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.’
Jul 12, 2009
1
Wan Chai Hong Kong Tea Room (Sembawang Shopping Centre) – We walked out immediately and have since boycott the restaurant.
As a matter of fact, being a ‘Hong Kong Cafe’-style food lover, I don’t remember any of those chains that serve water at all.
More boycotts coming my way!
Jul 12, 2009
3472
Added. There are indeed a number of Hong Kong cafés listed. I wonder why!
Jul 12, 2009
2
Seems like there are so many issues regarding this ice water thingy…
Points i wonder after reading so many comments:
1. Is restaurant charge service charge then water should be free? If no service charge also must serve ice water free?
2. Kopitiam becos low price and high turnover should charge ice water?
3. If no free ice water dun go? funny to me….go restaurant enjoy food or enjoy ice water? Lousy food but free ice water so should go? good food but no free ice water so should boycott?
4. What is fair or reasonable? free? 20 cents? 30cents? 50cents? 80 cents?
5. i think there should be categories for regarding the list of restaurants to boycott..e.g, high class, middle class, low class, got service charge or no service charge etc.
6. everyone like to say its not about the money but the principle but when restaurant charge u 20 cents u will start to make noise…..better still everything free u eat already then want to pay how much u decide..i think like this no one will complain except the restaurant owners.
I kinda see restaurants that charge ice water as flying normal airline like SQ, Thai compared to budget airlines. U can decide what u want then u pay and what u don’t want u don’t pay.
i think for me the key is having the freedom to make the choice.
The more pressing issue to me should be “customers must have the right to decide if they want to pay service charge.” Forced to pay service charge of 10% when clearly service standards is not up to par. 10% is much more substantial than example 50cents for ice water. Isn’t this issue more pressing for citizens to debate over and give their opinions and maybe one day the Government hears about it and make some new regulations?
Just my 20cents worth of ice water….
Food Lover,
Alvin
Jul 14, 2009
9
Alvin,
your statement “I kinda see restaurants that charge ice water as flying normal airline like SQ, Thai compared to budget airlines. U can decide what u want then u pay and what u don’t want u don’t pay.” doesn’t make much sense.
You do realise that when you pay for full-fared flights, all drinks served on the plane are free and unlimited? You can pretty much ask the stewardesses to keep pouring whiskey for you and they would (if you can handle it). You can drink all their water if you want too. Just have to ask.
In your argument, those places that charge for water should be the budget airlines. It is precisely this reason that I don’t fly budget. I’d rather pay more for better service. In this case, when I’m paying service charges and top $$$ for fine dining, I would expect the minimum of a glass of iced-water on my table.
Jul 15, 2009
2
Hey Jeff,
This statement is more geared towards those restaurants that don’t charge service charge, reasonably priced restaurants not referring to those high class fine dining ones which i also feel water should be free as well. The service charge and premium dollar u pay for the food and ambience and service should be enough to cover the costs of water as well as manpower needed in providing free water to the customers. like those restaurants where u have a choice if u want water, wet towels, pickles if u don’t want then u will not be charged. this kinda feels to me like budget airlines if u just need to fly and not want the drinks n food onboard. u don’t have to pay for the higher fares with better service and food and drinks etc.
Hope this clarifies my statement.
I hate it when everything is compulsory irregardless whether u consume it or not.
E.g, peanuts, pickles, chinese tea, rice, towels, poor service rendered.
Jul 12, 2009
2
Another one that deserves mention…Heaven’s Loft in Orchard Central. Some comments are located here: http://www.hungrygowhere.com/reviews/comments/26049/ and here http://jmax.wordpress.com/2009/06/07/
Jul 12, 2009
2
Do a Google search on Heaven’s Loft at Orchard Central. You will find at least two blog posts about not serving tap water
Jul 12, 2009
3472
Added. That’s one of the newest F&B establishments in town.
Jul 12, 2009
2
What’s worst is that some drinking establishments too refuse to serve tap water. That’s just plain irresponsible. It’s a required law in certain Australian states to serve free tap water if you serve up alcohol as well.
And that comment made by Gracie Vitale of La Forketta.
“Our patrons are serious diners and come for our food, not taste water. It’s the customer with the budget that insists on tap water”
That’s just downright elitist. And La Forketta aren’t even that posh to begin with.
Jul 12, 2009
3
I also find the response from the director of La Forketta to be rude. Her response is adding fuel to fire and offensive. Not only is she unresponsive to comments about her water policy, she insults patrons who request for water as “budget” conscious.
