Eastern suburbs snobs erupt over ‘disgraceful’ addition to bill at Australia’s best steakhouse. Now the Neil Perry-owned restaurant is firing back

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Margaret’s restaurant in Double Bay, Australia, is widely recognized as the nation’s top steakhouse and, as per recent global rankings, also holds the title of the second finest worldwide.

So when you step through its glass doors, you know you’re not in for a cheap meal.

Even though this hasn’t prevented some well-known establishments in the east from murmuring discreetly about having to pay for an additional service they believed would be free of charge.

Lately, there have been murmurs among financial circles and socialites that it costs around seven dollars for tap water at the establishment owned by Neil Perry.

Surely some mistake! we thought. But it’s more than just moans on the grapevine.

patrons have been expressing their dissatisfaction in online feedback about being charged $7 for a glass of water that they found ordinary, and a group of four were surprised and upset by an unexpected $28 fee added to their bill.

‘$7 for tap water and another $7 for a refill that’s a first,’ said a disgruntled patron.

We enjoyed our meal, but were disappointed when we found out we had to pay $28 for filtered water. ‘That’s not normal,’ remarked one diner indignantly, to which the waitress responded, ‘but it’s purified.’ This left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.

A patron mentioned that they thoroughly enjoyed their ‘wonderful meal,’ but regretted not reading some reviews ahead of time and inspecting the bill more closely regarding the expense of their bottled water at the table.

‘No one wants to be charged for tap water!’ they added.

In a different review, someone expressed discontentment by stating, ‘I was shocked to find a $7 charge for my bottled water, which I would refer to as tap water in an unsealed bottle. Frankly, I strongly dislike having to pay such a high price!’

It’s understandable if it seems like a luxury issue, but regardless of the restaurant’s pricing, we believe that water should always be included in the cost.

It seems our investigation revealed that the restaurant is correct, although some patrons might not grasp the nuance between ‘tap water’ and ‘table water’. In simpler terms, tap water refers to water from the main supply system, while table water implies bottled or filtered water served at the dining table.

The tap water is supplied directly from the main source, without any extra features. Generally, it’s a requirement by law to offer it free of charge if requested, even in upscale dining experiences. Fine-dining restaurants aren’t exempt from this rule.

In common usage, ‘bottled water’ often refers to either still water that has been bottled from a tap source after being purified and cooled, or it may be spring water that undergoes similar processing. Although it might seem simple, you are indeed paying for its premium quality and convenience.

On Tuesday, a representative from the restaurant clarified to Daily Mail that customers have always been served tap water without any additional charges, and we stand by that statement.

If diners request it, tap water is provided free of charge. However, if patrons prefer filtered still water or Nordaq sparkling, they will be charged $7 per person for an all-you-can-drink service.

This brouhaha comes after Margaret claimed a top spot on the global culinary map earlier this year.

In June 2021, a standout eatery in the eastern suburbs earned the title of Australia’s top steakhouse, as well as being ranked the second finest steak restaurant globally, according to The World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list for this year.

Last year, it finished in third position, implying that with a bit more progress, it might rise to the top as the best steakhouse around.

Each year, a specialized group of ‘meat evaluators’ assess various dining locations based on the excellence of their steaks, taking into account factors like marbling, cut selection, cooking technique, and overall flavor.

The score additionally considers the variety of wine choices (cuts), their origin (provenance), service quality, selection on the wine list, and the entire dining experience as a whole.

Perry decided to name the restaurant after his dear mother Margaret, as she was the source of inspiration for his ‘CARE’ philosophy – a commitment towards nurturing relationships with suppliers, contributing to the local community, fostering a strong team spirit, and preserving the environment.

Although seafood is a main attraction on the menu, it’s the renowned steak that has put this place on the global map.

Margaret isn’t just a local restaurant; it has grown to represent something greater.

‘At its core, it’s about comfort, generosity and cosiness.’ 

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2025-09-03 04:34