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100+ Restaurants in Singapore That Do Not Serve Free Water

For a long while we have noticed an annoying trend in many restaurants. An increasing number have a no-water policy: They do not serve free water to diners even when requested. Instead, we have to buy their bottled water. Not only is the bottled water overpriced, the bottles are eco-unfriendly as well. We find this practice highly unacceptable.

Therefore, we are compiling a list of restaurants that refuse to serve free water. If you have come across any, please let us know in the comments and it would be added to the list.

Please do not submit hawker stalls, coffee shops, fast food restaurants, food kiosks/carts. Please also state the outlet location and indicate if there is no service charge.

Ajisen Classic Ramen (Changi Airport T3) – reader’s contribution
Alley Bar (Orchard Road) – reader’s contribution on Facebook
Aloy Thai (Shaw Tower) – reader’s contribution
Arteastiq (Mandarin Gallery) – reader’s contribution
Astons Specialties (all outlets) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
Bali Thai (Novena Square & Tampines Mall) – personal experience & reader’s contribution
Bao Luo Wan Xiang (Plaza Singapura) – reader’s contribution
Bar Bar Black Sheep (Robertson Quay) (no service charge) – reader’s contribution
Barcelos (VivoCity) (no service charge) – reader’s contribution
BBQ Chicken (Cathay Cineleisure Orchard) – reader’s contribution
Bliss Waterfront Dining & Bar (Punggol Park) – reader’s contribution
Blu (Shangri-La Hotel) – reader’s contribution
Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice (Bukit Timah) – personal experience
Our review
Café Le Caire (Arab Street) – reader’s contribution
Restaurant’s response in news article
Canopy Cafe (Marina Bay Golf Course) – reader’s contribution
Canton-i (Ion Orchard) – reader’s contribution
The Cathay Restaurant (The Cathay) – reader’s contribution
Casa do Churrasco Brazil (Katong Village) – source
Central Restaurant (all outlets) – reader’s contribution
Check In (Robertson Quay) – reader’s contribution
Chen Fu Ji Grains (The Central) – reader’s contribution
Coffee Club (Orchard Fountain Corner) – reader’s contribution
Creative Organics (Fortune Centre) – reader’s contribution
Crystal Jade Hong Kong Café (Orchard Central & Liang Seah Street) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
Crystal Jade Kitchen (Causeway Point, Ngee Ann City & Suntec City Mall) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2 | 3
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao (Bugis Junction, Great World City, Holland Avenue, Ngee Ann City & Suntec City Mall) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Our reviews 1 | 2
Diandin Leluk Thai Restaurant (Serangoon Garden) – reader’s contribution
Different Taste Café and Restaurant (Frankel Avenue & Jalan Mas Puteh) (no service charge) – sources 1 | 2
Ebisboshi Shotengai (Iluma) – reader’s contribution
Esmirada (Chijmes) – reader’s contribution
First Thai Food (Purvis Street) – reader’s contribution
Five Izakaya Bar (Hitachi Tower) – reader’s contribution
Fou de Fafa (Capital Tower) – reader’s contribution
Fiesta Brasilia (United Square) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
Gelare Café (Hougang Mall) – reader’s contribution
Giraffe Restaurant and Bar (Istana Park) – reader’s contribution
Our review
Haato (Ridgewood Close) – reader’s contribution
Heaven’s Loft (Orchard Central) – reader’s contribution
The Highlander Bar & Restaurant (Clarke Quay) – reader’s contribution
Hong Kong Kim Gary Restaurant (VivoCity) – reader’s contribution
Our review
Hot Tomato Express (Plaza Singapura) – reader’s contribution
Hotpot Culture (Marina Square) – reader’s contribution
Huber’s Butchery & Bistro (Dempsey Hill) – reader’s contribution
Imperial Herbal Restaurant & Tcafe (VivoCity) – reader’s contribution
Insomnia (Chijmes) – reader’s contribution
Introbar (Swissotel The Stamford) – reader’s contribution
Jalapeno’s Pepper (Singapore Flyer) – sources 1 | 2 | 3
Joaquim Buffet Restaurant (Suntec City Mall) – reader’s contribution
Kartini Restaurant (Parkway Parade) – reader’s contribution
Kebab Station (East Coast Park & Parkway Parade) (no service charge) – personal experience
Our review
Kenny Rogers Roasters (Great World City, Marina Square & Suntec City Mall) – reader’s contributions 1 | 2
