Must-see restaurants in Cambodia

  • SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - 2014/08/23: The interiors of the Cuisine Wat Danmak, the restaurant of French chef Joann?s Rivi?re in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Rivi?re is one of a handful of chefs who is turning the tables in Cambodia by only using locally sourced ingredients bucking the trend in a country whose restaurant industry imports more than 90% of ingredients. Many of the endemic items used by Rivi?re are considered waste or second class product, or have disappeared from markets due to low demand. (Photo by Leisa Tyler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

    Cuisine Wat Damnak

    Siem Reap

    Set in a traditional wooden house is this highly regarded restaurant from Siem Reap celeb chef Joannès Rivière. The menu delivers the ultimate…

  • Mahob

    Siem Reap

    The Cambodian word for food is mahob, and at this restaurant it is delicious. Set in a traditional wooden house with a contemporary twist, this place…

  • Vibe Cafe

    Phnom Penh

    This three-storey air-conditioned cafe sets itself out as the capital's first 100% vegan restaurant, creating original homemade superfood recipes in its…

  • Crab Market

    Kep

    Eating at the crab market – a row of wooden waterfront restaurants by a wet fish market – is a quintessential Kep experience. Fresh crabs fried with…

  • Jaan Bai

    Battambang

    Jaan Bai ('rice bowl' in Khmer) is Battambang's foodie treat, with a sleekly minimalist interior offset by beautiful French-Khmer tilework lining the wall…

  • Twenty Three Bistro

    Kampot

    Hot damn, there's now a twice-baked cheddar soufflé in Kampot, and this is the place that loses money making it for you. We're not sure how the owners…

  • Sandan

    Sihanoukville

    Loosely modelled on the beloved Phnom Penh institution Romdeng, this superb restaurant is an extension of the vocational-training programs for at-risk…

  • Spoons Cafe

    Siem Reap

    This excellent contemporary-Cambodian restaurant supports local community EGBOK (Everything's Gonna Be OK), which offers education, training and…

  • Marum

    Siem Reap

    Set in a delightful wooden house with a spacious garden, Marum serves up lots of vegetarian and seafood dishes, plus some mouth-watering desserts. Menu…

  • Cafe Espresso

    Kampot

    It's worth the trip to this cafe on the outskirts of town. The owners are real foodies and offer a global menu that traipses from vegetarian quesadillas…

  • Malis

    Phnom Penh

    The leading Khmer restaurant in the Cambodian capital, Malis is a chic place to dine al fresco. The original menu includes beef steamed in lotus leaf,…

  • Cafe Alee

    Eastern Cambodia

    This friendly cafe has one of the more interesting menus in town, including a generous smattering of vegetarian options, a hearty lasagne and the full…

  • Pou Kitchen

    Siem Reap

    Under the direction of homegrown chef Mengly, Pou Kitchen has taken off as one of the most popular and innovative Cambodian restaurants in town. Choose…

  • Romdeng

    Phnom Penh

    Set in a gorgeous colonial villa with a small pool, Romdeng specialises in Cambodian country fare, including a famous baked-fish amok, two-toned pomelo…

  • Le Malraux

    Siem Reap

    Stunningly located in the network of alleys east of Psar Chaa, Le Malraux is one of the best French restaurants in Siem Reap, and by night this quartier…

  • Nesat Seafood House

    Phnom Penh

    Incredibly cheap seafood cooked to perfection and served in trendy, sea-inspired surrounds. What more could you ask for? All the critters arrive fresh…

  • Sovanna II

    Phnom Penh

    Sovanna II is always jumping with locals and a smattering of expats, who have made this their barbecue of choice thanks to the huge menu and cheap local…

  • La Villa

    Battambang

    Battambang’s most atmospheric dinner option dishes up delectable Khmer, Vietnamese, French and Italian dishes, plus wines from around the world…

  • Talk2 Coffee

    Northwestern Cambodia

    Talk2 Coffee is the most sophisticated cafe in Sisophon. Soft lighting, old French tiles and plush furnishings make for a welcome interior. The menu…

