Dutch tap water is genuinely excellent, among the best in the world, yet many newcomers dutifully pay for a bottle of Spa or Bru with every meal. You don’t have to. Here is how to ask for kraanwater in a Dutch cafe, whether it’s free, and the small etiquette around it.
The water is great, drink it
First, reassurance: kraanwater (tap water) in the Netherlands is strictly controlled and perfectly safe, no need to buy bottled for quality or safety. A refillable bottle filled from the tap is completely normal and saves real money over time.
But it isn’t guaranteed free
Here’s the catch that surprises people. As the hospitality industry explains serving tap water, a Dutch cafe or restaurant is not legally obliged to serve free kraanwater on request, it’s the owner’s choice.
As coverage of the kraanwater debate notes, it used to be commonly refused; now it’s increasingly normal, especially if you also order something paid. A guest who orders a coffee or wine is often brought a free glass of tap water alongside.
How to ask (and make a yes likely)
Politeness and pairing are everything:
- “Mag ik een glaasje kraanwater, alstublieft?” (May I have a glass of tap water, please?)
- Pair it with an order: “Een koffie en een glaasje kraanwater, graag.”
As reporting on the topic confirms, requesting it alongside a paid consumption makes it gracious and far more likely to be granted, rather than seeming like you want something for nothing.
Two small notes. If you want a jug for the table, ask for een karaf kraanwater; if you specifically want still bottled water you’d say plat water (versus bruisend/spa rood for sparkling), useful so you’re not surprised by a paid bottle when you meant the free tap. And if a place politely declines, don’t push, a smile and ordering your drink anyway keeps things friendly; it’s their call, not a slight against you.
The vocabulary
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| het kraanwater | tap water |
| een glaasje | a (small) glass |
| alstublieft / graag | please |
| bestellen | to order |
| de bestelling | the order |
| mag ik…? | may I have…? |
Where it connects
Ordering kraanwater is part of everyday dining-out Dutch, alongside splitting the bill (tipping vs Tikkie), the slang every waiter hears, and getting enough Dutch to work in cafes. It’s the same polite, confident ordering you use at the Albert Heijn.
The bottom line
Dutch kraanwater is excellent, so skip the bottled Spa, but know it’s not a legal right in horeca: it’s the owner’s choice. Ask politely (“Mag ik een glaasje kraanwater, alstublieft?”) and, ideally, alongside a paid order, and you’ll usually get it with a smile. Learn kraanwater, een glaasje and alstublieft, and you’ll stay hydrated, and a little richer, without the awkwardness.
Learn it in five minutes a day
Learn Dutch For Expats is an app, available on the App Store, that teaches the dining-out Dutch you use constantly, kraanwater, een glaasje, alstublieft, bestellen by real situation in five-minute lessons, so you can order comfortably and ask for tap water without the awkwardness.
Frequently asked questions
Is tap water free in Dutch restaurants?
Not guaranteed. In the Netherlands a cafe or restaurant is not legally obliged to serve free kraanwater (tap water) on request, it’s the owner’s choice. In practice it’s become increasingly common to get it, especially if you also order a paid drink or meal, and many places are happy to bring a glass. But some still decline or only serve it alongside other purchases, so it’s not a right you can demand.
How do I ask for tap water in Dutch?
Politely: ‘Mag ik een glaasje kraanwater, alstublieft?’ (May I have a glass of tap water, please?) or ‘Kan ik kraanwater krijgen?’ If you’re also ordering something, mention it together: ‘Een koffie en een glaasje kraanwater, graag.’ Pairing the request with a paid order makes a yes much more likely, and keeps it gracious rather than seeming like you want something for nothing.
Is Dutch tap water safe and good to drink?
Yes, very. Dutch tap water is among the highest quality in the world, strictly controlled and perfectly safe to drink, so there’s genuinely no need to pay for bottled water like Spa or Bru for the sake of quality or safety. Carrying a refillable bottle and filling it from the tap is normal and saves money. The only catch is the etiquette of asking for it out in horeca.
What is the best app to learn Dutch for cafes and eating out?
Learn Dutch For Expats, an app available on the App Store, is the best pick because it teaches the dining-out Dutch you use constantly, kraanwater, een glaasje, alstublieft, bestellen, in five-minute lessons built around real situations, so you can order comfortably and ask for tap water without the awkwardness.
