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 15, 2009
1
Was at White Coffee at east coast (big splash) on Tuesday (14/07/09). When I asked for water after my meal they said it costs $0.50 per cup! Way too expensive!!
Jul 15, 2009
1
Well done! Totall agree with you. Let’s boycott these restaurants. I for one will avoid them.
Jul 15, 2009
2
Oosters at Suntec City does not serve water.
Jul 15, 2009
3472
I was there recently to have drinks, but didn’t realise they don’t serve free water. Added.
Jul 16, 2009
2
I was there beginning of this year and asked for water after my beers and food. They told me they don’t serve water. I replied, “That is very bad.” She didn’t know what to say. Obviously, I didn’t leave a tip.
Jul 19, 2009
2
Hi Veron
Another outlet to add to the list – Xing Hua Family Restaurant at Block 102, #01-274, Towner Road.
Just had dinner with family. The attendant was trying hard to push for bottled water but I refused. Asked for a cup of plain water and they conveniently added 20 cents to the bill for it, without telling me prior.
First and last time to this place for me.
Jul 20, 2009
3472
Added. Even if it’s a small amount, they should have let you know at that point in time that there is a charge.
Jul 25, 2009
3
Ampang Niang Toufu at 225 East Coast Road
I just visited Ampang Niang Toufu at 225 East Coast Road with my parents and daughters. When my daughter asked for a few cubes of ice (she had a bottle of her own drink that she wanted to keep cold), a waitress looked at the owner of the restaurant, and upon some nonverbal cue, signalled to another waitress not to serve ice to my 9-year-old daughter.
All this was done in front of us.
When the owner of the restaurant came over, he told us that their policy was to disallow outside food and drinks, which we had no problem with (my daughter did not even imbibe a drop of her drink she brought in, since we told her that she was not supposed to bring drinks bought outside into the restaurant).
But he followed up with a comment that if we did not agree with his policy, we could choose not to visit his restaurant in future.
Can you imagine this kind of customer service orientation?
Jul 27, 2009
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I think I can empathise with how you felt. I was on the receiving end of this similar treatment at AJ’s Piri Piri Chicken. To their credit, they did serve iced water, but I was nursing a nasty cough at the time and requested for warm water instead. The waiter asked his manager/supervisor for permission to get me warm water. He shook his head no, fully aware that I was looking at him! It irked me at that time, but all was forgiven eventually when I received a surprise 25% discount off my bill.
In hindsight what annoyed me wasn’t the fact that they didn’t serve warm water. It’s the way they acted when I asked for it. The manager/supervisor guy could have said no in a more subtle way. Instead he chose to do it with a total lack of regard for his customer.
Added Ampang (whom I’m assuming has no service charge and I’ve indicated that accordingly).
Jul 26, 2009
1
Al Dente Trattoria is not in the list? Does that mean they have changed their service policy and start serving H2O already? They used to only serve distilled and sparkling but not iced or warm water…
Jul 28, 2009
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Honey it just means that you are the first to mention them :) But I’m not sure about this actually. Looking at some reviews on HungryGoWhere, it seems they do serve water? They may have changed their policy. Can someone confirm, please?
Jul 27, 2009
1
Hey Veron, I have one more place to add to your list! I recently discovered Tawandang Microbrewery in Dempsey Village. Great, fun place to bring a rowdy crowd for beer and Thai seafood, live band that gets really lively later in the evening! I’ve been recommending it to everyone. Went back last night and HORRORS!!! discovered that they charge $1.50 for “free-flow” of tap water!!! So now I have a huge dilemna, argh, cos I’m really craving the steamed seabass with cilantro-garlic sauce, and their beer, but to charge for water makes me MAD.
Jul 28, 2009
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I understand perfectly how you feel. A few of the listed restaurants are those that I used to frequent, but no longer ever since they stopped serving free water. For me personally, I find it hard to enjoy a meal even if the food is darn good, when there’s something else (poor service, no free water, etc) bothering me.