We should also highlight restaurants who have a good water policy. Coastes Bar in Sentosa is an example. They have a large insulated container of iced water, and anyone can just go fill up cups of iced water, and they cheerfully top up the container when it is empty. Kudoes for the great attitude at Coastes Bar!
Jul 13, 2009
3472
That remark from her was totally uncalled for. From reading the comments here, including yours, it seems to have backfired on her.
And they sure have done a great job at Coastes Bar!
Jul 12, 2009
3472
By making that kind of comment, I think she has already turned off dozens of potential customers. Not a terribly smart or business-minded move.
Jul 12, 2009
19
i so dislike the comments by the managing director of La Forketta.
“our patrons are serious diners and come for our food, not to taste water” sounds like a childish response. yea, of course patrons are there to eat, not to taste water! what kind of comment is this?! the issue here now is about diners demanding water to be served f.o.c. because they need it to enjoy their food (yes, we did patronize for the food huh), not because they want to taste it!
and the description “customer with a budget who insists on tap water” sounded really demeaning. it seemed to bring across the idea that she finds those customers cheapskate huh. i guessed she doesn’t really get the point. it’s not that customers want to scrimp on it but because they feel that water should be a right, not a mean for the restaurant to exploit more money from!
lastly, she mentioned that outside singapore, “nobody really asks for tap water”. i think she might have overlooked the point that singapore is one of the rare countries with clean drinkable tap water whereas most other countries do not have such a privilege, which is why foreigners do not really ask for tap water? how could she have made a comparison like this?!
in short, i find this lady rather shallow and unreasonable and was rather put off by it.
Jul 12, 2009
1
Would like to add to the list:
Kenny Rogers – no free water @ Suntec City and Marina Square branches
Jul 13, 2009
3472
Kenny Rogers is already on the list. Plus, with that earlier cockroach incident, they sure don’t look good!
Oct 21, 2009
1
Hi Veron, many thanks for starting this blog. Please add the Kenny Rogers’ branch at Great World City to your list. Thanks
Oct 21, 2009
3472
You are most welcome, and thank you for your contribution, too. Added the Great World City outlet.
Jul 12, 2009
6
Hi Veron.
I am glad that you have compiled a list of restaurants that do not serve water or charges a fee for water.
You’re right about Secret Recipe, Central Restaurant and Crystal Jade. Here’re 2 more:
Royal Cafe at East Coast Road, Siglap (Charges S$0.20 for a glass of warm water)
Imperial Herbal Restaurant, Vivo City (Charges S$1.00 for a glass of warm water. They also charge S$1.00 per person for tea.
Best regards
James
Jul 13, 2009
3472
Added Imperial Herbal Restaurant.
A quick question about Royal Café in Siglap: Are they more popularly known as The Pie Factory? I hope to get the name right before publishing it on my list :)
Sep 14, 2009
1
Yr right about secret recipe. $0.50 for water. Never going to patronise it again. Nor any of those restaurant that charge
Jul 12, 2009
1
Hong Kong Kim Gary, where cactus distilled water is the only cheap-er alternative at 1.50SGD
Jul 13, 2009
3472
I added their VivoCity outlet. Can you verify if their other outlet at Tampines 1 has the same policy?
Wonder if their Malaysian outlets are the same too.
Jul 12, 2009
1
Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant at One Fullerton.
When I asked for iced water, the waiter snobbishly replied “We don’t serve water here”.
I am not coming back!
Jul 13, 2009
3472
Added! I wonder why the waitstaff themselves have to be snobbish about it. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to drink water. It’s what the doctors recommend!
Jul 12, 2009
3
You should do a petition online addressed to these restaurants and get signatures from people who will boycott them if they do not change their policy. Serving water is a basic service which should not be negotiable. Especially if it is for critical things like taking medicine or for mixing baby formula.
Jul 13, 2009
3472
Actually that’s not really the point of this list in the first place. I want to highlight to customers all the restaurants that refuse to serve free water. Bringing this awareness to the masses is my objective. I call for a boycott, fully knowing that people would still ultimately make their own choice as to whether to patronise these restaurants.
