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Interior - The Winding Stair, Dublin, Co. Dublin

The Winding Stair

4.7 (3063)
€31 to €50
Irish
40 Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin, Co. Dublin D01 R9Y5

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A photo of The Winding Stair restaurant

The Winding Stair

4.7
€31 to €50
Irish
North City Centre

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 43 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

  • 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

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Menu

This menu from The Winding Stair was last updated on 9/22/2026.

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

Lunch

  • Pigs on the Green piggy Scotch egg with bacon dust mayo€11.00

    • Veggie Scotch egg with confit garlic mayo€9.00

      • Recommended with a drop of Cava, Macabeo, Spain €13.00

    • Braised beef cheek, Garryhinch wild mushroom, brioche & crispy egg€17.00

      • Recommended with a drop of Azevedo, Vinho Verde, Portugal, €12.00

    • Ispíní Irish charcuterie board with house-cured vegetables & breads€20.00

      • Recommended with a drop of Dom de Nugues Gamay, Beaujolais, France, €14.50

    • The Winding Stair Fish Plate: Burren Smokehouse, Goatsbridge Farm & home-made smoked fish paté, pickled herring, chive crème fraîche, treacle bread, cornichons & caper berries, good for sharing€25.00

      • Recommended with a drop of Lyrarakis, Assertico, Crete, Greece €13.00

    • Potted Dingle Bay crab with pickled cucumber, toasted soda bread & organic leaves€18.00

      • Recommended with a drop of Macon Villages, White Burgundy, France, €14.75

    • Roasted cauliflower & Hegartys cheddar croquettes, black garlic aioli€17.00

      • Recommended with a drop of 16 Stops, Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia €12.00

    • Doyle’s hand-smoked haddock, poached in milk with onions and white Cheddar mash€32.00

      • Recommended with a drop of Macon Villages, White Burgundy, France, €14.75

    • Irish Water’s Cod, baby saffron potato, broccolini, mussels, fennel & saffron sauce€30.00

      • Recommended with a drop of Peth-Wetz, Riesling, Germany,€12.50

    • Dublin Boxty, roasted portabello mushroom, spinach, Kearney Blue cheese, walnut pesto (Vg)€26.00

      • Recommended with a drop of Tokaji Dry, Furmint, Tokaj, Hungary, €13.50

    • Young's 9 oz Black Angus Irish striploin, homemade chips, Gold River Farm salad & garlic herb butter€42.00

      • Recommended with a drop of 16 Stops, Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia €12.00

    • Silverhill duck breast, rainbow carrots, potato croquette, crispy parsnip orange & beet€36.00

      • Recommended with a drop of Ca Di Alte, Pinot Nero, Veneto, Italy, €10.25

    • Roasted Hokkaido Squash cutlet, wild rice, & cranberry stuffing, ,burnt leek puree and maple dressing(V)€25.00

      • Sauces€4.00

        Pepper sauce, red wine jus

        • Snacks & Sides €7.00 €7.00

          Homemade chips with garlic aioli, Legal Eagle homemade crisps with bacon dust Steamed greens or Mixed green leaves, Irish spud buttery mash

          Our allergen guide is at the front counter. All our beef is Irish

          A 12.5% service charge will be added to parties of five or more. All tips, gratuities & service charge, whether cash or card, are distributed IN FULL to the staff who prepared and served your plates, food and drinks.

            Last updated: September 19, 2026

            Powered by OpenTable

            Reviews

            OpenTable reviews from verified diners

            Reviews from people who have dined at The Winding Stair.

