Best Restaurants & Cafes in Phnom Penh
Where should I eat in Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh's food scene is exploding. From Michelin-worthy Khmer fine dining to $1 street food, the capital offers extraordinary diversity at incredible prices. The cafe culture rivals Melbourne, with specialty coffee roasters on every corner of BKK1. Whether you're after authentic Cambodian flavors or international comfort food, Phnom Penh delivers.
- BKK1 has the highest density of quality restaurants — you could eat here for a month without repeating
- Lunch is the best value — many upscale restaurants offer set lunches at 40-50% of dinner prices
- Cambodian iced coffee (kopi tuk koh) is made with condensed milk — order "black coffee" if you want it without
- Tipping is not expected but appreciated — round up or leave $1 at restaurants
Overview
Phnom Penh's food scene is exploding. From Michelin-worthy Khmer fine dining to $1 street food, the capital offers extraordinary diversity at incredible prices. The cafe culture rivals Melbourne, with specialty coffee roasters on every corner of BKK1. Whether you're after authentic Cambodian flavors or international comfort food, Phnom Penh delivers.
The city's dining landscape has transformed in the last decade. A new generation of Cambodian chefs is reimagining Khmer cuisine, while the expat community has driven an international food boom. BKK1 is the dining epicenter, but Toul Tom Poung and Riverside have their own distinctive food characters.
🍽️ Best Restaurants
Cuisine Wat Damnak
Chef Joannès Rivière's acclaimed restaurant serving set Khmer tasting menus that change weekly. Uses local ingredients in innovative ways.
Must try: Weekly changing tasting menu
Romdeng
Social enterprise restaurant in a colonial villa. Famous for tarantula fritters and beautifully prepared Khmer classics. Trains former street youth.
Must try: Tarantula fritters, Fish amok
Malis
Cambodia's most famous chef, Luu Meng, serves refined Khmer cuisine in an elegant garden setting. A must for special occasions.
Must try: Kampot pepper crab
Yi Sang
Local favorite for Chinese-Cambodian fusion in a no-frills setting. Incredible dim sum on weekends and clay pot dishes.
Must try: Dim sum, Clay pot rice
Farm to Table
Organic cafe-restaurant using locally sourced ingredients. Excellent salads, smoothie bowls, and grain bowls.
Must try: Buddha bowl, Fresh juices
Lot 369
Trendy restaurant making elevated street food. Hugely popular with young Cambodians for its Instagram-worthy Khmer dishes.
Must try: Lok lak, Nom banh chok
Topaz
Phnom Penh's premier French restaurant with an award-winning wine list. Colonial atmosphere and impeccable service.
Must try: Duck confit, Crème brûlée
Kroeung Cambodia
Authentic home-style Khmer cooking in a casual setting. The kind of food Cambodian grandmothers make. Outstanding value.
Must try: Samlor korko (mixed vegetable soup)
☕ Best Cafes
Compound
The original BKK1 specialty coffee pioneer. Industrial-chic space with excellent flat whites and creative coworking area.
Policy Coffee
Showcasing Cambodian specialty coffee from Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri. Sleek design, knowledgeable baristas.
Sinouk Coffee
Cambodian coffee chain supporting local farmers. Multiple locations with reliable WiFi and comfortable seating.
Blue Pumpkin
Beloved Cambodian bakery chain famous for pastries and ice cream. The upstairs lounge with floor cushions is an institution.
TRIBE
Health-focused cafe with matcha lattes, superfood smoothies, and excellent brunch. Popular with the fitness crowd.
🥘 Street Food Hotspots
Russian Market (Toul Tom Poung)
Num pang (Cambodian baguettes), fresh fruit shakes
Street 155/450 intersection
Central Market (Phsar Thmei)
Bai sach chrouk (pork & rice), noodle soups
Central Phnom Penh
Street 278 Night Food Stalls
Grilled meats, fried noodles, fresh seafood
BKK1 evening
Riverside Night Market
Mixed Khmer snacks, BBQ, fruit
Sisowath Quay
💡 Tips
- • BKK1 has the highest density of quality restaurants — you could eat here for a month without repeating
- • Lunch is the best value — many upscale restaurants offer set lunches at 40-50% of dinner prices
- • Cambodian iced coffee (kopi tuk koh) is made with condensed milk — order "black coffee" if you want it without
- • Tipping is not expected but appreciated — round up or leave $1 at restaurants
- • Street food is safe in busy areas with high turnover — eat where locals eat
- • Delivery apps (Nham24, Grab Food) cover most restaurants if you're staying in
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore more Cambodian food: Complete Food Guide →
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