Kim Choo Kueh Chang (East Coast) (no service charge) – sources 1 | 2 | 3
Kintamani Indonesian Restaurant (Furama Riverfront Hotel) – personal experience
La Forketta (Dempsey) – sources 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Restaurant’s response in news article & here
Lai Lai Casual Dining (Jurong Point) – reader’s contribution
Lao Beijing (Novena Square) – reader’s contribution
Le Baroque (Chijmes) – reader’s contribution
Lerk Thai (Singapore Expo & Woodlands Civic Centre) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
Little Bali (Gillman’s Village) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
Restaurant’s response
Liquid Kitchen (all outlets) – reader’s contribution
Lush Cafe (313 @ Somerset) – reader’s contribution
Mad Jack Café (all outlets) (no service charge) – personal experience
Restaurant’s response in news article
Midsummer Nite Breeze (Pasir Ris Park) – sources 1 | 2
Mimolette Restaurant & Bar (Fairways Drive) – reader’s contribution
Ming Kee Live Seafood (Macpherson Road) – reader’s contribution
MOF (Ministry of Food) (Suntec City Mall & West Coast Plaza) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
The Mussel Guys (VivoCity) – personal experience
Our review
My Mum’s Cuisine (Paragon) – reader’s contribution
Nan Xiang (Novena Square 2) – reader’s contribution
Nando’s (Bugis Junction & Tanglin Mall) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
Nectarie le’Dessert Patisserie (Clarke Quay) – sources 1 | 2
New Harbour Café & Bar (Tanjong Pagar) – reader’s contribution
No Signboard Seafood Restaurant (all outlets) – reader’s contribution
Novus (National Museum) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
OK Shabu Shabu (East Coast Road) – reader’s contribution
Old Hong Kong Kitchen (Square 2) – reader’s contribution
Old Town White Coffee (all outlets) – personal experience & readers’ contributions 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Our review
Oosters Belgian Brasserie (Suntec City Mall) – reader’s contribution
Pacific Allied Cafe (URA Centre) – reader’s contribution
Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant (One Fullerton) – reader’s contribution
Pasta Fresca Da Salvatore (Siglap) – reader’s contribution
Pasta Stylo (City Square Mall) – personal experience
Our review
Pizza Bar da Donato (Ghim Moh) – reader’s contribution
Pizza da Donato (Sixth Avenue) – reader’s contribution
Prince Taiwan Porridge (Upper Bukit Timah) – reader’s contribution
Pu Tien (Tampines Mall) – reader’s contribution
The Pump Room (Clarke Quay) – reader’s contribution
Ramen Ten (all outlets) – reader’s contribution
Red Lacquer Authentic Penang Peranakan (Jurong Point) – personal experience
Renaldo’s (Eastwood Centre) – reader’s contribution
Renn Thai (Clarke Quay) – reader’s contribution
Royal Café (Siglap) – reader’s contribution
Secret Recipe (all outlets) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2 | 3
Seoul Garden (all outlets) – reader’s contribution
The Shack (Sentosa’s Tanjong Beach) – reader’s contribution
Skinny Pizza (Suntec City Mall) – reader’s contribution
Soup Spoon (all outlets) (no service charge) – reader’s contribution
Suanthai (Killiney Road) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
Sweet Spring (AMK Hub) – reader’s contribution
Table 108 (Chijmes) – reader’s contribution
The Tapas Tree (Clarke Quay) – personal experience & source
Restaurant’s response in news article
Tawandang Micro Brewery (Dempsey Road) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
Tori-Tama (Robertson Walk) – reader’s contribution
Uncle’s Kitchen (Bugis Junction) – reader’s contribution
Va Va Voom (Seah Street) – sources 1 | 2
Wan Chai Hong Kong Tea Room (Sembawang Shopping Centre) – reader’s contribution
Ximending (VivoCity) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2
Xin Wang Hong Kong Café (all outlets) – readers’ contributions 1 | 2 | 3
Our review
Xing Hua Family Restaurant (Towner Road) – reader’s contribution

Disclaimer: This list is compiled based on reader contributions and our own dining experiences. All comments and sources are linked for your reference. While we have taken steps to ensure the information presented is current, you may still wish to double-check with the restaurants if they have updated their no-water policy. If you notice any discrepancy, please let us know and we would gladly make the amendments.

