Dining

100+ Restaurants in Singapore That Do Not Serve Free Water

By Veron Ang

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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...

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About the Author

Veron Ang is the founder and chief editor of Sparklette. She lives in Singapore and has dined and traveled across the world. She also runs Sparklette Studio, a web design and WordPress development firm. If you'd like to connect with her, head on over to the contact page or follow her personal updates on Twitter: @VeronSG.

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473 responses

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char
July 14, 2009

today’s STimes just reported on our ‘home’ section that 50cents can give you 850 glasses of tap water or 1 bottle of mineral water. 850 glasses!

stingy restaurants must be boycotted.
Reply
anotherAngMoh
July 14, 2009

One question, as there are so many unanimous opinions here – is this information getting back to the the Tapas Trees, Forkettas, Mad Jack’s, etc.?

They really should know the vox populi. That is is some like the Forketta manager hasn’t been fired yet.

I’d be up for sending them this like, or letting the ST know to do a follow-up.
Reply
- anotherAngMoh
  July 14, 2009
  
  like=link
  Reply
James Lim
July 14, 2009

Royal Café in Siglap is affiliated with The Pie Factory but the sign board outside is just Royal Cafe. There is no mention of The Pie Factory anywhere.
Reply
- Veron
  July 15, 2009
  
  Got it. I have added Royal Café :)
  Reply
fran9ipani
July 14, 2009

Why does some restaurant so worried to let people know that they don’t serve free water? I fully support you to expose all these places, and since it is true that they charge for water, what’s there to sued about being on the list?
We should also start a list of places that overcharged and provide bad services.
from fran9ipani.
Reply
- Veron
  July 15, 2009
  
  That’s actually one of the things on my mind, to start a list of “craptastic” restaurants that are simply bad. But it may not be as clear-cut because there are many aspects to consider as to what constitutes a crappy restaurant… bad attitude, ridiculously priced food, poor service, etc.
  Reply
vincent
July 14, 2009

good job with the listing. i think it’s important to exercise our rights and its just greed that’s stopping the food outlets from serving tap water that really doesn’t cost them much

keep it up!!

:)
Reply
fran9ipani
July 14, 2009

There was a famous Indonesian restaurant in the east used to serve free water then one of the idiot business partner suggest to serve only bottle water and whether you like it or not, once you sit down everyone is serve with one bottle but without telling you they are chargeable, the portion is also getting really small and because most aunty worker is family member their service are really bad…
Reply
- Veron
  July 15, 2009
  
  That reminds me of what they do at many Chinese restaurants and oh, Bali Thai too. They serve you little plates of chips or peanuts automatically without letting you know they are chargeable. And those things cost a few dollars each.
  Reply
  - Kyo
    July 23, 2009
    
    I didn’t get any of those unwanted extra condiments at Bali Thai at Ion Orchard, yesterday. Which store gave you that?
    Reply
    - Veron
      July 23, 2009
      
      My friend and I visited the outlet at Tampines Mall some time late last year. The waitress automatically placed some unwanted stuff that we didn’t ask for on our table. I am not sure if there was the plate of peanuts, but for sure we got the basket of keropok that we were later charged $2 or $3 for.
      Reply
wasabi
July 14, 2009

when you are in japan, once you enter a restaurant the waiter will serve u a glass of water before taking your order. At the restaurant Marutama in Singapore, the whole jug of water is there, you can just help yourself with it.Off course the first glass they fill for you. Don’t know why Singapore restaurant can’t follow what the Jap are doing…
In Malaysia, you can always ask for a glass of sky juice which means water to them. They know the term SKY JUICE. Singaporean restaurant are tend to be stingy.
Like Bakerzin the one at Vivo, they can reduce the lightning at the restaurant because that branch is totally too bright which do not need to on so many lights in the daytime at all…moreover Singapore govt try to promote GAIA…. That bakerzin branch on so many lights, how to save $$$$. Use the money to give water better still. No one ask them to give the guests with filtered water. all lies…only think about profit. I will definitely boycott those restaurants
Reply
yennweii
July 14, 2009

Totally behind you regarding this list.

Was appalled by the arrogant comment by Ms Vitale of La Forketta in the Sunday Times. Her comment just accentuated her arrogance and ignorance. While I have to agree that the quality of food is good there, I am going to boycott that place. She obviously has not seen much of the world or read widely for the matter. UK has some law that requires restaurants to serve tap water when asked by customers. The French are extremely open to tap water as well. Never had any problems at the restaurants in Scandinavia too.

