Best Restaurants & Cafes in Siem Reap
Where should I eat in Siem Reap?
Siem Reap's food scene punches well above its weight for a small town. Social enterprise restaurants, Khmer cooking classes, and a thriving cafe culture built around the temple tourism industry. The Kandal Village area is emerging as a foodie destination, while Old Market and Pub Street remain the go-to for variety.
- Skip Pub Street restaurants — the food is mediocre and overpriced. Walk 2 blocks in any direction for better options
- Book a Khmer cooking class ($15-25) — Lily's Secret Garden and Le Tigre de Papier are excellent
- Kandal Village has the best cafe scene — explore on foot for specialty coffee and brunch
- Social enterprise restaurants (Haven, Marum) offer great food while supporting youth training
Overview
Siem Reap's food scene punches well above its weight for a small town. Social enterprise restaurants, Khmer cooking classes, and a thriving cafe culture built around the temple tourism industry. The Kandal Village area is emerging as a foodie destination, while Old Market and Pub Street remain the go-to for variety.
Siem Reap dining is shaped by tourism, but in the best way — competition has driven quality up while prices remain low. Several restaurants operate as social enterprises, training disadvantaged youth in hospitality. The cooking class scene is also excellent, with hands-on Khmer cuisine classes starting from $15.
🍽️ Best Restaurants
Cuisine Wat Damnak
The original location of Cambodia's most acclaimed restaurant. Weekly changing Khmer tasting menu with local ingredients.
Must try: Set tasting menu
Haven
Swiss-run social enterprise training former street youth. Beautiful garden setting, excellent Western and Khmer dishes.
Must try: Khmer curry, Swiss rösti
Embassy
Upscale restaurant in a colonial villa with creative Asian cuisine. Beautiful cocktail bar and atmospheric courtyard.
Must try: Tasting plate, Creative cocktails
Pou Kitchen
Authentic Khmer home cooking at local prices. No frills but exceptional flavors. Loved by residents and in-the-know travelers.
Must try: Fish amok, Morning glory
Bugs Cafe
Unique restaurant specializing in insect-based cuisine. Tarantula doughnuts, cricket pasta, and scorpion cocktails.
Must try: Tarantula doughnut
Marum
Another excellent social enterprise restaurant. Creative menu, beautiful garden, and training program for youth.
Must try: Tree ant stir-fry
☕ Best Cafes
Little Red Fox Espresso
Tiny hole-in-the-wall serving Siem Reap's best specialty coffee. Australian-trained baristas.
Sister Srey Cafe
Social enterprise cafe supporting local women. Beautiful riverside garden, excellent brunch, and Cambodian coffee.
Crane Coffee
Cambodian-owned specialty roaster showcasing local beans. Modern space with excellent pour-over and cold brew.
🥘 Street Food Hotspots
Old Market Food Stalls
Nom banh chok (noodle soup), bai sach chrouk
Inside Psar Chas
Night Market Food Court
Lok lak, Khmer BBQ, fried insects
Night Market
Siem Reap Art Center Night Market
Grilled seafood, noodle soups
Sivutha area
💡 Tips
- • Skip Pub Street restaurants — the food is mediocre and overpriced. Walk 2 blocks in any direction for better options
- • Book a Khmer cooking class ($15-25) — Lily's Secret Garden and Le Tigre de Papier are excellent
- • Kandal Village has the best cafe scene — explore on foot for specialty coffee and brunch
- • Social enterprise restaurants (Haven, Marum) offer great food while supporting youth training
- • Pre-temple breakfast: ask your hotel for a packed breakfast box for 4:30am sunrise departures
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore more Cambodian food: Complete Food Guide →
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