Getting the restaurants to change their policy is secondary, although that would be great as an end result :)
Jul 12, 2009
1
Dear Veron,
Thank you so much for doing this. It is galling how in these times when we need to be environmentally concious restaurants refuse to serve water. I think it is commendable that you are publishing this list of recalcitrant restaurants who are helping to devastate our environment by insisting we buy bottled water. I will continue to keep you posted on any restaurants which refuse to serve water in glasses. BTW, the latest trend in NYC is to serve water because serving bottled water is not PC, this is in spite of higher rents in NYC so Singaporean restaurants have no excuse.
Su Yen
Jul 12, 2009
1
you can add Skinny Pizza at Suntec City to the list. their food is great, but when i found out they did not serve iced water after i had ordered my buffet and paid, i was sorely disappointed.
Jul 13, 2009
3472
Added! And I was so looking forward to going there :(
Jul 13, 2009
6
Crystal Jade Kitchen in Suntec City Basement charges 30 cents for water. Maybe its a practice in all Crystal Jade outlets judging from what I see above -.-”
I am not going to patronize those restaurants above!
Jul 13, 2009
1
Hi,
Thank you for doing this! It’s really awesome. Does anyone know the cost of tap water in sg? like per liter, how much does it cost? This way, we can see if it’s justifiable that the restaurant charge us for the water.
Jul 13, 2009
3472
Someone did the math already. See: http://fireopal82.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-tap-water-right-wrong-privilege.html
From his/her calculations, a 250ml glass of water would cost less than a cent. 0.03 cent to be exact!
Jul 13, 2009
1
I came along to see the blog after seeing the article in the sunday times.
I think it’s not as bad as to call for a boycott, although I will avoid these places that don’t even have the basic service culture of serving free water – at least upon request. I visit tokyo frequently, and have always been very happy with the free water served *everywhere*. I cannot recall any eatery that does not serve free iced water immediately when you sit down at its tables.
i feel that free water is a basic part of service culture, and it’s not what many of these greedy restaurant owners (in the list above) make it out to be.
“People who complain are not educated about business costs because nothing is free”- Mad Jack’s co-founder Mr Jack Chin.
I’m surprise Mad Jack’s still survives, with its seeming philosophy of caring for profits and not for customers. I will never patronise Mad Jack’s after seeing this guy’s words. And I happen to be educated in business. It seems like this guy is the one who isn’t.
To add to the list above, Subway (sandwich) doesn’t serve free water. I was on a diet and asked for water instead of it’s standard vended sweetened drinks, they turned me down and asked me to buy a bottle of mineral water instead at $1.50 (same price as the other drinks). The supermarket nearby sells the same thing for 40cents.
Jul 13, 2009
3472
There has been a fair bit of debate on whether fast food restaurants should go on the list. It’s a grey area. What do you guys think?
Jul 14, 2009
6
it would be good to highlight to readers so that they are aware and not assume all fast food eateries dont serve free ice water :) I was quite surprised to hear this about subway too (i assume that all fast food restaurants follow the mcdonalds way – seems like it isnt the case after all)
Jul 15, 2009
3472
Does anyone think fast food restaurants that refuse to give out free water should go on the list?
Jul 13, 2009
2
I recently visited Secret Recipe in Mariner Square, when I asked for a glass of water the waiter told me that there was $0.50 charge for water.
I always make it a habit to get up and leave the resturant when told that there is a charge for tap water.
Jul 13, 2009
1
it’s good to finally see bloggers (in this particular case, a blogger) rising up against the unscrupulous and greedy entreprenuers. I have been trying to do it subtly but you have certainly taken it to a new level.
Kudos to you. I am not a singaporean so I cant contribute but from the comments, sounds like you have a lot of support!
Jul 13, 2009
3472
Maybe you can start a list for your country!
Jul 13, 2009
1
Ah Loy Thai (Shaw Towers)
The food’s good and cheap, but it doesn’t serve water. Had to buy bottled water to continue eating their spicy food because I hate drinking flavoured drinks.
About the newspaper article, maybe you would like to add an asterisk (*) to new contributions, till it has been seconded by someone else?
Maybe you could make a list into a map too?
Jul 13, 2009
3472
Added Aloy Thai :)
I think I would leave it to the maps experts to do the necessary! But let me think about the asterisks suggestion. That’s a good one :)
Jul 13, 2009
1
I support your cause and think that all restaurants should supply drinking water, even if just from the tap. Hope that the restaurants on the list will provide drinking water after finding themselves on the list.
Jul 13, 2009
3472
Thanks for your support! I wonder how many restaurateurs actually know about this list.