The Winding Stair

Great atmosphere, very friendly waiters.
I got the smoked haddock, it was amazing.
Quite noisy and a little bit too warm inside to get the 5 stars.
However I strongly recommend it, only local food!

We usually don’t go to restaurants that fellow tourists recommend but even the locals we met said to call and get reservations. The place buzzed with people making «I love my food and no I won’t share noises». It was amazing.

Simply amazing!!! Wonderful atmosphere and deliciously comforting food. We loved everything about this place.

The place is cramped and chaotic and absolutely shouldn’t work… but it does, and in fact does so spectacularly well.
The dining room, much like myself, is small but nicely decorated and looks out over the ha’penny bridge on the liffey (if you are fortunate enough to be sitting near a window)… em, you understand the comparison with myself ends before the looking out on to the river bit, which I don’t do unless I happen to be passing on any given day.
The food is amazing — mostly fish dishes with the odd steak thrown in for good measure and a wine list that will have you happily squiffy.
My dining companions made the mistake of going for starters, all of which looked and tasted lovely, but they are big, particularly dishes like the chowder — thus leaving little space for the main course… probably best to share a starter if you feel so inclined.
The place is famed for its fish, but I went for steak because… well, you know… steak. It was perfect and filling, though a few more chips would have been welcome.
The Winding Stain is not cheap but not prohibitively expensive either, as a gauge, the steak was 29Euro.
Without question, worth a shot.

I’ll just say it right up front — really struggled with the rating here because the poached egg on my date’s meal was overdone and it kind of ruined the meal for him given the poached egg was what he was really looking forward to. However, we did mention this to our server at the end (just so he could let the kitchen know, not necessarily to make a stink about it) and he was very apologetic and ended up taking our coffees off the bill, which I thought was excellent customer service!
That being said…
The place is great. Be sure to get a seat by the window, especially if it’s a sunny day! It was about half full when we went around 12:30, nice big windows and wood chairs/​tables make it feel clean and open and cheerful. We ordered coffees which were GREAT, and their brunch menu is loaded with unique and delicious combos: for example, hash with beetroot and beef? Delicious! And you’re unlikely to find it elsewhere!
I had the waffle stack which was amazing as well — tons of fruit hidden under the top waffle too and the syrup/​sauce was key.
Again the one disappointment was the overcooked poached egg but that’s easily a fluke thing so I’ll give the benefit of the doubt!

I had visited the bookstore downstairs a few times before eating here. It is definitely, definitely worth the price tag. Up the winding stairs (hah) you find a small but adorably decorated room with a lovely bar and excellent view of the Ha’penny Bridge.
Our server was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable of the menu, recommending us meat-​free options. i went with the hand-​smoked haddock in milk with white cheddar mash, and my boyfriend got the steamed cockles and mussels, with crab, brown toast, and chips with a tasty sauce. We both ordered two bottles of beer (they have a good list). Not sure what he got, but I got the Trouble Brewing Graffiti Session Ale.
Everything was purely delicious. At first I was apprehensive about the fish swimming in milk, but it actually provided a soft flavour. The mash was probably my favourite part, especially when combined with the haddock. The mussels were lovely but somewhat messy, and we needed extra napkins.
We were absolutely stuffed when we finished, and couldn’t order dessert for fear of having to roll down the street back to the car. But I’ve heard that the bread and butter pudding with whiskey sauce is amazing. We were very happy with everything. Of course, the bill was a bit high for my student lifestyle, but it was SO worth it.

A wonderful lunch at this quaint Dublin restaurant. Their terrific staff created a child’s menu on the spot for our three without prompting. The sweet potato soup of the day was delicious as was the fish and chips. The view of the Ha’penny bridge, the delightful room and wonderful food make this a destination restaurant.

I have read a couple of mixed reviews on here but I have to say my experience in the Winding Stair was overhwhelmingly positive. I went on a Thursday at around 6pm and got to avail of the early bird menu.
I got the crumbed parsnips to start which were nice but nothing dynamic. My friend got some smoked or cured salmon which was beautifully presented and he commented on how wonderfully fresh it tasted. My main was pollock and it was delectable, I really couldn’t fault any aspect of this dish. I almost licked my plate clean it was all cooked to perfection and so tasty. I got the rhubard and orange mess for dessert which was fantastic and once again I had to stop myself from tongue-​ing the glass.
The setting of the Winding Stair is ideallic. I had a window view of the Ha’penny Bridge and the restaurant itself is so charming. The service was very attentive with the waiter checking in with us during every course with a genuinely friendly attitude. We had our table for 2 hours which was more than enough time to enjoy 3 courses. I would be happy to recommend this place to anyone, especially for the great value early bird menu.

