100+ Restaurants in Singapore That Do Not Serve Free Water
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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 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) [...]
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Dec 20, 2009
9
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
Dec 20, 2009
3470
Way to keep customers from returning. Added!
Dec 21, 2009
2
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. :)
Dec 21, 2009
3470
Thanks, I have updated the list. The reader that contributed Pasta Fresca Da Salvatore made references to the branches at Changi Airport and Siglap.
Dec 23, 2009
9
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.
Dec 23, 2009
3470
$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.
Mar 19, 2010
3470
Good news, Daphne! Su posted that the restaurant serves iced water now.
Dec 31, 2009
1
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.
Dec 31, 2009
2
Canton-i at Ion Orchard charges S$1.00 per person for water.
Dec 31, 2009
2
Crystal Jade La Mian Xia Long Bao at Bugis Junction Basement 1 charges S$0.30 per person for water.
Jan 10, 2010
1
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
Jan 11, 2010
1
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.
Jan 11, 2010
1
suanthai at 101 killiney road does not serve water. Please add it to your list.
Jan 14, 2010
1
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.
Jan 23, 2010
1
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan 23, 2010
24
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.
Jan 25, 2010
3470
You are so thoughtful! :)
Jan 23, 2010
1
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
Jan 24, 2010
51
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.
Jan 24, 2010
82
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.
Jan 26, 2010
1
yeah, also at Kartini Restaurant at Parkway Parade, no drinking water, they charge for mineral water.
Jan 26, 2010
3470
Added Kartini Restaurant (Parkway Parade)
Jan 26, 2010
24
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.
Jan 26, 2010
3470
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!
Feb 15, 2010
1
bbq chicken (restaurant) at the cineleisure orchard does not serve water with ur meal. u need to buy the bottled water
Mar 9, 2010
1
TORI-TAMA @ robertson Walk.
Water with ice is serve at $5. and water alone is $2.
Mar 19, 2010
2
Seems like Trattoria at 313 giving iced water now. Maybe they heard you…
Mar 19, 2010
3470
Thanks for the update, Su. That’s good news! I have removed them from the list.