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

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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No. of diners

2 people

DateTime

9 Dec 2023

19:00

Booked 39 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

Location
40 Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin, Co. Dublin D01 R9Y5
Area
North City Centre
Parking Details
Public Lot
Additional
Beer, View, Wine

Feighcullen Chicken livers with oyster mushroom , pickled shallot & toasted sourdough
Onion squash & miso soup, sesame, crispy kale & pickled ginger
Potted Dingle Bay crab with pickled cucumber, toasted soda bread and organic leaves
Roasted Kinsealy aubergine with Mandi ( Middle Eastern-spiced cinnamon, coriander & tomato jam), chilli oil & coconut yoghurt

Mains

Youngs 9oz Black Angus striploin, homemade chips, steamed greens & garlic herb butter
- Supplement
Irish Waters’ ray wing, cauliflower, rainbow chard, mussels & crispy capers
Tempura parsnips, black kale, pear chutney, cumin & mint coconut yoghurt, sunflower seeds
Pigs on the green pork cutlet, pistachio gremolata, tenderstem broccoli, potato & celeriac gratin

Desserts

Dark chocolate mousse, slow cooked berries
Baked apple cake, whiskey cream
White chocolate brioche bread pudding, Boulabán mascarpone ice cream caramel sauce

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

Diners' Choice Awards

Dublin
Irish
Dublin 1
Best Overall
Dublin 1
Best Food
Dublin 1
Best Service
Dublin 1
Best Ambience
Dublin 1
Best Value
Dublin 1
Good for business meals
Dublin 1
Good for business meals
Dublin 1
Innovative
Dublin 1
Healthy
Dublin 1
Neighbourhood gem
Dublin 1
Great for fine wines
Dublin 1
Vegetarian-friendly
Dublin 1
Most Booked

1,982 Reviews

SM
SorchaM
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food in a lovely setting with excellent service
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CF
CiFa
Dublin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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PH
PaulH
Dublin
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Yet again ... very nice evening. ......................
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Dublin
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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HC
HelenC
Dublin
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Lovely restaurant with a lovely view, and good ambiance....
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Gloucestershire
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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OT
OpenTable Diner
Dublin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Hidden gem of Dublin! At least for us Dutch people :-)
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DH
DanH
Dublin
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Food was nothing special and a little over priced. Nice ambience and view of the quays.
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CB
CarmelB
Dublin
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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OT
OpenTable Diner
Wicklow
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 1 December 2023
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
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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OT
OpenTable Diner
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 25 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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EK
EithneK
Dublin
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 25 November 2023
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
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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OT
OpenTable Diner
Dublin
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 25 November 2023
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
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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P
Patricia
Dublin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 25 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic service, lovely food ! Would def return
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E
Enbee
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 25 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Glorious food, great service - highly recommend a visit
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MD
MichaelD
New York Area
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 25 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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e
eh34
London
27 reviews
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on 24 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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SB
SophiaB
Dublin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 24 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food and cosy atmosphere, right in the centre of torn
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SL
SarahL
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 24 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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D
penelopeD
Dorset
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 24 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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CR
ChristineR
Greater Boston
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on 24 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Cozy place with allusions to one of Ireland’s many claims to fame: poetry/literature. Interesting menu, nice hospitality
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GM
GregM
Dublin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 23 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lovely restaurant, lovely fresh food and great staff.
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LL
LouiseL
Dublin
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 22 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was excellent, homely and comforting but cooked and presented beautifully. Service was great.
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AW
AbigailW
Charlotte
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 21 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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DC
DeclanC
Dublin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 18 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The usual fantastic food ... the Ray was amazing!!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Dublin
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on 18 November 2023
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
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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GC
GaetC
Dublin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 17 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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ND
NessaD
Sydney
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 15 November 2023
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great setting, fun vibe and atmosphere, attracts a great mix of patrons.
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MN
MNiC
Greater Boston
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on 15 November 2023
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
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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PT
PatT
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 10 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It was Fantastic dinner, with excellent service and yummy desserts.
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a
angelad
Dublin
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 9 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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E
Elizabethc
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 8 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Wish there were more options on the lunch menu. Steak was good.
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ML
ML616
Dublin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 7 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Good food, nice venue, very friendly and nice staff.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Dublin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 3 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
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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DF
DianneF
Tampa
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 3 November 2023
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
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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DD
DoubleD
Washington DC
21 reviews
vip
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on 3 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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E
Eleanor
Dubai
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 1 November 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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DD
DoubleD
Washington DC
21 reviews
vip
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on 29 October 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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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OT
OpenTable Diner
Denver
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 29 October 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
So yummy—loved the haddock and strawberry wine and taters
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WL
WilliamL
Baltimore
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on 28 October 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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 booking

No. of diners

2 people

DateTime

9 Dec 2023

19:00

Booked 39 times today

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

Additional information

Area
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

Website
http://winding-stair.com/
Phone number
(01) 872 7320

The Winding Stair

Make a booking

Additional information

Menu

Starters

Feighcullen Chicken livers with oyster mushroom , pickled shallot & toasted sourdough

Onion squash & miso soup, sesame, crispy kale & pickled ginger

Potted Dingle Bay crab with pickled cucumber, toasted soda bread and organic leaves

Roasted Kinsealy aubergine with Mandi ( Middle Eastern-spiced cinnamon, coriander & tomato jam), chilli oil & coconut yoghurt

Mains

Youngs 9oz Black Angus striploin, homemade chips, steamed greens & garlic herb butter

Irish Waters’ ray wing, cauliflower, rainbow chard, mussels & crispy capers

Tempura parsnips, black kale, pear chutney, cumin & mint coconut yoghurt, sunflower seeds

Pigs on the green pork cutlet, pistachio gremolata, tenderstem broccoli, potato & celeriac gratin

Desserts

Dark chocolate mousse, slow cooked berries

Baked apple cake, whiskey cream

White chocolate brioche bread pudding, Boulabán mascarpone ice cream caramel sauce

What 1,982 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

FAQs

How is The Winding Stair restaurant rated?

Is The Winding Stair currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information