The Winding Stair, County Dublin Travel Guide

History & Character

The Winding Stair holds a special place in Dublin's cultural heritage. Originally established as a bookshop and café in the 1970s and 1980s, it became a legendary meeting place for writers, musicians, and artists, earning its name from a Yeats poem and its distinctive winding staircase. The venue hosted countless creative endeavors—poems were written, novels penned, and films shot within its walls. After closure in 2005, owner Elaine Murphy resurrected the landmark in 2006 as a restaurant, preserving the bookshop on the ground floor and maintaining the venue's timeless charm with original wooden fixtures, vintage photographs, and bookshelves.

Cuisine & Menu Philosophy

The restaurant champions seasonal Irish produce sourced exclusively from artisan suppliers across the island. The menu reflects a philosophy of good, old-fashioned home cooking prepared without ego or unnecessary flourish. Signature starters include the renowned Winding Stair Fish Plate featuring Burren Smokehouse smoked fish, homemade smoked fish pâté, and chive crème fraîche on treacle bread; the Ispíní Irish charcuterie board with house-cured vegetables; and Potted Dingle Bay crab with pickled cucumber and toasted soda bread. Main courses showcase Irish seafood and game, such as Doyle's hand-smoked haddock poached in milk with white Cheddar mash, Wicklow venison with braised red cabbage and fondant potato, and Young's Black Angus Irish striploin. Vegetarian options include king oyster mushroom stew and goat cheese-stuffed Hokkaido squash. Desserts feature seasonal preparations and an excellent Irish farmhouse cheese selection.

Wine & Beverages

The wine list is notably extensive and thoughtfully curated, arranged by character rather than region to guide diners toward quality selections. The list showcases emerging boutique winemakers from both established and new wine regions. The beer program emphasizes local and international micro-breweries selected to complement the food. Staff provide knowledgeable recommendations, and wines-of-the-week selections offer focused alternatives for those seeking guidance.

Atmosphere & Setting

Located at 40 Lower Ormond Quay in Dublin's North City Centre, the restaurant occupies a small, intimate space with an open-concept kitchen offering views of both the bar and culinary activity. Large windows frame quintessentially Dublin views of the River Liffey and the iconic Ha'penny Bridge. The room maintains a buzzing, convivial atmosphere with bentwood café chairs, stripped wooden tables and floors, and original iron girders that reference the building's past as a tweed loom. Vintage photographs lining the bathroom entrance celebrate the venue's famous literary visitors. The ground-floor bookshop remains operational, adding to the venue's unique character.

Service & Value

Staff are described as warm, friendly, and professional, with genuine enthusiasm for the food and wine program. Service includes attentive guidance on menu selections and wine pairings. Fixed-price lunch menus (€22–€27) and pre-theater menus (€27–€31) offer excellent value. A 12.5% service charge is added to parties of five or more. Allergen menus are available upon request.