Have to give this a 5 star. It just worked. The food was incredible. When you get a taste in your mouth when all the flavours gel together and its special. I had deep fried Camembert to start with a plum purée and turkey for main seems as it was Christmas. Their granny Murphys trifle was amazing that I wanted to meet her to get the recipe.
The staff were friendly and informative. The only negative was that they didn’t bring back the change when we paid. It was going to be their tip but they presumed it, but I didn’t let it annoy me. Lovely surroundings looking out to the city. Will go again for sure.

This was a great ending to my trip in Ireland. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time (especially around theatre time, or on weekends)! We were turned away a number of nights due to a full house, but we were able to stop by late on a Tuesday night and snag a table for four. We were seated in a cozy table in front of a window with a gorgeous view of the bridge leading into Temple Bar area. Our server was engaging and attentive, far surpassing any of the already superb service we received at any restaurant in Ireland. Between the four of us, we all enjoyed (almost) every single dish we received.
Food:
— Doran’s queen scallops, Ballinwillin black pudding and Gubbeen chorizo with potato pancake and sea-​herb butter (€ 12.95)
A perfect start to a perfect dinner! The scallops were perfectly cooked, with the best herbed butter pair. We opted out of the black pudding (which the chef so graciously obliged to, with a couple of jokes about us Americans), and we were offered more chorizo to make up for it. Definitely go for the scallops if you’re looking for a light yet delicious starter.
— Char-​grilled 28 day dry-​age Irish beef rib-​eye steak with sticky onions, roasted garlic truffle butter and homemade chips (€ 28.00)
GET THIS. Even if you have to share or eat ramen for the next week, this is definitely a dish you will not want to miss. The steak was so tender and well-​seasoned that it almost melts in your mouth. The roasted garlic truffle butter was a little strong in my opinion, so I left it off my steak as I felt it was unnecessary for the overall dish. Also, homemade chips. Nuff said.
— Nicholson’s hand-​smoked haddock, poached in milk with onions and white Cheddar mash (€ 24.95)
I preferred the haddock over the hake, as it was a little lighter and paired well with the mash. My only complaint was that it was also very pale in color and didn’t offer quite enough vibrancy for my eyes to feast upon. Although, when it tastes that good, I don’t even bother with trying to take more pictures!
— Doran’s hake, nutty butter, brown shrimp, capers and almonds, baby leeks and champ (€ 27.50)
I wasn’t completely sold on the hake. Although coupled with brown shrimp, the taste didn’t quite sit well with me. However, my other dining counterparts gobbled it all up!
— Sticky pear and ginger cake with vanilla ice-​cream (€ 6.95)
This was the dish that was most disappointing to me! I was excited to try the pear and ginger «match made in heaven», but was sorely disappointed by the dryness of the cake and lack of flavor. The best part of the dessert was unfortunately the vanilla ice cream.
— Bread and butter pudding with whiskey sauce (€ 6.95)
Perfect dessert! If I were to do dinner all over again here, I would definitely opt for the bread and butter pudding. Best dessert on the menu!
— White chocolate and cherry brownie with vanilla ice-​cream (€ 6.95)
Good brownie, but nothing spectacular. Ice cream is always good too.
Dream Meal:
Appetizer: Doran’s Queen Scallops
Main: Char-​Grilled 28 Day Dry-​Age Rib-​Eye Steak
Dessert: Bread & Butter Pudding

Oh, The Winding Stair. It started out so promising. Why did you have to break my heart?
After reading many positive reviews on their tradition-​oriented food I took some guests for a work dinner here, and was really smitten with the charismatic staff and the overall loveliness of the setting. Sure, the seating was a bit cramped and the food wasn’t lip-​smacking but it was a lovely night, nonetheless. I left with the impression that I possibly had just ordered the wrong thing and that I’d definitely be back for something else (i.e. «It’s not you, it’s me»)
However, a return visit with my sister a few weeks later confirmed that there’s a serious flaw in the machinery here. We shared a smoked fish starter, which was lovely, but y’know, predictable.
For main I ordered what sounded like an imaginative vegetarian dish, roast parsnip casserole in a blue cheese sauce. It was bad. The smell of the blue cheese sauce was so overpowering that the guy at the table next to us leaned over to our table and said «Jaysus, you’re brave.» The whole thing as a concept did not work, at all. But I was more irked by my sister’s meal. She was delighted to see John Dory on the menu but was told, upon ordering, that it would actually be hake. Um, ok. Isn’t there a substantial price difference between those fish? She didn’t say anything and it came out as another flat dish, lacking in flavor and execution. And way too expensive, at 27 euro.
The bill came out at 100 euro and though we didn’t say anything we were both deflated. Top marks for a great location and hard working staff but if you’re going to charge top dollar for food you have to make it better than this.