To restaurateurs that do not serve free water: Wouldn’t you want your customers to keep coming back? If giving them water, even tap is fine, would improve their dining experience, why wouldn’t you do it? Isn’t that better than pissing off potential customers that would never return? Just how much is a glass of tap water gonna cost you anyway?

Let us exercise our right as a customer and not give in to such practices that exist only to milk more money out of us. Should you encounter such a restaurant, feel free to

Walk out of the restaurant.
Blacklist and stop patronising the place.
Tell your friends about it.
Leave a comment here and we would add it to the list.

Hopefully in some small way, it would prompt restaurateurs to stop this penny-wise, pound-foolish practice.

Spread the word!

In the press

July 12, 2009

The Sunday Times has published an article based on this list. We have made it available here for your reading (in PDF format):

Much of the article has been written from the perspective of these restaurants, along with several comments from the stakeholders. We would love to hear your views.

We do like the quote by Mr. Aun Koh that sums up this no-water policy perfectly:

Mr Aun Koh, director of media and lifestyle consultancy Ate Media which published Asia’s first restaurant guide The Miele Guide, said: ‘In Singapore, there is no excuse other than snobbish vanity to drink bottled water and no reason other than an attempt to increase revenues for restaurateurs to refuse to offer tap water to their patrons.’

Read this article

July 14, 2009

Following the Sunday Times article, waves of comments came pouring in, starting with this one. If you are following the highly active discussion, that would be a good place to start.

In response to the article, Sunday Times reader Mr. Cassell R. Meyers has written in to the forum to share his own personal views and experience.

Read this forum letter

August 13, 2009

The Today newspaper published an article on the harmful impact of bottled water, primarily from the discarding of plastic bottles. Here’s a quote from the article:

Dr Seetharam Kallidaikurichi, director of the Institute of Water Policy at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said: ‘the public should be made aware of the “unnecessary” buying of bottled water for drinking, especially in places where tap water is safe to drink, such as in houses and restaurants. This is because such a practice can turn into a habit and this will lead to even more plastic bottles being used — and discarded.’

Read this article

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About the Editor

Veron Ang is the Founder and Chief Editor of Sparklette, a Singapore restaurants guide, lifestyle and travel blog. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and runs a web design firm at Sparklette Studio. To get in touch, head on over to the contact page or follow @Sparklette and @VeronSG on Twitter.

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Responses Leave a comment

jia
1 comment

xin wang hong kong cafe (Marina Square) 20cents charge for warm water, 40cents charge for ice water. :( whats the point
Reply
Posted June 16, 2009 at 1:26 pm
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  I frequent Xin Wang at Marina Square. But each time I would order the yuan yang, so I never noticed that they don’t serve free water. This is going into the list :(
  Reply
  Posted June 16, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Mark
1 comment

penny wise, pound foolish. glad to finally meet someone in singapore who knows that such a concept exists!
on another matter. i recall there was some law in the uk that forced restaurants to give water free of charge if a customer asked for it. that was a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away though.
Reply
Posted June 16, 2009 at 2:05 pm
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  That’s not a bad idea actually. Fine these greedy restaurants! Singapore is already known as a fine city anyway. The government might as well put this to good use.
  Reply
  Posted June 16, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Jacelyn
4 comments

Great list!
Bakerzin @ Tampines 1 do serve free water :) I second Xin Wang HK Cafe (Marina Sq) too! Can’t remember the rest. I’ve encountered lots! Will contribute if I managed to recall :)
Reply
Posted June 16, 2009 at 2:33 pm
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  I have visited the Bakerzin outlets at VivoCity and Paragon, both of which didn’t serve free water. It would be great if they have changed their policy, starting with the new outlet at Tampines One! Can someone verify if this applies for all outlets or just Tampines One?
  Reply
  Posted June 16, 2009 at 9:25 pm
  - audreytang
    2 comments
    
