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 18, 2009
1
perhaps also how much they charge for water and whether the water is refillable.
I had an experience with Crystal Jade Amuleto whereby one small glass of water charged for RM1.00(about SGD0.40) and it is NOT refillable!
Jun 18, 2009
1
My first time here and I must say, I am absolutely enthralled with your background. It’s amazing, and I could really go on about how beautiful it is, but I really should not digress further!
I am grateful that you have taken the effort and time to come up with this list- it is certainly very informative and would let us know what to expect when we decide to ever dine at such restaurants.
However, with that said, I certainly do not think that the mere fact that a restaurant does not serve free water is enough to drive people away. I do understand where you are coming from, and I do agree with your quintessential stance that it all affects the whole customer service experience when such services are employed, but do take a moment to consider several considerations I have.
Firstly, a restaurant is a for-profit entity aimed specifically to reap profits from the sale of food and/or beverages. People in general would save when they can. In this respect, why would people buy an expensive drink from an expensive retaurant if all they are looking for is to savour the meal there? Therefore, a cost-saving tactic would be to drink something cheaper- or even free: water. Thus from a company’s viewpoint, customers who always order plain water rather than the drinks would mean the company is not gaining potential profit. And that is always a concern for companies, especially restaurants because although they are more expensive, their customer base might not be as big as more commercialized outlets (e.g fast food restaurants or the like) and may not have that many customers. However, this is not to say that the companies should actually consider that giving service is more important than saving a few dollars per drink as a happy customer is a customer who gains the trust of the service and would be more exploratory about his next purchase)
Secondly, not everyone always needs plain water after a meal. I don’t know how many would (or would not), so I would not touch on how impactful the service of serving free plain water is to customers. But the fact exists that not everyone demands, needs, requires or cares about having free plain water after a meal. While it is certainly nice to have free water after a meal (hey, it’s free anyway), I do not think it is enough to “drive” a customer away from a restaurant that has REALLY good food. I know I am hardly an example, but Gelare’s ice cream is fantastic (and so are their waffles), and I don’t ask for water in a restaurant. Even IF I do require water after my meal, the fact that Gelare does not serve free water is not enough to drive me away from savouring their waffles. After all, I visit restaurants to savour their food, not the water.
Thus while it is nice to know this information, gathering people to boycott a restaurant simply because they do not serve water is not exactly a very workable idea. I would suggest an alternative if you really are keen to have your water after your meal- perhaps you could try writing in to these restaurants to let them know that it would really improve the customer service experience that goes with the good food they have, and this can reap far more potential profit in terms of Going the Extra Mile for the customer.
I do feel that by contrast, in writing a strongly worded post on an online platform and having loaded words that urge the customer to boycott is less effective in getting your goal achieved.
But thank you for taking the time to read this humble post of mine anyway, and I best of luck in your endeavours in getting the list up!
PS: Your blog is really beautiful! I know I’m saying it twice, but it really is!! xD
Jun 18, 2009
3472
Hello randomMissus, thank you so much for your wonderful compliments on my web design, and for making time to leave a comment. It is obvious that we come from two very different standpoints.
While I can see why some restaurants would adopt the no-water policy (to increase profit margins), it does not necessarily mean that I agree with their rationale. Customers who want to order bottled water or other drinks would still do it by all means. My point is that there is a big group of us who do prefer water, and do not mind tap water. The problem is that some restaurants refuse to serve even tap water to customers who have specifically requested for it and have already ordered other food. It does not make sense.
I don’t have a problem with restaurants that do not automatically serve water to customers. I only take issue with the ones that refuse to provide even tap water, or charge, when we request for it.
You are right in that we visit a restaurant to savour the food, not the water. Some people may not be that bothered about the no-water policy so long as they can still enjoy the great food. From the strong sentiments expressed in many of the comments here, there are also people who would no longer visit such a restaurant, irregardless of how good the food is. I am one of them.
I have written a number of glowing reviews recommending Lerk Thai. Personally I think their food is awesome. But ever since they introduced the no-water policy recently, I have decided not to patronise them anymore. Still, I would not take down those reviews. I leave the choice to my readers whether they still want to dine there.