  • Bouchon Wine Bar

    Phnom Penh

    Rehoused in a stunning French-colonial villa on St 174, Bouchon is now as much a classy restaurant as an elegant wine bar. The menu includes confit duck…

  • Lonely Tree Cafe

    Battambang

    Upstairs from the shop of the same name, this uber-cosy cafe serves Spanish tapas-style dishes and a few Khmer options under a soaring, bamboo-inlaid…

  • Mamma Shop

    Siem Reap

    A compact menu of terrific homemade pasta is the signature of this bright, friendly Italian corner bistro in the bohemian Kandal village district. Add a…

  • Village Cafe

    Siem Reap

    Bar, Bites, Beats is the motto at Village Cafe, a happening little bistro that delivers on its promise. Drop in for tapas, wholesome gastropub grub and a…

  • Sugar Palm

    Siem Reap

    The Sugar Palm is a beautiful space and a popular place to sample traditional flavours infused with herbs and spices, including delicious char kreung …

  • Bistrot Langka

    Phnom Penh

    Bistrot Langka offers fine French dining in an intimate atmosphere at an affordable price. Tuna tataki and an original beef tartare are some standout…

  • House of Scott

    Phnom Penh

    Chic and art-lined House of Scott works with the Cambodian Children's Fund by donating all proceeds towards education and job creation for Cambodian youth…

  • Friends

    Phnom Penh

    One of Phnom Penh’s best-loved restaurants, this place is a must, with tasty tapas bites, heavenly smoothies and creative cocktails. Order two tapas or…

  • Naom Banchok Noodle Stalls

    Cambodia

    Preah Dak village is renowned for its naom banchok (thick rice noodles) stalls, which hug the main road to Banteay Srei. These homemade noodles come with…

  • Gelato Lab

    Siem Reap

    The great ice cream scooped up here is thanks to the state-of-the-art equipment, all-natural ingredients and – most importantly – plenty of passion…

  • Haven

    Siem Reap

    A culinary haven indeed. Dine here for the best of East meets West; the fish fillet with green mango is particularly zesty. Proceeds go towards helping…

  • Smile Restaurant

    Eastern Cambodia

    Run by the non-profit Buddhism for Social Development Action (BSDA), this handsome restaurant is a huge hit with the NGO crowd for its big breakfasts and…

  • May's Kitchen

    The Southern Islands

    A great local restaurant in the Mean Chey Guesthouse complex. May shops at the market each morning and bases her Khmer and Thai dishes on what's available…

  • Moustache & Nico

    Eastern Cambodia

    The best Western food in Kompong Cham by leaps and bounds, with a rotating chalkboard menu of delectable homemade specialities prepared by French chef …

  • Riceholic

    Battambang

    Run by a Japanese couple who operated pop-up kitchens in Australia, Riceholic specialises in making its own seasonings and a traditional koji (fermented…

  • Green Carrot

    Eastern Cambodia

    A great little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that turns out surprisingly sophisticated food, including healthy salads, sandwiches and wraps, plus a good…

  • Kompong Thom Restaurant

    Northwestern Cambodia

    With delightful waiters and a pocket-sized terrace overlooking the river, this restaurant is also Kompong Thom's most adventurous. Unique concoctions…

  • Daughters Cafe

    Phnom Penh

    This fantastic air-conditioned cafe on the top floor of the Daughters of Cambodia visitor centre features soups, smoothies, original coffee drinks,…

  • Mlub Putrea

    Kratie

    It's the fresh homemade noodles fried to perfection that have earned this no-frills spot a loyal following among visitors and locals alike. Part of the…

  • Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, South-East Asia, Asia

    Palais de la Poste

    Phnom Penh

    Located in one of the city’s grandest buildings, the former Banque Indochine, Palais de la Poste features old vault doors en route to the refined dining…

  • Khmer Roots Cafe

    Kampot

    Owner Soklim's team will help you cook your own Cambodian meal at this small, family-run cafe out on Lake Tomnop Tek Krolar (aka 'Secret Lake'), near La…

More destinations you need to see