    I’m with you – it annoys me to no end when a restaurant doesn’t serve water. I mean, come on – worse case scenario, just turn on the freakin tap.
    Bakerzin at Raffles City and UE Square serves water though, I was just there a few weeks ago.
    Another place with good Thai food that doesn’t serve water – First Thai on Purvis Street.
    Reply
    Posted June 16, 2009 at 9:31 pm
    - Veron
      3438 comments
      
      Thanks for clarifying on Bakerzin! To be safe, I have indicated the specific outlets instead.
      Added First Thai Food!
      Reply
      Posted June 16, 2009 at 9:38 pm
proud mom to maximus
29 comments

its quite annoying. we paid almost $100 plus for a few bowls of ramen n plates of sushi but the service sucks..not only abt not serving us ice water, but there is no small bowls for the dips and plates for the kids to enjoy their sushi…crap…its ramen ten, where else…thank god u highlighted it here!
btw can we have more stories abt Snowy?
Reply
Posted June 16, 2009 at 4:30 pm
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  Thanks for sharing your experience!
  No worries, Snowy would be back soon!
  Reply
  Posted June 16, 2009 at 9:27 pm
ryn
4 comments

Yes! I fully agree with you…not serving water while charging high food prices and service charge is just money grubbing. Here’s one more for your list…Beary Cafe at Republic Plaza
Reply
Posted June 16, 2009 at 5:48 pm
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  Good one! If not for your comment, I would be keen to check out a place with a cute name like that.
  Added!
  Reply
  Posted June 16, 2009 at 9:28 pm
- wahzai
  1 comment
  
  beary cafe no service charge. is self svc plain water
  Reply
  Posted September 25, 2011 at 5:41 am
Jasmine
23 comments

To add to Jia’s comment, all Xin Wang Cafes (Hong Kong and Taiwan) don’t serve water. You’ll have to pay or get some drink to not feel thirsty. *frowns*
Reply
Posted June 16, 2009 at 6:19 pm
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  Xin Wang has been added to the list. Sadly it also happens to be a favourite café of mine (love the curry chicken) :(
  Reply
  Posted June 16, 2009 at 9:30 pm
  - ambber
    1 comment
    
    I agree. I like the curry too, but i will not be going back very often anymore… Luckily I discovered the no water policy just before I was going to sign up for their membership card.
    I don’t mind so much not being served drinks if I don’t have to pay the service charge. And it’s not that I mind paying 40 cents for a glass of water. It’s the whole principle behind the restaurant’s policy. It’s so wrong!
    It’s not that they mind so much giving you a cup of water. It’s the opportunity cost that it presents to these restaurants. Satisfied with your free water, you wouldn’t be paying for a metal-cupful of yuan yang now would you? See the greed behind it?
    Here’s another for your list. Renaldo’s Apple Strudel. I went in once for a pie and ordered an ice chocolate. But I had to take a pill, so I requested for a cup of water to wash it down. Had to pay 30 cents for it. DESPITE having ordered another drink to go with my meal!
    Reply
    Posted August 17, 2009 at 7:15 pm
    - Veron
      3438 comments
      
      Exactly! It’s the PRINCIPLE. Nothing to do with the fact as to whether we can/cannot afford to BUY the damn tap water. Restaurateurs that immediately assume people that complain are “budget-conscious” are simply too thick to fathom the logic.
      Added Renaldo’s! It’s the Eastwood Centre outlet, right? I notice they have opened a few more outlets, too.
      Reply
      Posted August 18, 2009 at 12:13 am
The Cooking Ninja
2 comments

Restaurants who don’t serve tap water are stupid. Force your regular customers to buy bottled water for a few cents of profit is not worth it. They forget that Singapore consumers aren’t Europeans or living in countries where tap water is not safe to drink. If my favourite restaurant does this, I won’t patronize their restaurant again. Here in France, tap water is free by law.
Reply
Posted June 16, 2009 at 8:11 pm
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  That’s the spirit!
  And yes, it should be made mandatory that restaurants serve free water, especially if they are levying service charges.
  Reply
  Posted June 16, 2009 at 9:31 pm
jh
1 comment

hi,
are you sure about Petite Cuisine at Serene Centre? I can’t remember exactly, but I think there’s self-service plain water
Reply
Posted June 16, 2009 at 9:17 pm
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  I don’t know if they still have it. That’s why I need your valuable comments to keep this list updated. Would someone verify please?
  Reply
  Posted June 16, 2009 at 9:37 pm
  - Daniel
    6 comments
    