It would be nice to be able to write a letter to each and every restaurant that doesn’t serve free water. But with all due respect to them, restaurateurs that refuse to serve free water already don’t have much regard for consumer satisfaction in the first place. I doubt that a letter from one lone customer would sway them. Besides, it’s not my job to make sure that they improve their customer service. It’s theirs.
The choice of whether or not to serve free water belongs to the restaurateurs. Similarly, the choice of whether to patronise such a restaurant rests with us. For myself and many others, we have made our choice to boycott such restaurants. After all, there are a lot more restaurants that provide great food, great service, and free-flowing water.
Jun 18, 2009
2
i’ve been to trattoria lafiandra a number of times and never had a problem getting free water when i asked specifically for ice water fyi.
Jun 18, 2009
3472
I heard that they provide water only to diners who have ordered wine. Is that true?
Aug 1, 2009
2
not that i’m aware of! gotten free water when i’ve ordered wine and when i’ve not ordered wine.
Jun 18, 2009
8
it starts with charging for water, then charging for perhaps napkins, then for the use of the plates etc. where does it end. restaurants exist to make profit. but there has to be a certain amount of things that are expenses in running a restaurant. will they also charge more if i get lipstick on my napkin?
and very few restaurants in singapore actually pass the 10 % service charge to staff. owners, pay your staff a fair wage and not get in to the habit of expecting your customers to tip your staff. after all, iam not expected to tip the sales assistant in robinsons for good service, so why is a restaurant different. its a bad habit from the US system. do we also have to tip the SIA girl as well then?
Jun 18, 2009
4
Hey Wendy, developed nations do charge a gratuity on their bills similar to Singapore. It’s to help cover cost for service staff. The practice in the US is unique because a gratuity is not automatically levied and servers are expected to earn what people tip them. It’s an entirely different system and a practice there.
Jun 19, 2009
8
yes its a different system. doesnt mean it cant be changed, and doesnt mean other countries need to follow it.
bottom line, restaurants pay their staff less and expect them to earn TIPS. sales assistants are suppsoedly not paid less so no tips.
all in all, something not quite right there, and restanrt owners who dont pay fair have had it too good so far. more profits for management coz they expect their customers to supplement their staff’s income. frankly, where got meaning this sort of boss?
Jun 19, 2009
4
I think you misunderstand. It is the Singaporean system of using the 10% gratuity to cover a decent wage for servers. As for sales assistants, they earn more because the bottom lines of their business is much higher. Simple economics.
Jun 19, 2009
8
i already said that very few establishemnts in singapore actually pass on the 10% service charge to the staff.
as for your simple economics theory, i presume thats why policeman in certain countries need to ask for bribes then, coz the bottom line of their business/industry doesnt earn so much..
basically, the bosses of some successful establishments earn alot, they just dont want to pay their service staff more. becoause people are stuck with the belief that waiters cannot earn more than a certain some.
bottom line, restaurant owners for too long have lived with the notion that the public can help pay the salary of their staff. if they did away with this idea, took less profit home and shared the profits more among their staff by paying them more…
im sure you are one of those who believe that the cleaners who clean up after your shit really only derserve the pittance theu are paid.
Jun 18, 2009
1
I’ve been to these places, and they do serve iced water when asked:
The Mussel Guys (VivoCity)
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao (so far in those West outlets that i went)
However I went to a couple of these outlets and they don’t serve iced water:
– Pastamania (all outlets)
– Bakerzin (all outlets)
Jun 18, 2009
3472
Some readers have feedback that the Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao at Holland Avenue and Suntec City Mall charge $0.30 for water. I have listed those outlets specifically.
As for The Mussel Guys, I think they serve free water only to people that have already ordered other drinks.
Personally I have never been served free water at Bakerzin and had to order their Evian each time. But from some of the comments, it seems that they have changed their policy!
For PastaMania, I never had a problem getting water when I made my requests. But it’s been a while since I last visited them. Have things changed?
Sep 24, 2010
2
Pastamania at Suntec City have a table on the side with cups and water for customers’ consumption. If you ask they would serve you, or you can get it yourself.
Jun 18, 2009
1
One more – Carl’s junior (expensive Angus beef patty hamburgers) – at ECP, near former Big Splash)
Jun 18, 2009
3472
Added. Thanks for your contribution :)
Jun 18, 2009
9
I don’t think its fair to add Carl’s Jr.