            4.7

            4.7
            (3063)
            • 4.7Food
            • 4.7Service
            • 4.7Ambience
            • 4.4Value

            Noise • Moderate

            Loved For

            • Dublin

              Irish

            • Dublin 1

              Best Overall

            • Dublin 1

              Best Food

            • Dublin 1

              Best Service

            • Dublin 1

              Best Ambiance

            • Dublin 1

              Healthy

            • Dublin 1

              Neighborhood gem

            • Dublin 1

              Great for fine wines

            • Dublin 1

              Romantic

            • Dublin 1

              Good for special occasions

            • Dublin 1

              Vegetarian-friendly

            Review summary

            AI-generated from verified diner reviews
            The Winding Stair offers a delightful dining experience with "absolutely delicious" food and "wonderful service." Guests rave about the "inventive menu" featuring Irish and seafood dishes, complemented by an "extensive wine list." The "charming atmosphere" and "great view" of the River Liffey make it a "special place" perfect for both locals and visitors.
            3,063 Reviews

            1. Mark

              Dublin4 reviews

              5.0

              Dined 3 days ago

              1. Overall 5
              2. Food 4
              3. Service 5
              4. Ambience 5
              Lovely place. Food very good. A little pricey. Fantastic wine selection

              Is this helpful?

            2. Caroline Gold

              Dublin3 reviews

              4.0

              Dined 3 days ago

              1. Overall 4
              2. Food 4
              3. Service 4
              4. Ambience 4
              We had a lovely meal in The Winding Stair yesterday. Seasonal food, really tasty and nicely presented, and the desserts were delicious. Great service too. I can’t complain about the bill for what we had, but eating out in Dublin is just so expensive these days. We thoroughly enjoyed it all the same.

              Is this helpful?

            3. Liz

              Dublin3 reviews

              2.0

              Dined 4 days ago

              1. Overall 2
              2. Food 2
              3. Service 1
              4. Ambience 1
              I was very disapointed with the service, its was rushed staff really rude, very noisey vey hard to hear Food was ok would not be going back very expensive

              Is this helpful?

            4. Patrick

              Greater Boston4 reviews

              5.0

              Dined 4 days ago

              1. Overall 5
              2. Food 5
              3. Service 5
              4. Ambience 5
              Great dining experience. Wonderful wine selection.

              Is this helpful?

            5. Petar

              Dublin1 review

              4.0

              Dined 5 days ago

              1. Overall 4
              2. Food 5
              3. Service 5
              4. Ambience 4
              Very nice experience. Food was very good. Welcoming atmosphere, many locals eating there, not touristy at all. Would come back.

              Is this helpful?

            6. Julie Gold

              San Francisco16 reviews

              5.0

              Dined 5 days ago

              1. Overall 5
              2. Food 5
              3. Service 5
              4. Ambience 5
              Exceptional service, food and atmosphere. A true hidden gem. The Scotch Egg was truly amazing, as was the Haddock dish.

              Is this helpful?

            7. Chris Gold

              Chicago73 reviews

              5.0

              Dined 5 days ago

              1. Overall 5
              2. Food 5
              3. Service 4
              4. Ambience 5
              Special place. A must do one night while in Dublin. Cool setting. Above a bookstore. Excellent food and dessert! Exceptional!

              Is this helpful?

            8. jonathan

              Tampa2 reviews

              5.0

              Dined 6 days ago

              1. Overall 5
              2. Food 5
              3. Service 5
              4. Ambience 5
              Great service , extensive wine list . Duck and haddock plates were wonderful ! Very enjoyable and welcoming atmosphere with great view of the River.

              Is this helpful?

            9. Mary

              Dublin4 reviews

              4.0

              Dined on October 19, 2026

              1. Overall 4
              2. Food 4
              3. Service 4
              4. Ambience 5
              Very enjoyable evening in a busy spot on Monday evening

              Is this helpful?

            10. Sterling

              Maine3 reviews

              5.0

              Dined on October 18, 2026

              1. Overall 5
              2. Food 5
              3. Service 5
              4. Ambience 5
              Excellent, this place is the whole package!!! One of the best in Dublin

              Is this helpful?

            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
            1. Home
            2. Ireland
            3. Dublin
            4. Dublin 1
            5. North City Centre

            Make a reservation

            A photo of The Winding Stair restaurant

            The Winding Stair

            4.7
            €31 to €50
            Irish
            North City Centre

            Make a reservation

            2 people
            7:00 PM
            Booked 43 times today
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