Is ordering tap water in a restaurant rude?

We only have water with our meals- it's not rude at all.

The taste of other drinks can spoil the taste of the food- especially thouse riddled with sweeteners.

It's not that it's right to waste food, but you are using a table that could have been used by someone buying a full sized meal. Obviously if it's a quiet place with spare tables it is different to them turning away other customers

Yes this IMO

If you are ordering a meal then it's fine to order tap water though I think it's very cheeky ordering a child's meal as an adult!

Server here. We don't think it's rude to just order a tap water and a kids meal, but we chat with our colleagues and call these people cheap bastards 😂

So she's eating alone?

Most places offer water for the table, not rude at all.

I always order tap. Anything to reduce the appalling food miles bottled water incurs.

We always order tap water even at expensive places as we can’t justify paying for water. It especially annoys me when the waiter says “ still or sparkling” without offering tap water as an option (I guess that’s how they get you).

I may or may not order other drinks

@TigerOnTour
No
Absolutely not

Why should it be,

Aslong as you are buying something to eat whether a snack or a starter or main meal or dessert 🍨,

Whats the issue? L.o.l

I allways do it no problem

Of course it's not rude if that's what she wants to drink. I'd say it's normal to order tw for the table as a matter of course when out for a meal.
Some people do prefer bottled and of course the restaurant would make more money and waiters get more tip if you ordered bottled water and lots of wine. But it's hardly rude, especially as you clearly order other drinks yourself.
If a restaurant was funny or considered me rude for requesting tap water I wouldn't want to use them at all.
As for having a small appetite, well she can't really help that. Why would she order some big meal that'll just get thrown away. To try and make sure she doesn't look rude or tight in front of waiters or her friend?
If I was her I'd feel horrible if I was being judged in this way.

Depends, tap water with a meal no not rude and most restaurants provide water for the table as standard anyway. Ordering just tap water is rude.
I often order tap water with a meal if I'm not drinking alcohol because that's honestly what I prefer to drink with food, not keen on coke etc.

Restaurant Manager here, absolutely not rude at all and the servers don't even think twice about it. I've always been told to offer Water automatically especially to Families!

I always order tap water - prefer it and more eco than bottled. But I always order proper meals too - that is the issue here. Maybe you need to go somewhere else together as she’s clearly not that into food

I think it’s fine as long as it’s not the only thing she is ordering, the other things can be either food or drink.
a coke may not be expensive but if she doesn’t want a coke why should she order it and if she wants to have water then tap water is perfectly decent and better for the environment.

I hate coke and much prefer tap water at room temperature to any other soft drink. I’ve never managed to find a soft drink worth paying for.

Presumably you are ordering a full meal and a drink so the restaurant will be in profit, exactly the same as if you had been eating with your child rather than another adult

I am always ordering tap water - surely refilling a jug is more environmentally friendly, than producing/disposing a bottle. But, the post is not actually about the water, it is about your friend and spending habits. If she frequents the place multiple times a week, I think that is ok and not "cheap".

I'm not sure, I just think it's cheeky to use a restaurant's seating and facilities but not pay for a meal. Because what OP has described isn't a meal.

But she is with you. Or should single people not go to a restaurant as they are taking up a table which could be taken by a couple?

If you are there and eating too, then anything she eats is a bonus on a single person table, isn't it?

And I can't remember the last time I was in a restaurant and all the tables were full anyway.

I am sure they are just glad of the custom.

But I can't help thinking that you real motivation is not concern for the restaurant owners, but just that is pisses you off that she has a small appetite.

BTW where I used to live a restaurant opened that only served starters, as they had noticed that lots of women ordered a couple or several starters rather than a main. A bit like tapas or mezze eating. So it can't be that unusual.

Wtf. Don't drink it if you don't want it but why on earth is drinking water rude. I do it. I don't like fizzy drinks and it'd be ridiculous to pay for bottled water when I can just drink normal water

Your friend is rich because she orders tap water.

Ordering just a kids meal or starter and a tap water is cheap and embarrassing. Ordering a proper meal and a tap water is absolutely fine.

I was in a cafe once when a woman came in and asked for 4 glasses of tap water she bought nothing else and took them outside for her family to drink on an outside table, this is rude.
Asking for tap water with food you have paid for is not rude.

I think ordering tap water or a side dish if you're not hungry is okay, but doing both does seem a bit off.

I think pps who talk about ordering tap water alongside other drinks are missing the point. I don't think anyone has an issue with that. It's going out and only spending £8 or whatever on a side dish and nothing else that is the issue.

I don't like fizzy drinks or fizzy water.
Tap water is fine for me.