’s a tourist trap. Not too bothered about return business.

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  14. Patricia

    Dublin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Fantastic service, lovely food ! Would def return

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  15. Enbee

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Glorious food, great service - highly recommend a visit

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  16. MichaelD

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    Overall5Food4Service5Ambience5
    A great location, with a view of the River Liffey and the Ha'penny bridge, terrific service, and a delightfully diverse menu, with an impressive wine list.

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  17. eh34

    London

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Cute restaurant above a bookshop overlooking the river. Food is superb, we had a perfect scotch eggs and beautifully cooked mains. Staff are friendly and considerate. Would definitely come again when we’re in Dublin.

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  18. SophiaB

    Dublin

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Delicious food and cosy atmosphere, right in the centre of torn

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  19. SarahL

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    Overall5Food4Service5Ambience5
    Great food from interesting short menu, with some fabulous suggested wine pairings. Not cheap but good for special meal on our last night in the city (on this visit!). Attentive, friendly staff.

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  20. penelopeD

    Dorset

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Fabulous bistro style restaurant by the River Liffey. We were warmly welcomed and the service throughout was excellent. The menu was interesting and the food delicious. My husband enjoyed the sherry menu greatly! Thank you all for a wonderful evening.

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  21. ChristineR

    Greater Boston

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Cozy place with allusions to one of Ireland’s many claims to fame: poetry/literature. Interesting menu, nice hospitality

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  22. GregM

    Dublin

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Lovely restaurant, lovely fresh food and great staff.

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  23. LouiseL

    Dublin

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    Food was excellent, homely and comforting but cooked and presented beautifully. Service was great.

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  24. AbigailW

    Charlotte

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 21, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    The Winding Stair was such a cozy, intimate experience! Nestled in the upper floor of what seems like an old book shop, it was the perfect mix of fantastic food with zero pretentiousness mixed in! Would highly recommend to everyone!

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  25. DeclanC

    Dublin

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    The usual fantastic food ... the Ray was amazing!!

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    Dublin

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    Overall4Food5Service3Ambience5
    The food here is always excellent. We were a group of 8 on Saturday night. We sat on the upper floor- it was mostly groups of 6 to 8 people. I shared the fish platter with my friend - very tasty. I had the pork chop and tasted my friends poached fish. Both delicious and a decent portion. I had an affgato to finish. It's fairly noisy as its all hard surfaces. It's quite dark as they turn the lights down low. We had to use our lights on our mobile to read the menu. Our waiter was efficient. There was no interaction apart from taking the order and answering requests for more water and drinks. He was busy and it was too noisy to chat. Overall I would recommend dining here.

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  27. GaetC

    Dublin

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    The Winding Stairs is a great place to dine in a soft and velvet atmosphere and enjoy awesome food. I highly recommend.

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  28. NessaD

    Sydney

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2023

    Overall4Food3Service5Ambience5
    Great setting, fun vibe and atmosphere, attracts a great mix of patrons.

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  29. MNiC

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2023

    Overall4Food4Service4Ambience4
    I had the Goats cheese tart which came with a side salad. It was made with potatoes so it was like a Spanish tortilla. I expected it to be sufficient to satisfy my hunger given the €27 price tag. I left €30 lighter and still hungry. I feel it should be possible to have a satisfying lunch for €30. Service, ambiance & food are all lovely here…but for me most of the lunch menu options are ‘starter’ sized with main course prices.

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  30. PatT

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    It was Fantastic dinner, with excellent service and yummy desserts.

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  31. angelad

    Dublin

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 9, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    We shared the fish plate, two glasses each of lovely Tempranillo and Duro. Delicious. Lovely brown bread. The staff were great, helpful and informative. A very, very enjoyable evening.

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  32. Elizabethc

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 8, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
    Wish there were more options on the lunch menu. Steak was good.

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  33. ML616

    Dublin

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 7, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
    Good food, nice venue, very friendly and nice staff.

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    Dublin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
    Food and service is just perfect as always. Ambience: We were seated by the windows and the heaters were off, it was uncomfortably cold.

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  35. DianneF

    Tampa

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    Overall4Food4Service4Ambience4
    Lovely restaurant. Menu is simple and food is beautifully prepared. Service is excellent. Visited on a Friday evening and the noise level was quite loud.

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  36. DoubleD

    Washington DC

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    We went twice in a 6 day visit to Dublin! First for dinner when we got in and for lunch just before we left. The food was delicious and creative. Loved the smoked fish platter to start. Also the charcuterie board was amazing. Service was terrific and the restaurant had a really hip vibe. View of the Liffey was a bonus.

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  37. Eleanor

    Dubai

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 1, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    The atmosphere and décor was wonderful. There is a lovely balance of modern style with the traditional features. Great music and ambience. We were seated at a lovely table on the third floor by the window with a gorgeous view. The staff could not have been more attentive, they were present without being overbearing, friendly and helpful, really perfect all around. It was a special occasion and the food and service matched the occasion. A small, high quality menu with each course prepared and presented to a very high standard. One of our party commented that the steak was the best that she had ever had. I had the Harissa roasted mixed courgettes and would highly recommend it.

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  38. DoubleD

    Washington DC

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    A unique building with a beautiful view of the Liffy. Food was fabulous. We started with the smoked fish platter and then one had the steak the other the pork cutlet. All was exceptionally delicious! Service was wonderful- helpful but not overwhelming.

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    So yummy—loved the haddock and strawberry wine and taters

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  40. WilliamL

    Baltimore

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
    A diverse menu built on native Irish ingredients served in a beautiful setting by smart attentive staff…my new favorite place in Dublin.

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FAQs

The Winding Stair is rated 4.6 stars by 1982 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:30 PM
Booked 37 times today
Google Map for The Winding Stair

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
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