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
- Serenity Spanish Bar & Restaurant (VivoCity) – 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.’
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.
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.’
Jun 16, 2009
1
xin wang hong kong cafe (Marina Square) 20cents charge for warm water, 40cents charge for ice water. :( whats the point
Jun 16, 2009
3472
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 :(
Jun 16, 2009
1
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.
Jun 16, 2009
3472
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.
Jun 16, 2009
4
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 :)
Jun 16, 2009
3472
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?
Jun 16, 2009
2
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.
Jun 16, 2009
3472
Thanks for clarifying on Bakerzin! To be safe, I have indicated the specific outlets instead.
Added First Thai Food!
Jun 16, 2009
29
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?
Jun 16, 2009
3472
Thanks for sharing your experience!
No worries, Snowy would be back soon!
Jun 16, 2009
4
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
Jun 16, 2009
3472
Good one! If not for your comment, I would be keen to check out a place with a cute name like that.
Added!
Sep 25, 2011
1
beary cafe no service charge. is self svc plain water
Jun 16, 2009
27
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*
Jun 16, 2009
3472
Xin Wang has been added to the list. Sadly it also happens to be a favourite café of mine (love the curry chicken) :(
Aug 17, 2009
1
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!
Aug 18, 2009
3472
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.
Jun 16, 2009
2
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.
Jun 16, 2009
3472
That’s the spirit!
And yes, it should be made mandatory that restaurants serve free water, especially if they are levying service charges.
Jun 16, 2009
1
hi,
are you sure about Petite Cuisine at Serene Centre? I can’t remember exactly, but I think there’s self-service plain water
Jun 16, 2009
3472
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?
Jan 23, 2010
6
Yes La Petite Cuisine serves free water, but it is self-service.
Jun 16, 2009
1
I think all Bakerzin outlets have since changed their policy & started serving water.
Jun 16, 2009
3472
That’s great news! Bakerzin’s one of my favourite cafés :)
Jun 16, 2009
10
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!!
Jun 16, 2009
3472
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)?
Jun 16, 2009
10
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!
Jun 16, 2009
3472
Really? I find it hard to believe that water drank by humans can amount to any significant costs!
Added Astons Specialties!
Jun 16, 2009
10
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!
Mar 24, 2014
1
Water should not be deemed as a must-be-free item in all Restaurants.
Whilst the cost of water itself is insignificant, there are other related costs involved in serving them to you in Restaurants.
Costs that are often not visible to patrons, but very real to Restaurant-Operators! Eg Labour-costs !! A huge chunk of operating costs goes to Labour & if the wait-staff are not tied-up serving FREE water to Patrons, they can be more profitably serving the bottom-line of that establishment !!
Not to mention other over-heads !!
So, the next time you ask for that free glass of water, remember the hidden costs that goes into bringing it to you !!
Jun 17, 2009
1
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.
Jun 17, 2009
3472
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?
Jun 17, 2009
1
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.
Jun 17, 2009
3472
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.
Jul 20, 2009
3
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.
Jul 20, 2009
3472
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! :)
Jul 20, 2009
137
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?
Sep 9, 2009
6
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
Sep 9, 2009
3472
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!
Jan 16, 2010
1
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.
Jun 17, 2009
1
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.
Jun 17, 2009
3472
Exactly! Singapore is hot all year round, so all the more that restaurants should serve free water by default.
Jun 17, 2009
8
can someone with some clout get straits times or sunday times to do a story on this.?
Jun 17, 2009
5
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
Jun 17, 2009
3472
Added Alps Café!
Jul 22, 2009
1
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…..:)
Jul 22, 2009
4
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).
Jul 22, 2009
24
Aiyah, Ah Meng, Veron already has a disclaimer, mah!
Jul 23, 2009
1
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.
Jul 23, 2009
3472
Got it. Happy to remove it from the list :)
Jun 17, 2009
1
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…)
Jun 17, 2009
3472
Good for you Howard! Finally we get a restaurateur here that knows what customers want.
Jan 23, 2010
6
That’s why I go to Standing Sushi Bar. =)