The Winding Stair

Name: The Winding Stair
Address: 40 Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin, Co. Dublin, Ireland, Republic of, D01 R9Y5
Telephone: (01) 872 7320
Price range: €31 to €50
Rating: 4.6

4.6

1563 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.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jan 28, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 27 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Irish, Seafood, Vegetarian
Hours of operation
Wed 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Lunch Thu–Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Thu–Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:30 pm–9:00 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€8.00
Allergens: Wheat, Eggs, Celery, Mustard, Sulphites. Recommended with a drop of Tschuppen Spatburgunder, Germany, €15
The Wooded Pig Irish Charcuterie Board with House-Cured Vegetables & Breads€18.00
Allergens: Wheat, Eggs, Walnuts, Celery, Mustard. Recommended with a drop of Kaiken Malbec, Argentina, €9
Winding Stair Fish Plate€18.00
Sally Barnes, Goatsbridge and home-made smoked fish and shellfish, with our Dillisk bread & house-pickled cucumbers. Allergens: Wheat, Crustaceans, Fish, Milk, Molluscs. Recommended with a drop of Azevedo, Vinho Verdhe, Portugal, €8.50
Winding Stair Seafood Chowder with Fingal Ferguson Chorizo and Dillisk Treacle Bread€13.00
Allergens: Wheat, Crustaceans, Fish, Milk, Celery, Sulphites, Molluscs. Recommended with a drop of Richter 'Zeppelin', Riesling, Germany, €10.25
Parsnip Fritters, Poached Pear, Green Grape & Chicory Salad with Walnut & Blue Cheese Whip€15.00
Allergens: Wheat, Eggs, Milk, Walnuts. Recommended with a drop of Prosecco, La Jara, Prosecco, Italy, €8
O'doherty's Black Pudding, Ballymakenny Potato & Gubbeen Chorizo Hash with Apple Ketchup on Toast€13.00
Allergens: Wheat, Celery, Mustard, Sulphites. Recommended with a drop of Willunga 100, Grenache, Australia, €11
Doyle's Hand-Smoked Haddock, Poached in Milk with Onions and White Cheddar Mash€27.00
Allergens: Fish, Milk. Recommended with a drop of Idiart Rosé, France, €7.50
Doyles's Line-Caught Cod with Pea Purée, Saffron Spuds, Crab Claw & Lemon Butter€27.00
Allergens: Crustaceans, Fish, Milk. Recommended with a drop of Macon Villages, White Burgundy, France, €13
Boxty Potato Cake with Buttered Garlic Spinach-Stuffed Portobello Mushroom & Cashel Blue Cheese and Hazelnut Crust€23.00
Allergens: Wheat, Milk, Hazelnuts. Recommended with a drop of Tokaj Dry Furmint, Hungary, €9.75

Snacks & Sides

Winding Legal Homemade Chips with Black Garlic Aioli€5.00
Allergen: Eggs
Legal Eagle Homemade Crisps with Bacon Dust & Cheese€5.00
Allergens: Wheat, Milk

What 1,563 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

4.5Food
4.6Service
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
Best Value
Dublin 1
Innovative
Dublin 1
Healthy
Dublin 1
Neighborhood gem
Dublin 1
Most Booked

