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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Mohd Hisham
December 9, 2009

Crystal Jade Hong Kong Cafe @ Orchard Central charges 50 cents for iced water :)
Reply
LISA KERSHAW
December 10, 2009

YO SUSHI- NO FREE WATER
Reply
- Veron
  December 12, 2009
  
  Is this in Singapore?
  Reply
Daphne Maia
December 20, 2009

HEY. i went to a chillout bar last night at Robertson Quay and was horrified to know that they didnt want to serve iced water.

we had ordered $140 worth of drinks by then, but they still refused to.

The name of the place is CheckIn. checkin.com.sg
Reply
- Veron
  December 20, 2009
  
  Way to keep customers from returning. Added!
  Reply
Rachel
December 21, 2009

If it’s Pasta Fresca Da Salvatore that “Pasta Fresca” refers to, the branch at Changi Airport no longer operates. Its space was taken over by Xin Wang, if I remember right.

When I was at the Cuppage Terrace branch a few months back, I was served water without having to request for it. :)
Reply
- Veron
  December 21, 2009
  
  Thanks, I have updated the list. The reader that contributed Pasta Fresca Da Salvatore made references to the branches at Changi Airport and Siglap.
  Reply
Daphne Maia
December 23, 2009

sad that i’m coming here every few days to report a restaurant that doesn’t serve free drinking / tap water, but here’s another one for your list (a very new resto, too!)

Trattoria Cucina Italiana – 313 @ Somerset

I asked for a glass of iced water after my other friends had already ordered drinks. The waiter informed me that they do not serve iced water. However, to be fair, they did sell Ice Mountain bottled water, at $1 per 500ml bottle, which wasn’t so bad as 50 cents or a dollar for a glass of tap water or something. Still, what shame, cos their food wasn’t bad at all. Yet, it’s got to go on to my list of no-no restaurants from now.
Reply
- Veron
  December 23, 2009
  
  $1 for a bottle of mineral water does sound like the market rate. But well, they really should be serving free (tap) water in the first place. Added.
  Reply
- Veron
  March 19, 2010
  
  Good news, Daphne! Su posted that the restaurant serves iced water now.
  Reply
Daniel Liston
December 31, 2009

The following two places do not serve free tap water and force customers to buy bottled water:

Magic Wok
(Crossings Factory Mall # 10
Tannersville, PA 18372
Phone: (570) 620-9321)

Hot Rod’s Hot Dogs
(2113 State Route 31
Glen Gardner, NJ 08826
Phone: (908) 537-7022)

Thank you for making the list.
Reply
James
December 31, 2009

Canton-i at Ion Orchard charges S$1.00 per person for water.
Reply
James
December 31, 2009

Crystal Jade La Mian Xia Long Bao at Bugis Junction Basement 1 charges S$0.30 per person for water.
Reply
apotia
January 10, 2010

Suanthai on Killiney Road:

Bottled water only.

Not only do they not serve tap water, but they also automatically include a 30 cent charge for moist towels that are placed on your table without your consent whether you use them or not
Reply
John
January 11, 2010

As at 7 January 2010, Cathay Restaurant at Cathay building wanted to charge for tap water.

I say boycott all establishments that practice this ridiculous policy! Thanks for maintaining this list.
Reply
james khoo
January 11, 2010

suanthai at 101 killiney road does not serve water. Please add it to your list.
Reply
Les Starr
January 14, 2010

Fou de Fa Fa
168 Robinson Road
#01-05 Capital Tower
Tel: +65 6327 9418

Walked into one of my favorite sandwich shop only to find that it started charging $0.50 for ice tap-water, i canceled my orders and politely walked away. I hope they stop charging for tap water because I enjoy their food.
Reply
freaking irritated
January 23, 2010

i got really irritated tonight when a staff of coffee club (the one outside orchard building) made a big fuss about giving my friend a glass of warm water for his medication. She said that she would have to check with her manager whether or not this was possible before she could give him that freaking glass of water (when she already told me that that was the only instance that they would)… like it was such a big deal… goodness, it’s not like we ordered just one cake to share. Seriously! reading everyone else’s comments just make your blood boil! The way singaporean restaurants are evolving! Someone please post the list on facebook and invite all your friends for the cause! Boycott boycott boycott!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
auntielucia
January 23, 2010

Veron, to help make it easier for you to update: Sweet Spring at AMK Hub doesn’t serve water; the answer was just “no” when I ate there yesterday. I inferred that even if I paid, the answer would still be “no”. Sweet Spring is part of Fish & Co.
Reply
- Veron
  January 25, 2010
  
  You are so thoughtful! :)
  Reply
iammyy
January 23, 2010

Ok Shabu Shabu – East Coast Road

I think they earn good money from getting people to buy drinks since it’s a steamboat (how can you not have water right?) hehs
Reply
Nicholas
January 24, 2010

funny how tap water in 10 year old green jerry cans taste so good during reservist. no ice water at restaurants be it family diners or fine dining is a really stupid and penny wise pound foolish policy. company policy my arse. listen to your customers and give them no reason to complain. especially over a glass of water that will cost you less than a lousy penny.
Reply
pkchukiss
January 24, 2010

Is there some way we can publicise this list to the Singapore Tourism Board to help tourists make better informed choices about the restaurants they patron? I think it would be nice if that can help them make a decision about what restaurants to patronise when they come to Singapore.
Reply
lin
January 26, 2010

yeah, also at Kartini Restaurant at Parkway Parade, no drinking water, they charge for mineral water.
Reply
- Veron
  January 26, 2010
  
  Added Kartini Restaurant (Parkway Parade)
  Reply
auntielucia
January 26, 2010

Veron, I’m wondering if this no-free, no-water list is enough to effect positive change efficiently? It occured to me some of the restaurants/eateries which are currently not charging might be emboldened by the number that do, to follow suit.

So am wondering whether u have the time/inclination to start a parallel list of restaurants that are generous with free water? If so, I give as my first contribution Bora Bora on Sentosa.
Reply
- Veron
  January 26, 2010
  
  While I see your point about restaurateurs being embolden by others that charge extra for tap water, I find that there is no need to specially highlight those that do serve free water because to me, that’s something every restaurant should be doing in the first place.
  
  Based on my own experience, most restaurants that I dine at, maybe 9 in 10, serve water freely. The 1 that doesn’t make it to this list. To start a parallel list would be a rather daunting task because it would be one huge list!
  Reply
joan
February 15, 2010

bbq chicken (restaurant) at the cineleisure orchard does not serve water with ur meal. u need to buy the bottled water
Reply