Once you've ordered your food I'm sure there's no big deal in getting (non-bottled) water in any establishment. If you just expect to sit at a table and not order anything else though, that would just be abusing their hospitality.

is all about margins... if you know you can get tap water for free you will probably not order bottled water (which, btw, together with coffe is where restaurants really laugh all the way to the bank...) and the margins will drop...

@ bartholomew, hospitality wears very thin once you spent a few late night waiting for the 2 chattering ladies in the corner of the restaurant ordering jug after jug "because it's free" to stop nattering without spending any money and off so you can lock up...

You can get it, but you may have to pay for the tap water. According to the article in 20 Minutes, one restaurant in Lausanne charges Sfr. 2.50 for a pitcher of water even if you order the daily menu.

As an restauranteur, wouldn't you rather I be drinking a nice bottle of wine, where you probably have a better margin than on bottled water?

As for the late nights, yes I totally agree with you. Hospitality goes two ways, meaning guests shouldn't abuse the privelege. All about manners really.

Which does that say more about -- the restaurants or the coffee?

nope, bottled water has higher markups (at least in my experience) and needs less care than a Chateau Margaux '82. Restaurant managers will always be happy if you only drink water and coffe, chef will always be happy if you only eat desserts...

Where do you get SFr13?? they say 21 upwards and excl veggie main courses the cheapest main course (only) is 31.

Yes, they make their profits from their drinks -- because clearly there's no profit margin in a CHF27- plate of pasta, a CHF12- salad and a CHF14- serving of ice cream.

Some how, the second I cross the border into France, restaurants can serve me comparable quality meals at 50% of the price, and a free carafe of water, and still manage to stay in business. By law, French restaurants are required to serve tap water on request. Amazingly, you can still find a seat at most restaurants -- they're not overflowing with free-water-swilling layabouts. They're ordering lunches, dinners, desserts, and (wait for it) drinks!

Yes, I know that labour costs are high in Switzerland. And rents are high. But a good, busy restaurant should not find its margins too seriously eroded by giving away a glass of tap water.

"Marginal costs," I hear you cry? "Overheads!"

Seriously, what's next? Per-use charges for the napkins?

If there's a real marginal cost, figure out what you average order size is and spread the cost. If the average bill per customer is CHF30- and the marginal cost of providing tap water is CHF0.50-, find a way to price your menu to bring the average bill per customer to CHF30.50. Your bottom line stays the same, your customers are happy.

Nickle-and-diming for everything in Swiss restaurants is what drives my spending across the border. Not such an easy choice if you live in Zurich, but for those of us here on the border, a very real alternative.

Salt and pepper cost money, the napkins cost money, if you visit the loo, that costs money, in fact, each fake smile by the waiter also costs money (as waiters are paid wages for their labor), so charge for everythingh, it is fair.

Ok, there are many countries where water and bathroom are never charged for, but hey, we are talking of Swissland, one of the most prosperous and developed countries

p.s. obviously I am referring to tap water taken as part of a meal. If we are talking of bottled water obviously it should be charged.

seriously though, is anyone really going to avoid a good restaurant because they charge you for tap water? I know I wouldn't...

Since there are so few in these parts, it does pose a dilemma.

ahhh... good point... what's the quality of tap water anyway? any good?

Maybe not outright avoid, but to me tap water is kind of a litmus test for how a restaurant is going to treat me. If I feel like I'm being fleeced before I've even gotten around to ordering, I don't feel comfortable. I like feeling comfortable when I sit down to eat, be it at home, at friends', or out. Incidentally, that feeling also tends to be what keeps me at the table (and ordering another round of drinks, dessert)...everybody's happy.

No, but I'll avoid the two-bit cafes/bars where I buy my lunches from and over the course of a year spend more money on than a once a month meal at a good restaurant. So there

any restaurant will always fleece you (especially around here... ) but bechmarking a restaurant according to the price of tap water may be a bit pushing it? I think there should be more important criteria...

But I see your point...

We voted for ban of smoking in public places and it will be effective soon..

We want to vote for free water in the restaurants... ??? lets wait.

We want to vote for free toilets in main train stations... ??? lets wait.

What else ???

I think the EF's ideas and initiatives sound convincing to the local authorities

Hhmmm. There's a potential business model here: Ryan Restaurants. Who's up for investing in it?

The law is quite clear, if the restaurant want to charge you for water, which they can, it needs to be made clear from the start; Either it is displayed clearly or they tell you when you order. If they do not, then you can refuse to pay, and please, don't start crying you can't understand the language, that's not their problem.

As the law states, there should be also 3 non alcoholic drinks that are CHEAPER than the cheapest alcoholic drink. Not many restaurants provide this service.

I vote for free beer
what's the chance of that?

Now, that I didn't know... what's the reasoning behind?