Eating in Siem Reap
Siem Reap's food scene punches far above its weight. Beyond the tourist traps of Pub Street lies an extraordinary culinary landscape: from $1 noodle soups at the Old Market to world-class modern Khmer cuisine at Cuisine Wat Damnak. The city offers some of the best-value dining in Southeast Asia, with authentic Cambodian flavors, French-influenced bistros, and innovative fusion restaurants.
Must-Try Dishes in Siem Reap
- Fish Amok – Cambodia's national dish. Best at Mahob Khmer or Sugar Palm ($4–8)
- Kuy Teav – Breakfast noodle soup. Best at Old Market stalls ($1–2)
- Lok Lak – Stir-fried beef with lime-pepper sauce. Available everywhere ($3–6)
- Khmer BBQ – Tabletop grilling with meat, seafood, and vegetables ($5–10)
- Bai Sach Chrouk – Grilled pork with rice, the perfect breakfast ($1.50–2.50)
- Nom Banh Chok – Khmer noodles with green curry sauce, a morning market staple ($1–2)
Street Food & Markets
Old Market (Phsar Chas)
6 AM – 6 PM
Kuy teav, grilled meats, fresh fruit
Night Market
5 PM – midnight
BBQ skewers, fried insects, smoothies
Made in Cambodia Market
12 PM – 10 PM
Local crafts + food stalls, organic coffee
Street 60 Night Food Stalls
5 PM – 11 PM
Local BBQ, noodle soups, grilled seafood
Pro Tip
Top Restaurants
Haven
Khmer & International • Svay Dangkum
Social enterprise training hospitality students. Excellent Khmer fusion.
Cuisine Wat Damnak
Modern Khmer • Wat Damnak area
Chef Joannès Rivière reinvents Khmer classics with a French twist. Tasting menu.
Mahob Khmer
Traditional Khmer • Old Market area
Authentic Cambodian flavors in a beautiful traditional setting.
Genevieve's
Khmer & Western • Street 26
Popular with expats, excellent amok and daily specials.
Sugar Palm
Traditional Khmer • Street 27
Run by a Cambodian chef. Kampot pepper crab is legendary.
Sister Srey Café
Café & Brunch • Old Market
Social enterprise with great coffee and healthy brunch options.
Fine Dining
Siem Reap has a surprisingly sophisticated fine dining scene, driven by international chefs drawn to Cambodia's incredible ingredients:
- Cuisine Wat Damnak – 6-course Khmer tasting menu ($27). Regularly ranked among Asia's best restaurants
- Embassy – Upscale Angkor-inspired cuisine in a colonial villa ($20–40)
- Malis – Celebrity chef Luu Meng's contemporary Khmer restaurant ($15–30)
Even fine dining in Siem Reap is remarkably affordable by international standards—a world-class tasting menu costs what a mid-range dinner would in Bangkok or Singapore.
Pub Street Dining
Pub Street is Siem Reap's most famous food and nightlife strip. While atmospheric, the restaurants here are tourist-focused with marked-up prices:
- Prices: 30–50% higher than surrounding streets
- Quality: Average. Many serve generic "Asian fusion" rather than authentic Khmer
- Best for: Atmosphere, cheap draft beer ($0.50), people-watching
- Avoid: The identical-looking restaurants with aggressive touts
Better Alternative
Cooking Classes
Siem Reap has the most cooking class options in Cambodia:
- Lily's Secret Garden ($20–25) – Market tour + 4 dishes. Most popular option
- Le Tigre de Papier ($15–20) – Pub Street location, beginner-friendly
- Sojourn Boutique Villas ($35) – Farm-to-table experience with garden ingredients
- Airbnb Experiences ($15–30) – Various local hosts with home cooking experiences
Most classes run 3–4 hours, include a market tour, and you eat everything you cook. Full cooking class guide →
Food Prices
| Type | Price Range | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Street food | $1–3 | Old Market, Night Market |
| Local restaurant | $3–7 | Side streets, local areas |
| Tourist restaurant | $5–12 | Pub Street, Old Market area |
| Fine dining | $15–40 | Wat Damnak, Sivatha Blvd |
| Draft beer | $0.50–1 | Pub Street (happy hour) |
| Iced coffee | $1–2.50 | Cafés throughout |
Siem Reap Food FAQ
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