Somewhere I’d been wanting to come for some time.
First thing’s first — the setting is gorgeous. Sitting up there on the top floor, in this genteel old building with the wind-​y, creek-​y stairs, the paneled walls, the century old floor boards and those big windows looking out over the Ha’penny Bridge & the river Liffey, there’s such a feeling of contentment. It really is such a beautifully cosy spot, it’d be hard to get off on the wrong foot.
Then there’s the second thing. It wasn’t so much the wrong foot as just not the best foot forward. I stood at the entrance waiting for quite some time until someone escorted me to my table. Look it wasn’t hours, but it was just long enough to start to feel a bit awkward. This was a sign of things to come. The restaurant was actually really full considering it was a Monday night, and the waitress on our floor seemed to be managing it all on her own. This meant that service was quite brisk — slow at times — and not massively attentive. Things like fetching our own water bottles, not being offered a second glass of wine, etc. Honestly she was doing as well as she could — perhaps someone had called in sick or they were short staffed for some reason.
We went for the early bird menu which was good value at 27 euro for two courses and 31 for three. The menu said that you had to vacate the seating by 8.15, but we were there til 930 — partly because of the slower service and I guess they weren’t rushing us out as it was a Monday.
The food was all good quality, though in all honesty, nothing I’d be rushing back for. I got the starter of ham hock terrine with black pudding on sourdough toast. terrine was lovely but the toast was cut too thick and was cold. It was all incredibly dry — it was hard to eat and needed something between the dry toast and the dry meat. I asked for butter but it had come out of a very cold fridge so was unusable (a pet peeve of mine!). For main I got beef cheek and colcannon. The beef cheek was extremely tender and came with a rich gravy (hints of red wine through it perhaps?) Again, hard to put the finger on why this wasn’t magnificent — I think because it was all so heavy, it was missing a lightness or freshness in contrast to the extreme comfort food. There just wasn’t enough to keep the taste buds interested.
The desert was the exception, as it was, exceptional. The bread & butter pudding was perfect. It comes with a whiskey sauce which really tastes like caramel with a vague hint of whiskey. The brownie was one of the best I’ve ever had. Crunchie outside, moist inside with pops of cherry to offset the richness, served with a light white chocolate ice cream. Divine.
So, to sum up. The setting is beautiful. Honestly if you’re after really excellent modern Irish cuisine, I could list a few places at the same (higher than average) price point that do it a lot better. Stick to the desert and a glass of wine and you’re onto a winner.

Good variety of brunch. Not really expensive but very rich and tasty ! Count between 14 and 25 € for a brunch, without the drinks.
Very nice personal too.
I would definitely go back next time im in Dublin.
Not a single cons.

We came in only expecting to order dessert, but were so impressed with the menu that we ended up trying out some appetizers as well.
Veal Carpaccio: B+
The veal was incredibly fresh and tender, but I think the garnish left room for improvement. The cheese was a bit too funky and overpowered the natural gaminess of the lamb. Also, the truffle honey was overly sweet. I think the essence of the dish, the veal, was lost.
Trout Pâté: A–
The pâté was done incredibly well and garnished with roe. My only qualms was that the bread was a little burnt but overall execution was perfect.
Bread Pudding: A++++++++++++++++++++++
We came here for this and it delivered. Awesome.
Bottom line:
Cute, quaint place with inspiring dishes and perfect ambiance overlooking the river. Would highly recommend reservations.

This is my favorite restaurant in Dublin. I live in New York but on my trips to Ireland I always make a point of coming here.
The space is a classy sort of rustic with a great bank of tall windows looking out over the river.
The food is not elegantly simple and never anything short of superb, the epitome of Modern European, a close cousin of New American cuisine. (Yeah the names are a little silly but what else CAN you call this food.)
I can’t comment on the menu as it’s fiercely seasonal and always changing but I can’t recommend this place enough.