Added Tawandang to the list.
Aug 3, 2009
1
Hi,
please add Tawandang Microbrewery (Dempsey hill)
to the list. This is a restaurant and pub 2 in 1. But when I go there for purely dinner, was informed that the mgmt now implenent a $1.50 charge for ice water (used to be free). And their canned soft drinks are going for $3.50 which is the cheapest drink you could buy there.
Thanks
Aug 3, 2009
3472
Someone else agrees with you! Tawandang is already on the list :) Thanks for sharing the details on their pricing. I wonder why the water has to cost $1.50.
Aug 8, 2009
1
I just came across another place. Sakae Sushi at West Coast Mall (formerly Ginza). We went to Sakae Sushi on a Saturday to try their shabu shabu buffet. We asked for iced water and they refused to serve us. Considering that water is the essence of life, this is very bad!
Aug 10, 2009
3472
I have not visited a Sakae Sushi restaurant for a long time. Do they still have those hot water dispensers at every table that you can use to make your own free green tea?
Aug 21, 2009
24
Hi Sparklette:
Just a suggestion. Mayb u want to consider removing the adjective “greedy” in front of “dining establishments”, because I think we shld leave it to the customers to judge. You are just providing information and I think that’s enough.
Let me add to yr list:
Nan Xiang at the basement of Square 2 (next to Novena Square) and
Uncle’s Kitchen (one of my fav eating places) at B1, Bugis Junction
They both charge 50 cents for water. Not that i wanted to drink water. Asked out of curiousity and also help you build yr list.
Have a great week-end!
Lucy
Aug 22, 2009
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Hi again!
It’s always so great to hear from you! I really appreciate the many contributions you’ve made to this post. And, it’s so thoughtful of you to have asked about the restaurants’ water policy. Nowadays when I visit a restaurant, it has inevitably become a habit of mine to ask if they serve water, even if I’m ordering other drinks.
Yes, I realise the word “greedy” isn’t very diplomatic. lol! I’ve always felt that it’s okay to provide both information and my personal opinion on my blog. In fact, my food reviews are built on that basis.
That said, I know I have to draw the line somewhere. Now that the list has been publicised (sort of), it would be wise to be more sensitive and remove the words that people may find offensive. I have done so already. As always, thank you for your suggestion, Lucy :)
Sep 1, 2009
24
Hi Veron: If u are still continuing to add to yr list, then u might want to add Hot Tomato Express (basement, Plaza Singapura). It doesn’t serve free water. However, it serves very decent size meals at reasonable prices –eg grilled salmon set with fresh mango salsa for $9.90 (add $1.50 for good soup, one piece of garlic bread and gd coffee). Its wine by the glass is also decently priced at $6.50; also, wine is decent.
Btw, since u r very open to — and gracious abt — suggestions, may I ask you to consider reversing the order of yr comments, so that the latest appears 1st?
Easier for those who follow a topic with hundreds of comments, like the list of no-free-water eateries!
Cheers n keep u yr great blog!
Sep 7, 2009
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Hi babe, I missed your comment! Nonetheless I finally saw it and have updated my post. Thanks again!
Anyways, I hear you and understand that the way the comments currently appear aren’t too friendly to navigate. Initially I actually arranged them newest-to-oldest, but that way when new readers come to read this post, it would be more difficult for them to read the comments from the first to the last.
A solution would be to have a “Page 1, Page 2, Page 3…” kind of format so that people can immediately skip to the last page. I’m working on that currently :)
Meanwhile, have you subscribed to the comments of this post? That is one way you can be updated of new comments.
As always, thanks for your feedback!
Sep 14, 2009
24
Hi Veron:
I’m so happy u found my latest comment and that u’ve responded positively to making the comment thread more easy to follow… pagination is a definite improvement.
Yes, I’ve subscribed to the comments right from the start…but occasionally wants to interject further. That’s when I last had a problem… but no more, now that u’ve paginated!
