Margaret Bistro — Restaurant in Bali

⭐ Review: Margaret Bistro, Canggu we won’t be back.

Over the past four weeks, we’ve been regular patrons of Margaret Bistro in Canggu—so much so that we even joined their loyalty program. Initially, our experience was overwhelmingly positive. The food is consistently well-prepared and flavorful, the drinks are great, and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. We also appreciated the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, which added to the overall charm of the place.

However, our impression changed dramatically during our most recent visit.

Having built a rapport through frequent visits, I made a simple request: an omelette with bacon, mushrooms, cheese, and prawns—nothing out of the ordinary, and all of these ingredients are on their menu in various forms. To my surprise, the staff refused to accommodate this combination. They said they couldn’t prepare the omelette that way, despite it being a basic and common request in most bistros.

I was genuinely taken aback. It wasn’t a matter of unavailable ingredients or an overly complicated dish—it was just a flat “no” to a modest customisation. They advertise build your own breakfast? But then tell me no they won’t cook my breakfast the way I wanted it. They said they will cook the eggs, the bacon, the cheese, and the mushrooms and bring them all as 4 separate dishes, which is just absurd to me? Why would I then want to combine it all, As a result, I cancelled my entire order and made the decision not to return.

For a venue that encourages customer loyalty, I was disappointed by the complete lack of flexibility or willingness to adapt to a loyal customer’s request. If you enjoy the exact items on their menu, you’ll probably have a good experience. But if you’re looking for a place that accommodates reasonable personal preferences or goes the extra mile for regulars, Margaret Bistro may not be the...

Don’t be fooled by the high ish reviews and beautiful decor and lighting, the service is pathetic and food only average. The staff all appear busy but they’re not, they’re so busy bustling around chatting and trying to make sense of their jobs that they are completely inattentive to seated patrons awaiting service. After asking 3 different passing staff for assistance to order and being dismissed, I watched a waitress take instruction from someone in the kitchen then came to the table reading off WhatsApp (huh 😭) to describe alternative options to something I ordered 5 minutes prior that she didn’t even understand herself lmao. For a place that is averaging 400-500k pp for an average dining experience in Bali this is quite silly. If I was the owner I would be low key embarrassed.

I understand that English is not a first language for local workers and that’s rarely a problem but when you run a venue presented completely as a western style restaurant and charging western prices then there is an expectation that the service keeps up, otherwise what are you doing? If this was a warung selling rendang on a banana leaf none of these problems would have existed and all would have been happy.

Only positive experience was the security / parking attendants out the front, super attentive, friendly and helpful.

0/10 experience inside. Given the other local options I’ll never return. Lusa next door is always great and ended up going...

Absolutely phenomenal lunch experience at Margaret Bistro in Canggu! From the moment we sat down, everything—from the service to the food—was top-notch.

We kicked things off with a spread of starters that completely exceeded expectations. The French fries with truffle mayo and parmesan were addictively good, crisp and indulgent. The beef tartare was a standout—perfectly seasoned with the anchovies and parmesan giving it a bold, umami kick. The tuna tartare with spicy sauce and nori was fresh and vibrant, and the salmon ceviche with guacamole was a light, zesty complement to the rest of the starters.

For mains, we shared a variety and loved every dish. The chicken soup with meatballs and orzo was cozy and comforting, full of flavor. The tagliatelle Carbonara was rich and silky, the truffle tagliatelle was decadent and aromatic, and the mie goreng chicken brought in that local twist with perfectly balanced spices.

Special mention to the wait staff—they were genuinely warm, attentive without being overbearing, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. They made us feel welcome from the start, and their recommendations were spot-on. It’s clear they care about the dining experience just as much as the kitchen does.

Overall, Margaret Bistro nails the fusion of high-quality ingredients, creative execution, and warm ambiance. Easily one of our favorite meals in...