LOCAL FLAVORS BY THE LIFFEY

The Woollen
Mills

Enjoy a warm Irish meal, riverside views, and Dublin history
just steps from the Ha’penny Bridge.

RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATION

A Warm Dublin
Meal Just Steps
from the Ha’penny
Bridge

Restaurant at a Glance

PRICE

€€

Moderate

CUISINE

Modern Irish

Locally sourced ingredients

MEALS

Brunch, lunch, dinner

Served seven days a week

RESERVATIONS

Recommended

For dinner & weekend brunch

Quick Restaurant Notes

Location

42 Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin 1, D01 H304, Ireland

Neighborhood

North City Centre, beside the River Liffey

Nearby Landmarks

Ha’penny Bridge, Temple Bar and the River Liffey

Opening hours

Mon–Wed 12–9; Thu–Fri 12–9:30; Sat 11–10; Sun 11–9

Reservations

Recommended for dinner and weekend brunch; https://www.opentable.ie/r/the-woollen-mills-dublin

Price guide

€€ · Moderate

Menu

https://www.thewoollenmills.com/menus.htm

Dietary options

Vegetarian and vegan options available

Accessibility

Provides a lift to its upper floors and accessible seating areas.

Atmosphere

Warm, lively and casual; historic four-story riverside setting

Good for

Couples, friends, families, brunch and a meal while exploring central Dublin

Getting there

Short walk from Temple Bar and central Dublin; By public transit, stop at Lower Liffey Street – bus stops 37, 39, 39A, 70. By Tram (Luas), stop at JERVIS

Parking

https://www.apcoa.ie/locationoverview/location/dublin/jervis-street-dublin

Contact

+353 1 828 0835

Website

https://www.thewoollenmills.com/

Good to know

There is outdoor seating with heating, including a roof terrace with amazing views. There is a 10-12.5% service charge. The dress code is casual. Peak busy times include Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings as well as weekend brunch hours (11 am to 3:30 pm).

Read Along the Route

Bring along Dubliners by James Joyce to experience the lively streets, ordinary lives, and complex character of the city through his eyes. The collection feels especially fitting at The Woollen Mills, where Joyce once worked as a young man.

After a morning spent wandering Dublin’s lively streets, we were ready for somewhere warm, welcoming, and distinctly Irish.

Thankfully, our walking tour guide suggested The Woollen Mills, perched beside the River Liffey and just steps from the Ha’penny Bridge. It was an excellent recommendation and quickly became the setting for one of our favorite meals in the city.

From the moment we stepped inside, we understood its appeal. The Woollen Mills is exactly the sort of place we love finding while traveling. It feels lively without being rushed, historic without being overly polished, and welcoming enough that you immediately want to settle in. Meanwhile, warm lights glow above the tables, conversation hums throughout the dining room, and the smell of freshly baked bread drifts through the old building. Before lunch even arrived, we knew we had chosen well.

Beyond its cozy atmosphere, the restaurant has a fascinating connection to Dublin’s past. The building has been part of city life for more than a century and once housed a busy woollen merchant and textile business. Even more interestingly, a young James Joyce worked here. Today, the four-story space has been transformed into a restaurant that still feels closely tied to its history. As a result, its old-world character pairs beautifully with the modern Irish food coming from the kitchen.

Speaking of the food, the menu changes with the seasons and celebrates ingredients sourced from around Ireland. Depending on when you visit, you might find a hearty bowl of soup, fresh seafood and vegetables, or thick slices of brown bread served warm from the bakery. Although the dishes feel comforting and familiar, they are far from boring.

To make the experience even better, we found a table near the windows and lingered over a leisurely lunch while watching Dublin move along the river outside. With the Ha’penny Bridge nearby and the city unfolding beyond the glass, it became one of those simple travel moments that stays with you. It was not extravagant. Instead, it felt memorable because it was so perfectly rooted in its surroundings.

Ultimately, that is what we loved most about The Woollen Mills. It captures Dublin’s easygoing hospitality in a way that feels warm, unfussy, and full of character. Whether you visit for brunch, lunch, or dinner, leave a little room in your schedule to linger.

After all, this is one stop worth weaving into your own Dublin wanderings.

ONE PAGE AND BITE AT A TIME

“There was a warm fire there and friendly people.”

James Joyce, “Grace,” Dubliners

ORIGINAL WORK
THOUGHTFULLY RESEARCHED

Written by Jacqueline Miller, founder of Adventurous Ambles. Through firsthand travel, original photography, and detailed route research, Jacqueline creates walking guides, hiking resources, destination reading lists, and travel inspiration for curious travelers. Unless otherwise noted, all content and photography on Adventurous Ambles are original works protected by copyright.

KEEP WANDERING