Totally appalled and disgusted by her comment. Will make an effort to boycott places which do not serve tap water. Excuses excuses excuses.
Reply
Melvin Chan
July 15, 2009

Was at White Coffee at east coast (big splash) on Tuesday (14/07/09). When I asked for water after my meal they said it costs $0.50 per cup! Way too expensive!!
Reply
Whhooha
July 15, 2009

Well done! Totall agree with you. Let’s boycott these restaurants. I for one will avoid them.
Reply
Yvonne Tan
July 15, 2009

Oosters at Suntec City does not serve water.
Reply
- Veron
  July 15, 2009
  
  I was there recently to have drinks, but didn’t realise they don’t serve free water. Added.
  Reply
  - Yvonne Tan
    July 16, 2009
    
    I was there beginning of this year and asked for water after my beers and food. They told me they don’t serve water. I replied, “That is very bad.” She didn’t know what to say. Obviously, I didn’t leave a tip.
    Reply
JP
July 19, 2009

Hi Veron
Another outlet to add to the list – Xing Hua Family Restaurant at Block 102, #01-274, Towner Road.
Just had dinner with family. The attendant was trying hard to push for bottled water but I refused. Asked for a cup of plain water and they conveniently added 20 cents to the bill for it, without telling me prior.
First and last time to this place for me.
Reply
- Veron
  July 20, 2009
  
  Added. Even if it’s a small amount, they should have let you know at that point in time that there is a charge.
  Reply
Stephen T
July 25, 2009

Ampang Niang Toufu at 225 East Coast Road

I just visited Ampang Niang Toufu at 225 East Coast Road with my parents and daughters. When my daughter asked for a few cubes of ice (she had a bottle of her own drink that she wanted to keep cold), a waitress looked at the owner of the restaurant, and upon some nonverbal cue, signalled to another waitress not to serve ice to my 9-year-old daughter.

All this was done in front of us.

When the owner of the restaurant came over, he told us that their policy was to disallow outside food and drinks, which we had no problem with (my daughter did not even imbibe a drop of her drink she brought in, since we told her that she was not supposed to bring drinks bought outside into the restaurant).

But he followed up with a comment that if we did not agree with his policy, we could choose not to visit his restaurant in future.

Can you imagine this kind of customer service orientation?
Reply
- Veron
  July 27, 2009
  
  I think I can empathise with how you felt. I was on the receiving end of this similar treatment at AJ’s Piri Piri Chicken. To their credit, they did serve iced water, but I was nursing a nasty cough at the time and requested for warm water instead. The waiter asked his manager/supervisor for permission to get me warm water. He shook his head no, fully aware that I was looking at him! It irked me at that time, but all was forgiven eventually when I received a surprise 25% discount off my bill.
  
  In hindsight what annoyed me wasn’t the fact that they didn’t serve warm water. It’s the way they acted when I asked for it. The manager/supervisor guy could have said no in a more subtle way. Instead he chose to do it with a total lack of regard for his customer.
  
  Added Ampang (whom I’m assuming has no service charge and I’ve indicated that accordingly).
  Reply
lynn
July 26, 2009

Al Dente Trattoria is not in the list? Does that mean they have changed their service policy and start serving H2O already? They used to only serve distilled and sparkling but not iced or warm water…
Reply
- Veron
  July 28, 2009
  
  Honey it just means that you are the first to mention them :) But I’m not sure about this actually. Looking at some reviews on HungryGoWhere, it seems they do serve water? They may have changed their policy. Can someone confirm, please?
  Reply
Helena
July 27, 2009

Hey Veron, I have one more place to add to your list! I recently discovered Tawandang Microbrewery in Dempsey Village. Great, fun place to bring a rowdy crowd for beer and Thai seafood, live band that gets really lively later in the evening! I’ve been recommending it to everyone. Went back last night and HORRORS!!! discovered that they charge $1.50 for “free-flow” of tap water!!! So now I have a huge dilemna, argh, cos I’m really craving the steamed seabass with cilantro-garlic sauce, and their beer, but to charge for water makes me MAD.
Reply
- Veron
  July 28, 2009
  
  I understand perfectly how you feel. A few of the listed restaurants are those that I used to frequent, but no longer ever since they stopped serving free water. For me personally, I find it hard to enjoy a meal even if the food is darn good, when there’s something else (poor service, no free water, etc) bothering me.
  
  Added Tawandang to the list.
  Reply
stan
August 3, 2009

Hi,

please add Tawandang Microbrewery (Dempsey hill)
to the list. This is a restaurant and pub 2 in 1. But when I go there for purely dinner, was informed that the mgmt now implenent a $1.50 charge for ice water (used to be free). And their canned soft drinks are going for $3.50 which is the cheapest drink you could buy there.