In that case, you have to add subway, BK, KFC, mos burger…etc
I understand that fast food places don’t serve water, their drinks aren’t that expensive anyway.
It’s the sit down joints, proper dining restaurants that we should have a bone to pick with.
Jun 19, 2009
3472
I can see where you are coming from. But I disagree. Whether to offer drinks or not has nothing to do with whether the drinks are expensive. If I’m having an extra-value meal at a fast food restaurant, I really don’t see anything wrong with requesting for a small drink of water to go along. Nor does McDonald’s. That’s why they never deny customers of this.
Jul 12, 2009
4
its a fact that McDonalds do serve water if u ask for it XD
Jul 14, 2009
1
I second this – the fast food restaurants – BKs, Macs and KFCs do serve water on request. They even have these small cups specially to serve plain water – and they’ll even mix cold and hot water, if you request for warm water. 2 thumbs up for the fast foodies who are able to display an example of good service where these overpriced restaurants cannot.
Jun 18, 2009
1
Pasta Fresca also doesn’t serve free water (definitely at the Changi airport and Upper East Coast Rd branches…can’t vouch for the rest).
Jun 18, 2009
3472
Added Pasta Fresca. Thank you.
Jun 18, 2009
1
I went to Prince Taiwan Porridge located at Cheong Chin Nam Road (Opposite Beauty World, upper bt timah).
They charge $0.20 per cup of TAP water…. They have no shame but to use the cup , fill the water from the tap itself and serve you!!! $0.20 per cup, no free flow!!!
Shame on them!
Jun 18, 2009
3472
That’s disgraceful! Added!!
Jun 18, 2009
1
Ashton’s all branches, they charge 30 cents for water.
Their prices for certain drinks have been going up lately as well.
Jun 18, 2009
3472
Is that Astons Specialties? It’s in the list already.
Jun 18, 2009
1
BALIthai Novena Square
Had lunch there this week and friends were told with no hint of apology or shame – no water.
Jun 18, 2009
3472
Oh yes! You are absolutely right! I got the same treatment at the Tampines Mall outlet when I dined there some months back.
Added!
Jun 18, 2009
1
Spizza!
Jun 18, 2009
3472
Pizza and no water? Added!
Jun 18, 2009
2
Muthu’s Curry ( everywhere)
Five Star Chicken Rice( all branches)
Jun 18, 2009
3472
Added both restaurants.
I dined at Muthu’s Curry but never really noticed if they served water. In my opinion, a restaurant where people go for thick and spicy Indian curry should definitely serve free-flowing iced water!
Jun 19, 2009
2
Muthu’s Curry not only do not serve free water, they even forced me to buy their extremely over-priced mineral water. They said that they only serve bottled mineral water and these cost alot more than what you can buy outside.
i was so angry i walked out.
Jul 10, 2009
3472
Muthu’s Curry has feedback that they have updated their policy. They now serve free water :) I have removed it from the list.
Jul 10, 2009
3472
Muthu’s Curry has clarified that they have changed their policy and now serve free water :) I have removed the restaurant from the list.
Jun 18, 2009
9
Dear Veron,
Maybe a clearer distinction could be drawn.
Possibly fast-food/kopitiam type places should not be cited. Some pseudo-fastfood places should be exempted too (especially those low-profit margin/high-turnover eateries)
Definitely fine-dining restaurants go to the top of the list (they should pour water before you ask).
I know the line is hard to draw, but I think it does make a difference. One would not expect free water at a coffeeshop, neither does one expect free water at macdonalds. But if I pay $70-100 per head for a fine dining experience, even if I’m drinking wine exclusively, I’d expect a glass of iced-water on my table, fully comped. These should be all part of good service.
Maybe that should be the line. Service charge = should provide water. No service charge = no water forgiveable.
Jeff
Jun 19, 2009
3472
You’re right that the line is hard to draw. But I’m not sure if we can draw the line at whether the restaurant levies service charges. There are many restaurants that do not levy service charges, but price their food highly instead. The seemingly zero service charge is actually hidden in the food prices.
Jun 19, 2009
7
I agree with Jeff. Fast food and kopitiam should not be cited here.
Veron: Great list you have here. Thanks!
Jun 19, 2009
1
Old Town Coffee do not serve ice water too, BOYCOTT!