    Yes La Petite Cuisine serves free water, but it is self-service.
    Reply
    Posted January 23, 2010 at 3:19 pm
ice
1 comment

I think all Bakerzin outlets have since changed their policy & started serving water.
Reply
Posted June 16, 2009 at 10:28 pm
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  That’s great news! Bakerzin’s one of my favourite cafés :)
  Reply
  Posted June 16, 2009 at 11:16 pm
rachel
10 comments

Wht abt Astons! they charge 30Cents for plain water )):
I nvr realise bakerzin doesnt serve water! I just went to the one at suntec, and they have free flow of water! paragon too!!
Reply
Posted June 16, 2009 at 11:14 pm
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  Looks like Bakerzin really have changed their policy! I shall remove them from the list.
  Are you referring to Astons Express (in coffee shops) or Astons Specialties (in shopping malls)?
  Reply
  Posted June 16, 2009 at 11:18 pm
  - rachel
    10 comments
    
    Specialties! Im sure on this, because i frequent the one at The Cathay!!
    My friend always say restaurants who dont serve free flow of plain water is rly smart, cuz alot of expenses come from the water utilities bill or something )): But i am happy tht bakerzins start to serve water! Plus the 50% off NY CHeese Cake! YAY!
    Reply
    Posted June 16, 2009 at 11:20 pm
    - Veron
      3438 comments
      
      Really? I find it hard to believe that water drank by humans can amount to any significant costs!
      Added Astons Specialties!
      Reply
      Posted June 16, 2009 at 11:26 pm
      - rachel
        10 comments
        
        Yeah, oh btw i love all yoru lists! Esp the one in 2006 – Best&Worst Restaurants of the year. Really good reviews/list (: How do you get to Graze!
        Reply
        Posted June 16, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Bor
1 comment

Nice article! I like that someone bitches about these things, while most ppl don’t rly care that much. It’s absolutely ridiculous that one has to pay for water, or that one cannot get tap water for that matter. It’s not as if there’s a shortage on water in the world… (third world countries are an exception ofc)
Good job!
Greets from the Netherlands.
Bor.
Reply
Posted June 17, 2009 at 12:16 am
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  From the strong sentiments expressed in some of the comments here, people do seem to care a whole lot!
  I wonder how are things like in the Netherlands?
  Reply
  Posted June 17, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Shane
1 comment

From what i remember, many places in the US also make it mandatory to serve water where alcohol is served. In restaurants, it’s just good practice to serve even if you don’t serve alcohol to the customer. I think this is great cos it covers all the bases.
On a more relevant note, what about “conditional” water service? I went to coffee club at clarke quay and asked for water and the waiter said “we only serve water with food orders.” I had to argue till i was blue in the face that the dessert i ordered was “food” before i got served free water.
Reply
Posted June 17, 2009 at 1:52 am
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  That’s just poor service. People should be served water irregardless of what they order. At tcc (my favourite coffee chain by the way) where most people go for just coffee, the waiters or waitresses would always ask if you want warm or cold water.
  Reply
  Posted June 17, 2009 at 1:19 pm
  - lala
    3 comments
    
    Which TCC are you talking about? The one in Orchard does not serve iced water. Gotta buy Evian. Anyways, I am actually against people who order for tap water, simply because I think there is no such thing as a “free” thing when you’re going to a restaurant to enjoy a good meal. Besides, even if you go to a food court, you have to get a bottle of water too. Why would a restaurant be any different?
    I love your website, truly I do. However, I think people should just pay for whatever they want, service charge or not. If they can’t, they are free to not patronise the place again instead of making such a big hooha about it.
    Reply
    Posted July 20, 2009 at 4:14 am
    - Veron
      3438 comments
      
      I went to the tcc boutiques at the following locations and they all served free water, both warm and cold:
      Bugis Junction
      Plaza Singapura Atrium
      Great World City
      Funan
      Peranakan Place
      Circular Road
      Clarke Quay
      Everyone is entitled to his and her own opinion. In fact, it makes the world a more interesting place! In that sense, whether you choose to continue patronising the places, that’s your own prerogative. However I believe I am free to share information on my website because, hey, this is still MY website after all! :)
      Reply
      Posted July 20, 2009 at 1:00 pm
    - Melissa
      133 comments
      