Thanks
Reply
- Veron
  August 3, 2009
  
  Someone else agrees with you! Tawandang is already on the list :) Thanks for sharing the details on their pricing. I wonder why the water has to cost $1.50.
  Reply
TL
August 8, 2009

I just came across another place. Sakae Sushi at West Coast Mall (formerly Ginza). We went to Sakae Sushi on a Saturday to try their shabu shabu buffet. We asked for iced water and they refused to serve us. Considering that water is the essence of life, this is very bad!
Reply
- Veron
  August 10, 2009
  
  I have not visited a Sakae Sushi restaurant for a long time. Do they still have those hot water dispensers at every table that you can use to make your own free green tea?
  Reply
auntie lucia
August 21, 2009

Hi Sparklette:

Just a suggestion. Mayb u want to consider removing the adjective “greedy” in front of “dining establishments”, because I think we shld leave it to the customers to judge. You are just providing information and I think that’s enough.

Let me add to yr list:

Nan Xiang at the basement of Square 2 (next to Novena Square) and
Uncle’s Kitchen (one of my fav eating places) at B1, Bugis Junction

They both charge 50 cents for water. Not that i wanted to drink water. Asked out of curiousity and also help you build yr list.

Have a great week-end!
Lucy
Reply
- Veron
  August 22, 2009
  
  Hi again!
  
  It’s always so great to hear from you! I really appreciate the many contributions you’ve made to this post. And, it’s so thoughtful of you to have asked about the restaurants’ water policy. Nowadays when I visit a restaurant, it has inevitably become a habit of mine to ask if they serve water, even if I’m ordering other drinks.
  
  Yes, I realise the word “greedy” isn’t very diplomatic. lol! I’ve always felt that it’s okay to provide both information and my personal opinion on my blog. In fact, my food reviews are built on that basis.
  
  That said, I know I have to draw the line somewhere. Now that the list has been publicised (sort of), it would be wise to be more sensitive and remove the words that people may find offensive. I have done so already. As always, thank you for your suggestion, Lucy :)
  Reply
  - auntie lucia
    September 1, 2009
    
    Hi Veron: If u are still continuing to add to yr list, then u might want to add Hot Tomato Express (basement, Plaza Singapura). It doesn’t serve free water. However, it serves very decent size meals at reasonable prices –eg grilled salmon set with fresh mango salsa for $9.90 (add $1.50 for good soup, one piece of garlic bread and gd coffee). Its wine by the glass is also decently priced at $6.50; also, wine is decent.
    
    Btw, since u r very open to — and gracious abt — suggestions, may I ask you to consider reversing the order of yr comments, so that the latest appears 1st?
    
    Easier for those who follow a topic with hundreds of comments, like the list of no-free-water eateries!
    
    Cheers n keep u yr great blog!
    Reply
    - Veron
      September 7, 2009
      
      Hi babe, I missed your comment! Nonetheless I finally saw it and have updated my post. Thanks again!
      
      Anyways, I hear you and understand that the way the comments currently appear aren’t too friendly to navigate. Initially I actually arranged them newest-to-oldest, but that way when new readers come to read this post, it would be more difficult for them to read the comments from the first to the last.
      
      A solution would be to have a “Page 1, Page 2, Page 3…” kind of format so that people can immediately skip to the last page. I’m working on that currently :)
      
      Meanwhile, have you subscribed to the comments of this post? That is one way you can be updated of new comments.
      
      As always, thanks for your feedback!
      Reply
      - auntie lucia
        September 14, 2009
        
        Hi Veron:
        
        I’m so happy u found my latest comment and that u’ve responded positively to making the comment thread more easy to follow… pagination is a definite improvement.
        
        Yes, I’ve subscribed to the comments right from the start…but occasionally wants to interject further. That’s when I last had a problem… but no more, now that u’ve paginated!
        
        All best!
        AL
        Reply
    - Veron
      September 9, 2009
      
      Okay! I have FINALLY found the way to paginate the comments pages. Browsing them should be a lot easier now. Thanks!
      Reply
Kyo
September 8, 2009

I think you may have to flip the comments system the other way around or else replies will get lost (I had to find this page through a lengthy hit-or-miss method by guessing the page number through the web address…) :)
Reply
- Veron
  September 9, 2009
  
  All the comments are arranged with the newest at the bottom and subsequent pages, so that people can follow the conversation from oldest to newest. I know it was tough to jump to the newest page previously. So now I have separated them into different numbered pages. Should be easier to view now :)
  Reply
  - Kyo
    September 9, 2009
    
    Great – it works fine now. For some reason, page 8 is selectable but there’s nothing on it… funny glitch?
    Reply
    - Veron
      September 9, 2009
      
      Hehe you’re right! I have fixed it now.
      Reply
Annette
September 9, 2009

That is so crazy! Ms.Vitale’s comment made me laugh really hard! Here in the US everyone asks for tap water even in the fanciest restaurants. Restaurants should provide tap water they’re already charging you for the food and the atmosphere. I’m pretty sure they can afford to give away a few glasses of water.
Reply
- Veron
  September 9, 2009
  
  Great! Thanks for sharing the perspective from another country!
  Reply