Where should I eat in Siem Reap?
Siem Reap has excellent dining from $1 street food to $35 tasting menus. Cuisine Wat Damnak is the top restaurant (Khmer tasting menu). The Old Market area has the best cafes and casual restaurants. Pub Street is lively but tourist-oriented. Street food at the night markets is cheap and fun.
- Best overall: Cuisine Wat Damnak (6-course Khmer tasting, $28-35)
- Best area: Old Market for cafes, Charles de Gaulle for dinner
- Street food: Old Market stalls, 60 Road Night Market ($1-3)
- Budget: $8-15/day | Mid-range: $20-35/day
Siem Reap Dining Overview
Siem Reap's restaurant scene punches well above its weight for a small city. As the gateway to Angkor Wat, it attracts millions of tourists annually, which has fueled a diverse dining scene ranging from award-winning fine dining to vibrant street food markets. The city's walkable center means most restaurants are within tuk-tuk or walking distance of each other.
The dining areas are distinct: Pub Street is the tourist party zone with cheap beer and loud music; Old Market (Phsar Chas) area has the best cafes and casual restaurants;Charles de Gaulle Boulevard has upscale dining; and the night marketsoffer street food and local atmosphere.
Most restaurants in Siem Reap close by 22:00-23:00. Pub Street bars stay open later (until 1:00-2:00 AM). Make dinner reservations at fine dining spots 2-3 days ahead during peak season (November-February).
Fine Dining Restaurants
Cuisine Wat Damnak
$28-35 (set menu)Cuisine: Modern Khmer (tasting menu)
Six-course Khmer tasting menu that changes weekly based on seasonal ingredients. French-Cambodian chef Joannès Rivière. Multiple international awards. Reservation essential — book 2-3 days ahead.
Embassy
$15-30Cuisine: Modern Khmer/International
Chef-driven restaurant in a beautiful colonial-era building. Creative Cambodian-inspired dishes with international techniques. Excellent wine list. Romantic dinner destination.
Haven
$8-18Cuisine: International/Fusion
Training restaurant supporting at-risk youth (like Romdeng in PP). Creative menu changes seasonally. Beautiful garden setting. Reservation recommended.
Marum
$6-14Cuisine: Innovative Khmer
Another Friends International restaurant. Creative use of local ingredients including insects. Ethical dining at its best. Great cocktails with Cambodian twists.
Pub Street Area
Pub Street is Siem Reap's famous pedestrianized party street. Loud, bright, and tourist-oriented, it is an experience in itself. Food here is decent but not the city's best — the real draw is the atmosphere and $0.50 draft beers during happy hour.
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amok Restaurant | Khmer | $4-10 | Popular for its namesake fish amok. Multiple Pub Street locations. Touristy but decent food. Great for first-timers wanting accessible Khmer dishes. |
| Khmer Kitchen | Khmer | $3-8 | Consistently good Khmer food at tourist-friendly prices. Lok lac and curry are reliable. Two locations on Pub Street. Gets crowded after 19:00. |
| Angkor Palm | Khmer/International | $4-12 | Upstairs balcony seating overlooking Pub Street. Mix of Khmer and Western dishes. Good cocktails. Nice spot for people-watching. |
| The Red Piano | International/Bar | $5-12 | Historic bar (Angelina Jolie drank here during Tomb Raider filming). Good bar food, pizza, and cocktails. More about the atmosphere than the food. |
Old Market Area
Sister Srey Cafe
$4-8Cuisine: Cafe/Brunch
Best brunch in Siem Reap. Excellent coffee, smoothie bowls, avocado toast, and Khmer-inspired breakfast dishes. Also supports local community programs.
Chamkar Vegetarian
$3-7Cuisine: Vegetarian Khmer
Fully vegetarian restaurant with creative Khmer dishes. Mushroom amok and vegetable curry are standouts. Peaceful garden setting near Old Market.
New Leaf Eatery
$3-8Cuisine: Cafe/International
Social enterprise cafe supporting education programs. Good sandwiches, salads, and Khmer dishes. Great smoothies. Popular co-working spot.
Genevieve's
$8-16Cuisine: French/Cambodian
French-Cambodian fusion in a charming old house. Set lunch menu is excellent value. Weekend brunch popular with expats. Garden seating available.
Charles de Gaulle Boulevard Area
Spoons
$5-12Cuisine: Cambodian/International
Cooking school and restaurant. Learn to cook or just eat. Set menus featuring classic Cambodian dishes. Beautiful presentation. Social enterprise.
Viroth's Restaurant
$8-18Cuisine: Upscale Khmer
Elegant garden restaurant with refined Khmer cuisine. Signature dishes include beef lok lac and fish amok. Connected to Viroth's Hotel. Very romantic setting.
Mie Cafe
$3-8Cuisine: Cambodian/Asian
Local favorite with excellent Khmer food and Asian fusion. Generous portions, low prices. Try the Kampot pepper beef or green mango salad.
Street Food & Night Markets
Old Market Night Food Stalls
$1-3Location: Around Phsar Chas
BBQ skewers, grilled fish, fried rice, noodle soups. Sets up around 17:00. Very local experience.
60 Road Night Market
$1-4Location: Street 60 (Art Center Night Market)
Larger night market with food stalls, crafts, and performances. Cambodian BBQ, fresh spring rolls, fruit shakes.
Angkor Night Market
$2-5Location: Sivatha Blvd
Tourist-oriented night market. Food court area with Khmer and international options. Cocktail bars and craft stalls.
Morning Noodle Stalls
$1-2Location: Various (around Old Market, Road 6)
Kuy teav (noodle soup) breakfast stalls. Authentic local breakfast experience. Opens at 5:30-6:00 AM.
Dining Tips for Siem Reap
- Book fine dining in advance: Cuisine Wat Damnak, Embassy, and Haven fill up quickly during peak season (Nov-Feb). Book 2-3 days ahead.
- Temple food: Bring water and snacks to Angkor — there are no restaurants inside most temple complexes. Vendors sell coconuts and snacks near major temples.
- Happy hour: Pub Street bars have rolling happy hours with $0.50 draft beers. Happy hour typically runs 16:00-20:00.
- Cooking classes: Several restaurants offer cooking classes (Spoons, Le Tigre de Papier). A fun way to learn Khmer cooking — typically $15-25 for a half-day class including market visit.
- Tipping: Not expected but appreciated. Round up or leave $1-2 at sit-down restaurants. Fine dining: 10% is generous.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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