All best!
AL
Sep 9, 2009
3472
Okay! I have FINALLY found the way to paginate the comments pages. Browsing them should be a lot easier now. Thanks!
Sep 8, 2009
57
I think you may have to flip the comments system the other way around or else replies will get lost (I had to find this page through a lengthy hit-or-miss method by guessing the page number through the web address…) :)
Sep 9, 2009
3472
All the comments are arranged with the newest at the bottom and subsequent pages, so that people can follow the conversation from oldest to newest. I know it was tough to jump to the newest page previously. So now I have separated them into different numbered pages. Should be easier to view now :)
Sep 9, 2009
57
Great – it works fine now. For some reason, page 8 is selectable but there’s nothing on it… funny glitch?
Sep 9, 2009
3472
Hehe you’re right! I have fixed it now.
Sep 9, 2009
4
That is so crazy! Ms.Vitale’s comment made me laugh really hard! Here in the US everyone asks for tap water even in the fanciest restaurants. Restaurants should provide tap water they’re already charging you for the food and the atmosphere. I’m pretty sure they can afford to give away a few glasses of water.
Sep 9, 2009
3472
Great! Thanks for sharing the perspective from another country!
Sep 11, 2009
1
Little Bali n Gillman Village.
we asked iced water but not available.
my 2 years old dauger was also rejected to have iced water! I complained but they kept saying ” company Policy”
I’ll never go back there again as service is also questionable.
Sep 11, 2009
3472
Someone else complained about Little Bali/Villa Bali, too. I have linked your comment from my list. Thanks for sharing :)
Sep 11, 2009
6
Yesterday I went to the Old Town Coffee at Toa Payoh branch for some toasts.
just for the fun of it, i asked the waiter, AFTER i have placed the order to get me a glass of iced water. He put my order back on the table, and start to scroll down to the drink section and said to me, “its 50 cents per glass”.
i smiled and said, sure, get me one. :P
and this after i have ordered
ice coffee $2
toast $cant remember (its less than $5)
Soft-boiled eggs $2
assam laksa $5
Sep 11, 2009
3472
and this after they charge 10% for service, too.
Sep 17, 2009
1
Went to Chen Fu Ji Grains at The Central this evening. When the bill arrived, I found that they had charged $0.50 per glass of water + a 10% service charge. After complaining that the $0.50 charge for the water was never mentioned or written on the menu, they offered to refund the money.
Sep 17, 2009
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Glad they refunded the money in the end. But still…
… Added. Thanks :)
Sep 18, 2009
24
Hi Veron: I notice u’ve put No service charge against the Hot Tomato item which I contributed. I’ve found my bill and there’s a service charge of 10% + 7% GST. Not sure where u got the info re no service charge? Thanks!
Sep 18, 2009
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I saw someone’s review on the same restaurant and he mentioned there’s no service charge. Looks like the service charge was introduced only later on. Have amended my list.
Sep 24, 2009
3
When i went Lerk Thai at Woodlands Civics Centre last year, they did not serve water. However, few months ago, Lerk Thai at Whitesands, Marina Square served me water when i went. They might have changed the policy already.
Sep 25, 2009
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If so, that is certainly good news! I am a big fan of Lerk Thai. But their water policy seems inconsistent. From my experience, they had served water all along until a few months back. The last time I went to the Marina Square branch was probably in April or May and they didn’t serve water then.
Sep 27, 2009
6
Ebisboshi Shotengai @ Iluma doesn’t serve free water as well. =D
Sep 27, 2009
3472
Added. If I’m not wrong, this place bears a similar concept as Marché and Shokudo right (ie. many eateries/stalls under the same roof)? In that case do they still levy service charges?
Sep 27, 2009
6
hmm yep. If I didn’t remember wrongly, there’s still service charge. Well, at least the waiters do serve you. unlike Marché.
Sep 29, 2009
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Thanks for sharing!