      I have never been to a TCC that does not serve iced water. That includes the one in Orchard. Do you pay food court prices in restaurants? That’s one difference. Do you pay service charges? That’s another difference.
      Since you claimed that you love her website, respect the fact that she is free to write her opinion here. Some of us come here to read this stuff because we find it useful. She writes food reviews and “makes such a big hooha” about how good the restaurants are all the time, do you complain? Or are you whining now because she has a differing opinion from yours this time round?
      Reply
      Posted July 20, 2009 at 11:22 pm
    - Mohd HIsham
      6 comments
      
      I’m a TCC (The Coffee Connoisseur, not The Coffee Club) member, and you can say I’m a loyalist who have visited each and every one of their boutique outlets; and for each visit, I never had to ask for water.
      They would ask if I want warm or chilled plain water; while I look through the menu.
      @Veron: There are one or two occasions where I was displeased with the service standards or the menu changes; the email address given is really monitored and every email is replied promptly. That is good service and good follow-up I feel.
      Thanks for putting up this list.
      cheers,
      @mhisham
      Reply
      Posted September 9, 2009 at 5:58 am
      - Veron
        3438 comments
        
        Happy to know that someone else understands what I see in tcc! My, you are a far bigger fan than I am!
        I have corresponded with their marketing department before, and it’s always impressive to see how quickly they respond. So I fully agree with you that they really do monitor their email. Not many f&b establishments are able to do the same thing. One other with equally speedy responses that I can think of is Marché.
        Have you also noticed that they send out mailers to highlight their newest menu items and happenings? The mailers are always so well designed!
        Reply
        Posted September 9, 2009 at 7:48 pm
      - grayvin
        1 comment
        
        Good afternoon,
        I am a student from Singapore Polythecnic. I am doing a project in Service Marketing module. I need some input for my input on how TCC(The-Coffee-Connoisseur) is employing great diplomacy and tact in dealing with abusive customers such as the thief, rule breaker,belligerent, family feuders, vandal and dedbeat.
        I would like to know whether did you came across with an exprience that how TCC handling the abusive customer?
        Thank you very much.
        Reply
        Posted January 16, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Elliott
1 comment

In Arizona (USA) a business is required by law to provide water to any who ask. The perks of living in the middle of a desert, courtesy become ley.
Reply
Posted June 17, 2009 at 8:36 am
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  Exactly! Singapore is hot all year round, so all the more that restaurants should serve free water by default.
  Reply
  Posted June 17, 2009 at 1:20 pm
wendy
8 comments

can someone with some clout get straits times or sunday times to do a story on this.?
Reply
Posted June 17, 2009 at 8:39 am
Leon
5 comments

Alp’s Cafe on Prinsep Street
The Pump Room (Clarke Quay)
I also never return to locations with no water. I am frustrated when they charge 30 cents for tap water too. To me this is just poor customer service and I never return.
–Leon
Reply
Posted June 17, 2009 at 10:25 am
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  Added Alps Café!
  Reply
  Posted June 17, 2009 at 1:21 pm
  - ah meng
    1 comment
    
    Hi Veron, just curious…upon recieving comments about places tht dont serve ice water; did you personally investigate it yourself? I hope you enquire with the restaurant manager/owner yourself rather than adding them blindly maybe?
    Its wierd because i frequent to Alps cafe n was not refused a glass of water let alone charge me for it. Can you look into it please?
    ps: lets be fair to the good ones though there are places tht i agree with you on the list above…..:)
    Reply
    Posted July 22, 2009 at 1:17 am
    - Mouse
      4 comments
      
      All the additions to the list are clearly marked as reader’s contributions. If there are contradictions, I’m sure that Veron takes time to revise the list. This is clearly presented as a community exercise – both implicitly: it’s a blog format and is by definition collaborative, and explicitly: the list is clearly presented as the product of community reports. Given this situation, one should not judge this blog by the standards of a newspaper, which is produced and presented within a wholly different context. I’m not saying that due care and attention should not be paid to getting the facts straight, I’m just saying that in the context of a blog, the means by which this is achieved is self-correction by the community. While there will be errors, these in time will be corrected. If the list in this blog had to be held up to the standards of a newspaper, it wouldn’t exist at all as I doubt Veron has the time to contact all the restaurateurs individually (and I’m sure many wouldn’t even bother to respond to her).
      Reply
      Posted July 22, 2009 at 11:54 am
      - auntielucia
        24 comments
        
