Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. Ireland, Republic of
  3. Dublin
  4. Dublin 1
  5. North City Centre
The Winding Stair, Dublin, Co. Dublin

The Winding Stair

4.6
4.6
2386 Reviews
€31 to €50
Irish

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 p.m.
Booked 39 times today
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for fine wines
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
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress

What 2,386 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

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Dublin 1

    Best Overall

  • Dublin 1

    Best Food

  • Dublin 1

    Best Service

  • Dublin 1

    Best Ambience

  • Dublin 1

    Good for business meals

  • Dublin 1

    Innovative

  • Dublin 1

    Healthy

  • Dublin 1

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Dublin 1

    Great for fine wines

  • Dublin 1

    Good for special occasions

  • Dublin 1

    Vegetarian-friendly

  • Dublin 1

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Winding Stair offers a "unique, quaint, and friendly" dining experience with stunning views of the Ha'Penny Bridge. Renowned for its superb Irish cuisine, the restaurant boasts "flawless food," a "wonderful ambiance," and "attentive service." It's perfect for special occasions or a relaxed meal with a touch of nostalgia.

2,386 Reviews
  1. Klaire

    Dublin

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Lovely lunch, staff and food were great but lighting in bathroom was so low it was dangerous. Both I and my elderly mother tripped over a bin in the cubicle because we could barely see. It's an accident waiting to happen

    Is this helpful?

  2. Hugh

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Attractive venue,,great food, good wine list for wines by the glass and excellent friendly service.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Marieles

    New York City

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Nourriture très bien mais l’endroit très bruyant . Les autres clients aucun respect pour les autres.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Peter

    Kent

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely place to eat just by the river. Great choice of wines. Food was very good and served quickly. Staff very friendly. Would recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Charlie

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful meal here on a very damp cold Dublin night. Dishes were very tasty. Huge wine selection. No draught beers but lots of choice in bottles. A little pricey but not vastly dissimilar from more commercial restaurants, with a significantly higher quality. Staff were professional and attentive. A lovely evening all round!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Abbey

    Kansas City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The haddock and butternut squash soup were phenomenal. Loved getting to dine in this little historical spot!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Roisin

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent meal and wonderful staff. The starters were the highlight for me. The wine was suggested by the waiter and it was an ideal choice

    Is this helpful?

  8. Brian

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful atmosphere, great service and lovely food! Great selection of wine by the glass options

    Is this helpful?

  9. Becky

    Washington DC

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Winding Stair is wonderful … cozy and lovely in every way. Pricey, hence the 4 stars on value, but it is well worth it! And absolute favorite!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Gretchen

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful service and delicious food! Would definitely recommend.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Winding Stair is rated 4.6 stars by 2386 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 p.m.
Booked 39 times today
Google Map for The Winding Stair

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

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    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
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo