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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 perfectly located, 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. When its closure was announced in 2005, there were mutterings about the end of an era, but 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.
Wholesome Irish restaurant in airy room overlooking the River Liffey with downstairs book shop.
Hours
| Wednesday | 12–3 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 12–3 PM, 5:30–10 PM |
| Friday | 12–3 PM, 5:30–10 PM |
| Saturday | 12–3 PM, 5:30–10 PM |
| Sunday | 12–3 PM, 5:30–9 PM |
| Monday | 12–3 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–3 PM, 5–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 40 Ormond Quay Lower, North City, Dublin 1, D01 R9Y5, Ireland
Phone: +353 1 872 7320
Website: http://www.winding-stair.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: winding-stair.comopentable.ie
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
The Winding Stair – Dublin Restaurant & Bookshop
Dublin city centre restaurant with views of the Ha’Penny Bridge and The Liffey river.
The Winding Stair Restaurant – Dublin – OpenTable
The Winding Stair. 4.7 (2794). €31 to €50. Irish. 40 Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin, Co … Dublin D01 R9Y5. Neighborhood. North City Centre. Parking details. None.
Winding Stair | Condé Nast Traveler
Winding Stair. Books downstairs; creamy chowder, steamed … Part bookstore, part restaurant, the Winding Stair is the perfect hideaway for a rainy day.
Reviews
panos liza
We sat as requested in our reservation, next to the window in the middle of the facade for perfect view of the Ha penny bridge. They replay promptly in the emails.
The service is really good and active. Also friendly and smart.
The food is very good in terms of quality and quantity. Taste is something personal but we all happily surprised with the unbelievable combination of the sweet pickled herring. Bravo to the chef for the idea.
Also the treacle bread is unique.
We paid 240€ for 3 starters and 3 main + a bottle of wine.
… moreThe service is really good and active. Also friendly and smart.
The food is very good in terms of quality and quantity. Taste is something personal but we all happily surprised with the unbelievable combination of the sweet pickled herring. Bravo to the chef for the idea.
Also the treacle bread is unique.
We paid 240€ for 3 starters and 3 main + a bottle of wine.
Gabrielle Zendan
Great lunch spot with traditional Irish dishes done really well and a good drink selection. The Scotch Egg is superb!
I love the ambiance, being it’s on the second floor of the book store with a view of the river. And the staff is very friendly and quick.
… moreI love the ambiance, being it’s on the second floor of the book store with a view of the river. And the staff is very friendly and quick.
Margaret Helmus
Come hungry because the food is so good. They also had a good selection of wine. Not really any cocktails if that’s what you’re going for but for us we didn’t mind. Service was also really great and even gave us recommendations for our after dinner spot.
… moreMichael Kelley
The Winding Stair offers beautifully prepared cuisine in an environment both rustic and elevated.
The extensive wine menu pairs perfectly with the fresh, seasonal offerings.
Plates are great for sharing.
It’s always so special when food, wine, service and atmosphere all work together to provide a fantastic experience.
Our best dining experience in Dublin.
… moreThe extensive wine menu pairs perfectly with the fresh, seasonal offerings.
Plates are great for sharing.
It’s always so special when food, wine, service and atmosphere all work together to provide a fantastic experience.
Our best dining experience in Dublin.
Danielle W
Excellent restaurant. Food, ambiance and service was incredible. My friend and I were able to get a walk in which we were so appreciative for. The service was attentive and food was delicious! We started with Winding Stair Fish Plate, and I had the Doyle’s seam bream which was cooked to perfection. Please be mindful there several steep flight of stairs to reach the restaurant. We had a wonderful experience at this charming restaurant and reservations are highly recommended.
… moreSteve Tapril
Looked forward to a birthday meal here as part of our trip to Dublin so made a reservation for 2. Thoroughly disappointed, really, quite the letdown. When we arrived, the waitress didn’t hear us with the full name of the reservation (the shreaking of American tourists didn’t help), and asked us to repeat. We misunderstood and thought first name only, to which she then ridiculed us and said there were a lot of people with that name and that it didn’t help. We were then seated adjacent to another table of 2. By adjacent, I mean, we were essentially joining them on a table of four – separated only by a pillar, with both diners sat right next to us. They were uncomfortable, and so were we. During the meal, tables were moved to fit in as many diners as possible – it was almost factory like, at the expense of comfort (and to a degree, personal space and dignity).
We ordered a bottle of Zweigelt/Pinot Noir, one of my favourites, but it was vinegary and unpleasant. Certainly not what I am used to from the vineyards of Austria. The starter was charcuterie to share. Our waitress advised that, although it’s charcuterie, it doesn’t come with any cheese and that this would be an added extra. In fact, it was a small platter with a few slices of cured meat and three pieces of toast, with a random side salad. We were offered rapeseed oil for the toast, not olive oil. It was all quite bizarre. I’ve prepared better charcuterie platters for guests at my house with produce from a well-known European grocery store.