        Aiyah, Ah Meng, Veron already has a disclaimer, mah!
        Reply
        Posted July 22, 2009 at 7:01 pm
- comments72
  1 comment
  
  I am a regular at Alps Cafe and I think you had got it all wrong Leon. Alps Cafe have never ever charged customer $0.30 for a glass of tap water. In fact they do offer water when customers requested for it. They just do not serve water upfront like some restaurants do.
  Reply
  Posted July 23, 2009 at 8:15 am
  - Veron
    3438 comments
    
    Got it. Happy to remove it from the list :)
    Reply
    Posted July 23, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Howard
1 comment

I can’t stand places that don’t serve free water. I especially hate it when they try to make up an excuse like, “It’s for sanitary reasons we can’t provide free water.” I’ll take my chances!
I’m opening a new restaurant, so I can see it from the proprietor’s point-of-view. Charging for water adds up to an additional few thousand dollars of income each year. Up to the owner whether that profit is worth alienating a segment of customers over.
I’ll never charge for water! (Well, unless someone specifically orders bottled water…)
Reply
Posted June 17, 2009 at 11:22 am
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  Good for you Howard! Finally we get a restaurateur here that knows what customers want.
  Reply
  Posted June 17, 2009 at 1:23 pm
- Daniel
  6 comments
  
  That’s why I go to Standing Sushi Bar. =)
  Reply
  Posted January 23, 2010 at 3:25 pm
psily
6 comments

MOF.
I’m not sure about the one at suntec.. but the one at west coast plaza doesn’t not.
Reply
Posted June 17, 2009 at 11:25 am
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  Added MOF to the list. Thank you.
  Reply
  Posted June 17, 2009 at 1:24 pm
  - Tryx
    1 comment
    
    MOF suntec as well. Pity, they used to serve free water, but stopped after the H1N1 incident. As if H1N1 is spread by drinking water…
    Reply
    Posted July 14, 2009 at 11:47 am
    - Veron
      3438 comments
      
      They really can find excuses!
      Reply
      Posted July 15, 2009 at 12:47 am
      - joan
        2 comments
        
        Lena’s (by MOF also) charges for water. 50cents for a refillable (smallish) glass.
        Reply
        Posted December 9, 2009 at 12:02 pm
        
        Edward Storm
        1 comment
        
        Just fyi, LENAS is serving FREE iced water now =)
        Reply
        Posted August 19, 2010 at 4:43 pm
        
        Veron
        3438 comments
        
        Thanks, Lenas has been removed.
        Reply
        Posted August 19, 2010 at 5:52 pm
gitbuddy
1 comment

Every Bakerz Inn I’ve ever visited. They have lost my business.
Also, Highlander pub at Clarker Quay. Twats. Not going there again.
Reply
Posted June 17, 2009 at 12:14 pm
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  I know how you feel about Bakerzin (Baker’s Inn). I was forced to order Evian there many times. But from some of the comments posted, they seem to have changed their policy and do serve free water these days.
  Added Highlander.
  Reply
  Posted June 17, 2009 at 1:26 pm
dotty
3 comments

Gelare, at least the one at Hougang Mall does not serve free water either.
I was aware of this, but I really wanted a waffle. So I decided to buy a bottle of water and asked the waitress for one.
“Can I have a bottle of water please?”
“I’m sorry but we don’t serve water.”
“I understand. Can I have a bottle of water please?”
“I’m sorry but we don’t serve water for free.”
“Yes, I know. Can I have a bottle of water please?”
“We do not serve free water.”
“But you sell bottles of water, yes?”
“Oh!”
*facepalm
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Posted June 17, 2009 at 1:17 pm
- Veron
  3438 comments
  
  Haha that’s funny! Goes to show that the staff are accustomed to hearing (and rejecting) customers’ requests for water.
  Added Gelare Café!
  Reply
  Posted June 17, 2009 at 1:29 pm
noobcook
2 comments

great list! I dun support such eateries too; I wun go back again if I encounter such a thing.
Reply
Posted June 17, 2009 at 2:49 pm