Almost a year ago we were married next to the lake at St Margaret’s Garden under the big willow tree surrounded by flowering Cherry trees and spring flowers, followed by an afternoon reception in the rustic cafe.. I cannot rate them highly enough, Maree is fantastic, really down to earth and so accommodating with the menu.

We’re heading back next weekend for our 1 year anniversary.

It is a little small esp if it is raining, so book if you have a lot of people.. common sense

Thanks

We ventured out on a cold blustery afternoon to enjoy coffee, cake & a few alcoholic beverages.

Unfortunately our visit was short!

We were greeted in a less than friendly manner. It was just after 2pm and our introduction was “you’re not here for lunch are you”? We were a group of seven & the waitress was either baffled by this as there was no friendly welcome and she looked less than impressed that she was going to have to join two tables.

The coffee arrived with great speed but the cakes were a long way off & coffees were well finished by the time they arrived.

The beer was forgotten and the waitress had to be reminded! Once consumed she never asked if a second was required.
All in all the food was good, the service needs work and a friendlier attitude toward the patrons would go a long way.

Dear Owners.Friday 11Th March. My wife and I came for lunch today,the following is our observations: perfect location, very good service, nice staff BUT not a good menu (obviously our opinion)we do eat out regularly so can compare. We do understand that you cannot please every one all the time and from the cost point of view the menu must have a limit but too much fancy stuff not enough basic keeping in mind that (and assuming) many of your customers would be like ourselves senior citizens OR OAP’s if you like.Due to so much compotition these days many places have an all day breakfast,your such menu had items the we would have liked to indulge but had no option (other than walking out)Despite the above we do and will continue to recommend people to visit your restaurant. Respectfully George Mann

I had looked forward to going all week as I had heard good comments. I was in a group of 13, small Xmas office outing for lunch. Sad to say I was not impressed. They had over crammed bookings to maximise profit to the expense of service. The chicken was average served on beans and the deserts were not served at once but over a period of 15 minutes. A few at our table had the desert special of Xmas mince pies – $11 for three pies the size of a 50 cent piece is shameful. I left feeling ripped off and hungry.

Maree sent me a reply,apology and possible explanations,(see below) for this St Margrets has won some stars with me to the extent that I shall try dining there again. I do understand Xmas demands,(I used to run a busy Parnell cafe) but a tighter eye on the product going out of the kitchen will solve this. Well done for the reply Maree!!

Hi James,
“i am sorry you werent happy with your meal james, the chicken is on braised beans, with fresh greens and ricotta parmesan and creme fraiche did you only get the beans (as you put it) and not the rest? the dessert was meant to be 4 served with icecream or cream and fresh strawberries it is also homemade christmas mince (not from a container)if you were not served this please except my apologies and i will refund the cost of your meal to you,i can post out the refund to you please email your address or work address.the christmas period is very difficult and if you get out more at christmas you will understand this we have so many wanting to come and they are all booked so not to be crammed in or you having to wait. but the public dont seem to understand and have their own time schedual meaning we get slammed , a group not arriving on time or some do and others are up to 15 mins late making the cafe crammed as they dont leave on time. It was not as you stated to maximize profit and service suffered it is because however hard we try to explain to guest that are to be on time we cant, you have stated your opinion so please accept ours.have a merry christmas Maree “

We booked St Margaret’s Cafe for our Labour weekend wedding and we are really impressed with the way we were treated. The staff were delightful to work with. The food was wonderfully presented, fresh and cooked to perfection. Guests are still raving about the food. A big thanks to Maree and her team for giving us such a day to remember.

We have frequented this venue many times and have taken staff for outings there in the past.

I must admit that with children in tow it seems to make things much more difficult all round for the staff even thought the facility boasts great grounds for kids to entertain themselves. We have had a few short answers by certain staff from time to time but the service most often is very consistent and the food always really good. The BYO is also a big plus and there is never a rush to leave which is nice with the lovely surroundings.

Only negative would be the portions of the sides on main meals could be addressed its either a famine or a feast!

Went for lunch to St Margarets on a Thursday and they are definitely doing something right as they were relatively busy on a day with some fierce weather outside.

The room is quite cavernous, and the younger staff member friendly. The older staff member, who seems to have an amusing reputation for being impolite, was again haughty to the point of indifference. A smile from the staff can warm a room as much as the roaring fireplace.

Overall the food & service is as stated above – average. I got what I paid for. My friend didn’t so much as his pie was cold in the centre, and although they smartly & professionally heated it for him, the older waitress’ comment “I won’t tell you about the dessert special because it is a pie too” was unnecessarily waspish.

In summer this would be an ideal venue, but I can’t help but feel that the locals are settling for so-so instead of being wow-ed here.

Put it this way, it’s been a week now and I had to try and remember what I ate: the baked mushrooms with blue cheese and served underneath a massive side salad. Dessert of cheese was nicely presented. The coffee was not fabulous but overall we enjoyed ourselves.

Sometimes its 5 star, sometimes its 2… The first time I tried to have a coffee here the lady was VERY rude in telling me that they were closed for a private function and “Didn’t you SEE the sign!?” as we drove out we noticed there was NO sign out! I tried again a few weeks later and was pleasantly surprised by the friendly service by a younger waitress who made a FANTASTIC coffee. She was lovely to the kids and we had a grand old time sitting outside eating scones and muffins presented beautifully with cream/jam etc etc. The only sad thing is that these morsels are only served from 10-11am and 2-3pm. A GREAT shame as we would stop in A LOT more often for coffee, cake and fluffies if they were available all day. So, top score for the young waitress and zero for the older, who, as I found at a lunchtime visit, cannot make coffee to save herself. A barista lesson is DEFINITELY in order here!

I feel that Ella (previous review) may have been a bit harsh with her review on St Margaret’s Cafe. The staff are professional and friendly. The food quality is excellent and tasty with regular changes to the menu (Try the Pork). Keep up the Good work. Be advised the Cafe is run independently from the garden.