Mains were Irish Black Angus striploin which was tasty but an average steak at best. It was at least cooked medium rare as requested. Vegetables on the side were beyond aldente, rather they were in fact raw. The chips were salted to oblivion and back, and looked more like oven style than homemade. The other main was Wicklow lamb – no option to choose how it was cooked (any sort of quality lamb should be served medium rare, but the question should at least be asked and it wasn’t). It came with gristle running through, was tough and again bland in taste served with halved new potatoes parboiled and fried, again all bland – more raw vegetables to boot.
Total meal price for two was €160.
We had high hopes given the reviews but they must reflect the American clientele with a supremely limited experience of cuisine – easily pleased, there for the photo opportunity and quaint surroundings, more than the meal for which they’re paying.
One saving grace – the manager/owner followed us out to hand back some debit cards that had fallen out of a handbag. Very kind indeed, for which the review acquired an additional star. I think he was aware that our experience had been subpar, and seemed as embarrassed as us.
The opportunity is there for this to be a great culinary destination, but there needs to be a shift away from pandering to tourists. It can either be a tourist trap, or a great restaurant, but I suspect not both.
… moreWe ordered a bottle of Zweigelt/Pinot Noir, one of my favourites, but it was vinegary and unpleasant. Certainly not what I am used to from the vineyards of Austria. The starter was charcuterie to share. Our waitress advised that, although it’s charcuterie, it doesn’t come with any cheese and that this would be an added extra. In fact, it was a small platter with a few slices of cured meat and three pieces of toast, with a random side salad. We were offered rapeseed oil for the toast, not olive oil. It was all quite bizarre. I’ve prepared better charcuterie platters for guests at my house with produce from a well-known European grocery store.
Mains were Irish Black Angus striploin which was tasty but an average steak at best. It was at least cooked medium rare as requested. Vegetables on the side were beyond aldente, rather they were in fact raw. The chips were salted to oblivion and back, and looked more like oven style than homemade. The other main was Wicklow lamb – no option to choose how it was cooked (any sort of quality lamb should be served medium rare, but the question should at least be asked and it wasn’t). It came with gristle running through, was tough and again bland in taste served with halved new potatoes parboiled and fried, again all bland – more raw vegetables to boot.
Total meal price for two was €160.
We had high hopes given the reviews but they must reflect the American clientele with a supremely limited experience of cuisine – easily pleased, there for the photo opportunity and quaint surroundings, more than the meal for which they’re paying.
One saving grace – the manager/owner followed us out to hand back some debit cards that had fallen out of a handbag. Very kind indeed, for which the review acquired an additional star. I think he was aware that our experience had been subpar, and seemed as embarrassed as us.
The opportunity is there for this to be a great culinary destination, but there needs to be a shift away from pandering to tourists. It can either be a tourist trap, or a great restaurant, but I suspect not both.
Scott Elkington
Service was via the invisible waitress. The manager couldn’t care less. He was most concerned with informing me that they had no Guinness. I had the lamb that was tasty but extremely hard to chew.
… moreNoemie Barroso
The atmosphere is great and I love how small the restaurant is. The service is professional and top class. The food is excellent and the view of the bridge is wonderful ! I definitely recommend.
… moreKeun Young Yoo
I had made a reservation for one, but they seated me in a far corner with no view at all—not only was there no window in sight, I could barely even see the inside of the restaurant. At one point, another guest actually came up to me to ask where the bathroom was, because I was sitting at a side table near the staff desk and they thought I was the receptionist.
When I looked around, I realized I was the only non-white guest in the restaurant at that time. It could easily be taken as a case of microaggression. Soon after, an Indian-looking couple was seated in the corner right next to me. But the waiter soon moved them to a window table. Only when I complained did they finally move me too—by then, I was already having dessert and the sun had set.
The food was good. But the experience itself wasn’t pleasant. I don’t think I’ll go back.
… moreWhen I looked around, I realized I was the only non-white guest in the restaurant at that time. It could easily be taken as a case of microaggression. Soon after, an Indian-looking couple was seated in the corner right next to me. But the waiter soon moved them to a window table. Only when I complained did they finally move me too—by then, I was already having dessert and the sun had set.
The food was good. But the experience itself wasn’t pleasant. I don’t think I’ll go back.
Harlequin Hoatzin
Delicious food with very knowledgeable servers. Loads of options, including for vegetarians and Vegans. Great selection of drinks, including cocktails and wine.
We had starters, main course and desert. I had all the vegan options, all very tasty.
The location is gorgeous with a great view of the Liffey if you can get a seat by the window!
… moreWe had starters, main course and desert. I had all the vegan options, all very tasty.
The location is gorgeous with a great view of the Liffey if you can get a seat by the window!