Water: the Last Blind Spot of Fine Dining
In a fine-dining restaurant, nothing is left to chance: the origin of the butter, the ageing of the cheese, the vintage of the wine. Yet water — the first product placed on the table and the one every guest will drink throughout the meal — is often chosen by default, based on the distributor’s price.
This is a missed opportunity. Water plays a role in taste: it cleanses the palate between bites, accompanies wine and hydrates without overpowering. Water that is too highly mineralised can feel heavy, while chlorinated or strongly flavoured water can undermine the subtlety of a dish. By contrast, pure, balanced water elegantly takes a back seat to the cuisine — exactly as it should.
Four Criteria for an Exceptional Table Water
Minerality comes first. It is the most important criterion at the table. Low-mineral water (with a dry residue below 500 mg/L) feels light on the palate and remains neutral alongside food and wine, without overwhelming the taste buds over the course of a meal. 808 natural mineral water has a dry residue of 244 mg/L and a pH of 7.6 — the kind of balance sommeliers look for.
Purity comes next. The purity of water is closely linked to its origin. Drawn from a depth of 808 metres at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire mountain and protected for thousands of years within its aquifer, 808 water contains 0 nitrates and 0 PFAS — two indicators that increasingly discerning guests now know to look for on a label.
The right level of sparkle. A single sparkling water is no longer enough: carbonation can be chosen like a pairing. Fine and subtle bubbles complement fish and delicate dishes, while more intense carbonation works well with meat, richer dishes or as an aperitif.
And finally, glass. A glass bottle is about more than appearance: it preserves the taste of the water, reflects the environmental standards of exceptional establishments, and contributes to the presentation of the table — just like glassware or table linen.
Still, Lightly Sparkling or Sparkling: the Right Water at the Right Time
This is the principle around which 808 has built its range: three expressions, one source.
- Still water: the ideal companion throughout the meal, served cool but not ice-cold (10–12°C), so as not to dull the taste buds.
- Lightly sparkling water: delicate effervescence for subtle dishes, seafood, or guests who enjoy bubbles without too much intensity.
- Sparkling water: lively bubbles for aperitifs, meat dishes and more intense culinary moments.
All three are available in 75 cl glass bottles — the ideal format for the dining table — and in 40 cl bottles for lunch or the bar. Offering all three on the menu gives guests the same level of choice as they have with wine: a detail that immediately sets an establishment apart.
Water Service: the Practices of Leading Restaurants
In establishments serving 808, several practices stand out: presenting the bottle as you would a fine wine, describing its origin in a single sentence — “a natural mineral water drawn from a depth of 808 metres in Provence” — serving it in a dedicated glass, and refilling before the glass is empty.
Water then becomes part of the dining experience and a signature of the establishment: your guests will not find this water everywhere — and that is precisely the point.
This is the choice made by restaurants such as Le Chantecler at Hôtel Negresco in Nice, La Villa Madie in Cassis and Mirazur in Menton — discover the list of establishments serving 808.
In Summary
Choosing the water for your table means applying the same standards to water as you already do to everything else: light minerality that respects food and wine, impeccable and verifiable purity, a choice of carbonation levels to complement every moment, and a glass bottle worthy of the table setting. Exceptional water for an exceptional establishment.
Are you a chef, sommelier or hotelier? Let’s talk about your table: visit our Professionals page or call us on +33 (0)4 42 200 500, Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. For any questions about the composition or origin of 808 water, you can also visit our FAQ.