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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely atmosphere, great food and good service
AB
AoifeB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The service and food were lovely! Would definitely recommend this restaurant to family and friends.
SF
SF56
Melbourne
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall3food2service2ambience5
The location is beautiful, perfect ambience and lovely view and place. Feels like a special place to be in. However, the food is unfortunately quite average and the service was sub par. Cute place but feel like they could maybe add a bit of pizazz to the food.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Birthday, great atmosphere! Excellent food a very nice service!
PK
PaulK
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very nice place to eat, emphasis on fish but a nice selection from there. It was busy on a Friday evening but staff looked after us well. Good location as well.
AT
ArthurT
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 17, 2023
overall4food3service4ambience4
Friendly ambience. Staff were very helpful. Prices were reasonable.
GW
GWorsley
New York Area
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on January 16, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
We had a wonderful last dinner in Dublin. Delicious food that stands out from the ubiquitous pub fare. Great wine list, lovely cocktails, cute and not stuffy environment…would definitely return!
BF
BarryFitz
Dublin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Have to say this restaurant was lovely. We sat at an original table and my partner asked to be moved. No problem at all to them. the starter was lovely. Meat board to share. Mains of Hake for my partner and steak for me. Both delicious. Cheese board to finish off with homemade chutney. Superb taste and flavours. Over all very good and reasonably priced. Definitely be back.
m
mari
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful atmosphere, staff, wine list and hearty good food!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Dublin
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on January 14, 2023
overall2food1service2ambience4
Food was only alright. We got the steak and wasn’t a good cut. Waiter was a little rude. I asked if the had pepper sauce and the waiter said we have whatever is on the menu ha. Won’t go back anyway.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 12, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience4
Food and service was excellent, however the table was tight in space and considering it wasnt busy, they could have given us a larger table and further away from other tables. The waiter kept bumping into my wife while serving the nearby table. I also accidentally hit a lady behind me getting into my chair. I appreciate the next comment is not unique to The Winding Stairs and the floors are old, but the table was wobbly, i needed to stand on one table leg to stop it.
FT
FionaT
Dublin
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on January 11, 2023
overall3food3service5ambience4
It was a pleasant sunny day so the view was spectacular as was the service. My fish plate was over chilled and tasted fridgey, as a result. My companion enjoyed her hake. The cheesecake was stated on the menu to be baked but was not. Which was a pity. It was unremarkable.
f
fullimpression123
Birmingham
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Went for my mum's birthday. She really loved the Hake that we ordered. Everything tasted fresh, lovely ambience and even gave us a seat near the window to look out and see the wonderful bridge. Lovely place
AD
AnnieD
Dublin
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 8, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
Lovely food very nice friendly service. Spent a very pleasant Sunday afternoon with friends No Rushing us out or looking for our table back.
EO
EdweniaO
Dublin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Gorgeous restaurant with friendly and efficient staff! Food was delicious… will definitely be back again!
CD
ConorD
London
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely restaurant overlooking Ha'penny Bridge. Staff are really nice and a great place to go to treat yourself and family and friends
JB
JohnB
New York Area
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful, as always. We shall be returning soon. JB
PD
PaoloDonnini
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful location with a lovely panoramic view of Ha Penny Bridge. High quality food and very professional and very nice staff.
SB
SaraB
New York Area
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on January 4, 2023
overall3food3service5ambience4
Nice restaurant Food is ok but a bit expensive Very nice staff
LL
LucyL
Dublin
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 4, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience5
Great spot in Dublin for food and drinks, river views too!
p
penwallace
Los Angeles
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
An intimate space of wooden tables and chairs up a narrow staircase above The Winding Stair bookshop along the north side of the river Liffey in Dublin. Servings sizes are ample and if you order a Starter before your Entree, there may not be room for Dessert. There is a 2-hour time limit per table. Quiet early in the evening but can get noisy when busy. Attentive table service. Less than 10 minute walk to the Abbey Theatre if you're going to a play. Scotch Egg (non-vegetarian version) highly recommended as Starter.
NK
NatK
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Scotch eggs are just incredible! Small menu but my goodness the food was incredible. Will be back soon!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Such a lovely quiet escape away from the bustle of the city. Beautiful views. Really lovely menu. The cauliflower was delicious. A great surprise was the vinho verde on the menu. Finishing a lovely lunch with a boozy affogato..
KC
KimberlyC
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
Slav was our server. He made some great drink recommendations as well as post-dinner nightlife/local bars. The ambiance was low lit and overlooking the canal. Food was excellent! The steak cooked exactly how I had ordered it. Food proportions were good, not too much or too little. Would definitely go back.
PA
PabloA
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
This restaurant was a really good surprise, the view upon the Liffey was amazing, the food is also on the top, and my friends were delighted with the desert. More over, the service was perfect, even if due to New year's eve there was a bit of delay. Will recommand it !
JG
JonathanG
London
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
A lovely relaxed atmosphere, great location, lovely food and wine.
S
Shahla
Dublin
12 reviews
1.0
12 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall1food1service2ambience1
Disappointing and unmemorable We visited on New Year’s Eve - odd menu, super tasteless and over priced. Staff are welcoming. The setup is cramped. Will never visit and will not recommend.
OE
OwenE
Dublin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Have eaten here at least once a year for the last five years lovely restaurant
RC
RebeccaC
Dubai
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Excellent quality meal, fairly priced and perfect service. Thoroughly enjoyed it all and will definitely visit again when we come back to Dublin!
SG
SimonG
San Diego
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on December 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great meal. Always a nice atmosphere. Very attentive and friendly service.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Really great food and a cool venue. Service was superb.
m
matthewk
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on December 30, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Very happy with our visit. Good food, lovely view over the river and very nice atmosphere.
EC
EimearC
Dublin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Interesting menu. Good vegan options. Friendly service.
SG
SaraG
London
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Friendly service, relaxed atmosphere, food and wine delicious. Portions quite large, so sadly couldn’t fit in a dessert - maybe next time! We always try to eat here when visiting Dublin and we’ve never been disappointed by an evening spent in this delightful place.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Dublin
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very nice atmosphere, attentive staff and delicious meals!
P
Patrick
London
1 review
vip
4.0
1 review
Dined on December 28, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience4
Tremendous!
GT
GeorgiaT
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Impeccable service by knowledgeable and friendly staff. Fresh and seasonal food with cozy and intimate atmosphere. Highly recommended
LH
LisaH
Manchester
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Really lovely place, in a great location overlooking the river. Lovely food and great service.
c
cicada
Chicago
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on December 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
super food great location staff were very professional
MP
MireilleP
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on December 22, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Great atmosphere, food and service, a tad too noisy.

FAQs

The Winding Stair is rated 4.6 stars by 1563 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jan 28, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 27 times today

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

Additional information

Neighborhood
North City Centre
Hours of operation
Wed 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Lunch Thu–Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Thu–Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:30 pm–9:00 pm
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

Main

Pigs on the Green Piggy Scotch Egg with Bacon Dust Mayo€8.00

The Wooded Pig Irish Charcuterie Board with House-Cured Vegetables & Breads€18.00

Winding Stair Fish Plate€18.00

Winding Stair Seafood Chowder with Fingal Ferguson Chorizo and Dillisk Treacle Bread€13.00

Parsnip Fritters, Poached Pear, Green Grape & Chicory Salad with Walnut & Blue Cheese Whip€15.00

O'doherty's Black Pudding, Ballymakenny Potato & Gubbeen Chorizo Hash with Apple Ketchup on Toast€13.00

Doyle's Hand-Smoked Haddock, Poached in Milk with Onions and White Cheddar Mash€27.00

Doyles's Line-Caught Cod with Pea Purée, Saffron Spuds, Crab Claw & Lemon Butter€27.00

Boxty Potato Cake with Buttered Garlic Spinach-Stuffed Portobello Mushroom & Cashel Blue Cheese and Hazelnut Crust€23.00

Snacks & Sides

Winding Legal Homemade Chips with Black Garlic Aioli€5.00

Legal Eagle Homemade Crisps with Bacon Dust & Cheese€5.00

What 1,563 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Sort by

Filters

FAQs

How is The Winding Stair restaurant rated?

Is The Winding Stair currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information