Am zweiten Abend in Dublin wollten wir etwas besonderes besuchen, für einen 50. Geburtstag war es der Anlass. Das Winding Stairs war als sehr gut geratet, also auf die Stairs hinauf.
Negativ ist hier nur, dass man den Tisch (wohl normal in Dublin) nur für zwei Stunden gebucht bekommt und das hier die Tische schon sehr, sehr eng stehen.
Ansonsten ein super Service, sehr leckeres Essen (ja und nicht gerade billig) und eine urige Location. Der Besuch hat sich gelohnt und ist eine Wiederholung wert.
Wie jemand allerdings diese engen Treppen nach einigen Pints oder Flaschen Wein noch heil runter kommen soll?

Amazing bookstore/​restaurant overlooking the river. I had a pork dish with a nice salad and the amazing bread pudding. The pork dish was so nice and tender and flavored to perfection. It was nestled on a bed of warm mashed potatoes. The salad was very flavorful and balanced in texture and flavor. And the bread pudding? Probably the best bread pudding I’ve ever had in my life. Warm, soft, just sweet enough… SO. GOOD. Very upscale and classy place with a great wine list (I went with a rosé and it was delicious).

On a double date that included Wuthering Heights in The Gate, we decided to keep the classy vibe of the night going by hitting The Winding Stair up. I had been here when I first moved to Dublin all of 9 years ago and it really does have that family vibe. Great Irish food done well. Maybe not the most exciting menu but you know that before you go in to be fair!
I had the pork belly (my auld reliable) and it was reliably good. Satisfied Theatre goers all round!

Overall a great restaurant, with delicious food, a good wine list and courteous service.
The food menu is extensive enough and includes a few vegetarian options — however, this is exactly why I’m not giving them the full five stars, some of these dishes can be disappointing especially comparing with the fish/​meat courses. That being said, everything was quite hearty, even if very modernly prepared and presented, and the ingredients tasted fresh and honest.
We booked a table and I’d recommend anyone to do the same, as this place is not that big and it gets packed fairly quick. It’s a sober laid-​back room and the atmosphere is cheerful but it never gets too noisy.
The waiters were very amicable throughout the evening, even allowing us plenty of time between our main and dessert — we ordered dessert purely out of gluttony, so we had to find space for it in our belly.
A very good dinning experience that I hope to repeat more often, I can only imagine how nice it must be to have lunch by the window here. It’s slightly expensive but well worth it, perfect for a special night or small celebration.

The winding stair is a first class spot. The restaurant is above their bookshop, up an old-​school creaky stairs. It’s located just opposite the hay’penny brigde, with a lovely view of the Liffey.
The food is delicious. Homely but taken to the next level. Each dish is made using the highest quality ingredients and the dishes are jam packed full of flavour. They also have a considerable beer and wine list.
The winding stair is somewhere that I have been to a good few times, and I know I will keep returning due to its reliability. The staff are most helpful and friendly. A+ for winding stair, keep it up guys!!!

We had diner here with my mother and my boyfriend. She was visiting the city for a few days so I wanted to take here in a nice place with local food, but not too traditional too since she did not have a very good souvenir of the food here.
When we arrived, the restaurant was full so we were placed at the last table in the back of the restaurant, between the kitchen and the loo. I first thought it would be bad, but at last, we weren’t bothered since the place is spacious enough, on the contrary, it was pretty cosy with the nice library right next to us and we were more quiet a bit appart of the other peoples in the restaurant.
The service was really nice, the waiter even new a few words in french and translated us a few spices on the menu we did not know.
I took the lamb, it was awesome, perfectly cook, tender, a bit crunchy on the top, the lentils and the mashed potatoes that came with were good too even if not exceptional. My mom wasn’t feeling really good so she took the soup of the day which was potato and leak, absolutely delicious. And a second starter after that, the carpaccio, which is not exactly a normal carpaccio since it seems to be made of smoked meat? I liked it, but the mushrooms on it weren’t my favorite tho…
My boyfriend took something of the daily special: lamb kidneys and liver, it was huge but he finished it since it was so good.
The quantity in the plates are pretty big, and the food is awesome.
I’d love to go back there, even if it was only for the soup. And very likely for the lamb too.

El sitio al que llevo a mis amigos cuando visitan dublín. Siempre quedas bien.
Sale algo caro pero la calidad es buenisima.
Consejo: Si vas en fin de semana reserva, se pone hasta arriba y pide que te sienten arriba en la segunda planta a lado de la ventana, no creo que te hagan caso pero si lo hacen tendrás unas vistas estupendas del Penny Bridge!
Mejor plato para mi: ribeye steak.
Mensaje para la cocina: Por favor volver a poner el brownie de cereza!!!