Eating & Drinking in Phnom Penh

Thanks no doubt to the long UN presence in Cambodia, Phnom Penh has an amazing array of restaurants offering just about every taste you can imagine. Standards are generally more than acceptable, so you can hardly go wrong picking out just any place that's convenient. The biggest concentration of restaurants is along the river around the Royal Palace. Just keep in mind that the choicest locations with a view are going to be the most expensive. That said, you can get a steak dinner for around US$15, so a nice meal is hardly going to be budget busting.

Vegetarians will be happy to know that most restaurants in Phnom Penh have some veggie selections on their menus, so you'll find it easy to select a restaurant fit for you.

Restaurants do tend to come and go, especially in a city that's racing to renew itself. The places listed below were in business as of the date noted. You can check out the most recent reviews of Phnom Penh restaurants at my travel journal.

Friends
International - Run by a non-governmental organization that trains street kids to operate this restaurant. Very reasonably priced, with a regular menu of tapas around US$2 each and daily specials usually around US$5. Service is generally very good, owing in part to the large staff of students and teachers. There's also a souvenir shop next door, and another related restaurant, "Romdeng", serving traditional Khmer specialties on Street 278. Address: 215 Street 13 (just north of the National Museum). Tel. (0)12 802 072  July 2010
Cafe Fresco
Cafe - Pleasant little sidewalk café in the FCC building on Sisowath Quay just up the street from the National Museum. Opens early for breakfast. Coffees around US$3, sandwiches around $4 and smoothies $2. Also has a wide variety of baked items. 361 Sisowath Quay. Tel. (0)23 217 041
Now also has a branch on Street 51 at the intersection with 306.  July 2010
The Shop
Cafe - A bakery and cafe in the line of restaurants and shops along Street 240 just behind the Royal Palace. A banana and honey crumpet with latte for breakfast will set you back US$5. Open 8:00 to 18:00. 39 Street 240. Tel. (0)23 986 964  July 2010
Java Cafè and Gallery
International / Bakery - The main branch on Sihanouk Boulevard displays some very nice artwork on two floors. The cafe serves a variety of sandwiches and cooked foods, but the main reason for visiting the cafe is the best cookies in Southeast Asia. Their white chocolate walnut cookies are extremely good. There's also a small tea shop in Monument Books on Norodom Street. 56 Sihanouk. Tel. (0)23 987 420  July 2010
T & C
Cafe - Small chain with four locations in Phnom Penh. Uses Trung Nguyen coffee from Vietnam, and serves it Vietnamese style. Menu priced in Riels, with coffees running from 3,500 (-3,500.00 USD) to 5,000 (-5,000.00 USD). Authentic Vietnamese taste, which may not be to your liking. Light meals, including an American breakfast, are available for 8,000 (-8,000.00 USD) to 10,000 (-10,000.00 USD). Tiramisu was a disappointment. Locations include one near the Olympic Stadium and another on Monivong Boulevard not far from Psar Thmei.  July 2010
Malis
Khmer - Malis is widely regarded as Phnom Penh's best Cambodian restaurant, run by Cambodia's most famous chef, Luu Meng. Seating is in a lovely garden or indoors, both decorated in an elegant Asian modern style. Save room for the traditional Cambodian desserts, although there's such a wide variety it's hard to choose. 136 Norodom. Tel (0)23 221 022  December 2009
Metro Cafe
Asian - This apparently new restaurant on Sisowath Quay sports a cool and clubby Asian modern decor that's comfortable albeit a bit out of place at lunch-time. I opted for the Thai styled Green Chicken Curry sandwich for lunch. It was delicious and unique. With a drink lunch totaled US$5.50 after the 10% service charge was added. This was the only place I tried that had a service charge. On the corner of Sisowath Quay and Street 144.  September 2006
Riverhouse
Mediterranean - Riverhouse is perhaps one of the nicest restaurants along Sisowath Quay. The menu includes selections from around the Mediterranean, including French, Lebanese and North African (note: the couscous is a dish for two!) There are also some Thai dishes on the menu. Mains run around $10 to $15 and there is also an extensive wine list. Open from 10:00 to 23:00. 6 Street 110 (corner of Sisowath Quay). Tel. (0)23 212 302  December 2009
K West
International - On the river-front a short way north of the Royal Palace, in the Amanjaya Hotel. Serves a variety of dishes priced $5 to $10, with steaks starting at $12. Also has a full bar. Open from 7:00 until late.  December 2009
Sa
French - A rooftop terrace has a great view of the Royal Palace. Address: Royal palace Esplanade. Tel. (0)12 901 822  May 2006
102
French - According to some, 102 is the best restaurant in Phnom Penh. Atmosphere is elegant, and the wines are French. Address: 1A Ang Nan (near Wat Phnom). Tel. (0)23 990 880  May 2006