Jun 19, 2009
3472
Right. They also charge $0.50 for a small extra spoonful of chilli to go with their nasi lemak. When I start a list of craptastic restaurants, Old Town is going right into that list.
Jun 19, 2009
8
hatto at ridgewood does not serve water. they use to have a help yourself jug. now they want you to buy water with their own label
Jun 19, 2009
3472
I won’t be surprised if they sell that across all their outlets. Added.
Jun 19, 2009
1
coming from a server point of view..
i once served 12 ice water to 12 youngsters and they all walked out after finishing the water! My manager asked if they ordered anything and i replied, “yes. ice water. so no bill!”
I know this is an extreme case but there are many people out there making use of the free water policy. They would constantly asked for refills; some even need the glasses to be changed! I believe those who do not provide free water also do it in order to reduce the manpower needed and increase seats turnover too.
And no. service charge do not goes to the servers in singapore. =(
Jun 19, 2009
3472
With anything free there would always be the minority group of people that abuse it. Is that a good reason to deprive the majority who just want to have a proper meal with water?
Also, I don’t think it’s wrong to ask for water refills. The customer may be really thirsty or having something really spicy! Many restaurants do it automatically, too (Swensen’s and tcc come to mind). But I do think it’s wrong when a customer continues staying in a restaurant with just that glass of refillable water even long after he’s done with his meal.
Jun 22, 2009
1
I agreed. If i spend 40+ at a resturant, i already paid $4++ for service charges…. and how many times will the staff come to my table after placing foods on my table? So why should they charge plain water? If they want to charge, then tell customers in advance.
and there are those worse cases that can put some sort of sauce on the table and then charge u $5 or $3 for that plate of sauce u never dipped at all!!! Unreasonable!!! And they should state earlier that the sauce is charged. We didnt ask for that. Its already on our table, next to the slices chillies. So of course u thought its free right?!?!
Of course n those that serve peanuts but dont they know that not everyone can take peanuts? and so unreasonable shops SIMPLY DONT allow u to CANCEL that plate of peanuts!!! Citing they earn low from the foods…….. Zzzzzzzz (ps their foods isnt that cheap at all)
Jun 22, 2009
3472
Exactly! I hate it when they charge for stuff that you haven’t asked for but they place at your table anyway, such as peanuts, crisps, keropok. And they don’t bother telling you that all these things are chargeable. Believe me, I know exactly what you mean.
I’ve experienced it at mostly Chinese restaurants like Oasis and had a similar encounter at Bali Thai too.
Jun 19, 2009
4
It’s simple – provide water only once the order has been taken, or if the person has joined a table that has already ordered.
As for refills, that’s what restaurants are supposed to do. Its called service.
Jun 19, 2009
1
Barcelos
vivocity #02-91-93
Jun 19, 2009
3472
Added Barcelos. That’s one less place I need to check out at VivoCity.
Jun 19, 2009
1
Bao Luo Wan Xiang @ Plaza Singapura basement2
asked for glass of warm water = $0.50 charge….
Jun 19, 2009
3472
That’s one pricey glass of water. Added!
Jun 19, 2009
4
A year or so back I was at Insomnia in CHIJMES. Two if us were there a long while and had probably run up a $200 bar tab by then. A friend joined us and they refused to serve her water. They were extremely rude about it. Even given that we’d spent so much money with them already and the place wasn’t busy so her seat wasn’t exactly in demand. We would have stayed at the bar and spent more money had they given our friend a drink of water and not been so rude. As it is they’ve lost three generally undemanding, high-spending customers for life. I don’t know if it’s changed in recent times – I doubt it as there don’t seem to be enough sites like your raising awareness of this petty and ridiculous practice. In many countries it is completely illegal not to provide free water – and in some you are even obliged to provide water to people who aren’t customers.
Jun 20, 2009
3472
Thanks for sharing your experience. Them losing your business is exactly what they deserve for the poor service rendered.
Added Insomnia.
Jun 19, 2009
1
Lucky for the Little India restaurants.. they not only serve free water, they leave the jar and cups on the tables for everyone to refill-at-will. :)
Jun 20, 2009
3472
Oh yeah you’re right! Haha I noticed that too. Speaking of which, the last time I visited Swensen’s (Toa Payoh) for the 1-for-1 lunch treats, they also left a jar of cold water on every table for us to refill. Props to them.