Why You Should Stop Ordering Lemon Water at Restaurants

For many people, lemon water feels like the healthier, lighter alternative to soda. It’s refreshing, it’s simple, and it’s usually free. But here’s the truth that most restaurants will never admit:

Lemon water is one of the dirtiest, least hygienic drinks you can order.

Multiple studies and industry insiders have revealed that the lemon slices dropped casually into your glass carry far more than a tangy flavor—they can carry bacteria, viruses, and grime you definitely don’t want.

Let’s break down the biggest reasons you should think twice before asking for “water with lemon.”

1. Those Lemon Slices Are Almost Never Washed

Many people assume restaurants treat lemons like any other ingredient: washed, sanitized, and prepped safely.

The reality?

Most lemons are sliced straight from the box and tossed into drinks unwashed.

Lemons travel through multiple dirty hands—farm workers, transporters, distributors, kitchen staff—and they collect everything along the way:

• Dirt
• Pesticides
• Bacteria
• Mold spores

And since the peel touches your drink, all of that can end up floating right in your water.

2. Cross-Contamination Is Almost Guaranteed

Restaurants move fast. During a rush, employees aren’t carefully swapping gloves every time they switch tasks.

A server might:

• Handle raw meat
• Grab a dirty plate
• Process payment
• Wipe a table
• …then immediately slice your lemon

No handwashing. No sanitation. No barrier.

And that means whatever was on their hands is now in your drinking glass.

3. Lemons Sit Out at Room Temperature for Hours

Those pretty tubs of lemon wedges sitting behind the bar or near the drink station?

They’re often:

• Unrefrigerated
• Exposed to air
• Touched by multiple people
• Sitting for hours

Warm, exposed fruit is the perfect breeding ground for:

• E. coli
• Salmonella
• Candida
• Staph

One study found that nearly 70% of lemon wedges in restaurants tested positive for bacteria—even after being placed into a drink.

4. Drink Garnishes Are One of the Least Regulated Food Items

Food safety regulations are strict when it comes to meats, dairy, and cooked dishes.

But garnishes?

They slip through the cracks.

There’s no universal standard requiring:

• Washing citrus
• Refrigerating cut wedges
• Changing them frequently
• Using gloves
• Storing them away from contaminants

This is why garnishes are consistently found to be one of the dirtiest parts of a restaurant kitchen.

5. The Cutting Boards & Knives Aren’t Always Clean Either

Even if your lemon is washed (and most aren’t), the cleanliness of the tools that cut it matters just as much.

Cutting boards are often used for:

• Vegetables
• Bread
• Raw chicken
• Raw fish

The same knife that sliced raw poultry may slice your lemon five minutes later.

And unless the kitchen follows strict sanitation—many don’t—the contamination transfers directly into your drink.

6. Lemon Water Can Erode Your Teeth Over Time

Even if the lemon were perfectly clean, there’s another hidden downside:

Acid. Lots of it.

Lemon juice is extremely acidic, and frequent exposure can:

• Erode tooth enamel
• Increase sensitivity
• Damage dental work

Drinking acidic beverages slowly wears away the protective layer on your teeth. Dentists often advise minimizing lemon water—especially when sipped over long meals.

7. It Doesn’t Offer the Health Benefits People Think It Does

Many believe lemon water detoxifies the body or boosts metabolism.

The truth:

Your kidneys detox your body.
Your liver detoxes your body.
Lemon water does not.

Yes, it adds vitamin C—but not enough to make a major difference.

So when you weigh the minimal benefit against the high contamination risk…
it’s just not worth it.

So What Should You Order Instead?

If you still want something light and refreshing:

✔️ Plain water

The safest choice. Most restaurants filter or purify their water.

✔️ Soda water / sparkling water

Served directly from sealed systems.

✔️ Ask for bottled water

A little pricier—but far cleaner.

✔️ Bring your own flavoring packets

If you want citrus, this is the most hygienic option.

Final Verdict: Skip the Lemon

Lemon water seems harmless, even healthy. But behind the scenes, it’s one of the riskiest beverage choices in any restaurant.

Between the bacteria-covered rinds, poorly washed hands, and cross-contaminated cutting boards, a lemon wedge can carry more germs than the menu, the table, and even the bathroom door.

So next time the server asks if you want lemon in your water?

Just say no.

Your stomach—and your immune system—will thank you.