Phnom Penh eating guide

An independent selection of the best eateries from fine dining to street food in Phnom Penh, from Rusty Compass. No paid endorsements.

Phnom Penh eating guide

Introduction

| 25 Feb 2016
Last updated 25 Feb 2016

There's lots to like about Phnom Penh’s food scene. And it's changing as quickly as the city itself. The past few years have seen many new openings. A once barren culinary destination is blossoming with options from both the Khmer and international cookbook. There's a cool cafe scene too. Oh, and Phnom Penh has some of the most affordable, quality international wines in Asia.

Travellers tend to gravitate to the big concentration of restaurants on the riverfront. Take note though, most of the city's best meals will be had in the streets back off the river.

The quality of simple, local, street eateries has improved lots in recent years. Stop by a local spot that looks to be doing good trade, take your seat on a plastic stool and you'll likely enjoy a good feed, a good local experience and some fun negotiating the menu. 

At the other end of the scale, the city now sports an impressive collection of upscale dining options well worth checking out.

And if you want to retreat to something familiar with healthy vegetarian, vegan as well as carnivorous options, Phnom Penh's has some excellent little healthy cafes.

The city's small and easily navigated so its best eating options are convenient no matter where you’re staying.

Remember, all our listings are independently selected. No money changes hands and we're almost always anonymous diners. We've tried every restaurant listed at least once.

Read more introduction

Le Bouchon Wine Bar and French Cuisine, Phnom Penh

When French-owned Le Bouchon originally opened near the Ton Le Sap River several years back, it felt more a place of wine and... Read more

Map

Map
Le Bouchon Wine Bar and French Cuisine, Phnom Penh
82 street 174, Phnom Penh - downtown

Map

Bistrot Langka, Phnom Penh

Bistrot Langka has become one of Phnom Penh’s most popular eateries with a simple French bistro style, a tasty concise menu, and... Read more

Map

Map
Bistrot Langka, Phnom Penh
132 Z13 Street 51, Phnom Penh - at the end of the lane near Patio Hotel

Map

Magnolia Vietnamese restaurant, Phnom Penh

Magnolia’s a popular Vietnamese restaurant set in a classic Phnom Penh modernist villa. Read more

Map

Map
Magnolia Vietnamese restaurant, Phnom Penh
Cnr Pasteur and St 242, Phnom Penh

Map

Romdeng Restaurant

Romdeng's a very popular hospitality training school / restaurant. Good food, nice space, great cause too. Read more

Map

Map
Romdeng Restaurant
74 Street 174, Phnom Penh
+855 (0) 92 219 565

Map

Friends Restaurant

Friends serves up a Khmer tapas menu for a good cause right by the National Museum. Read more

Map

Map
Friends Restaurant
#215 Street 13, Phnom Penh
+(855) 12 802 072

Map

The Exchange, Phnom Penh

The Exchange is one of Phnom Penh's newest drinking and dining venues in a grand villa renovated in upscale pub style. Read more

Map

Map
The Exchange, Phnom Penh
28 Street 47, Phnom Penh
+855 23 992 865

Map

Frizz Restaurant

Popular Khmer eatery on the increasingly upscale 240 street. Friendly with tasty local favourites and a handful of international... Read more

Map

Map
Frizz Restaurant
67, Street 240, Phnom Penh

Map

Sugar Palm Restaurant

Sugar Palm's a veteran of the Phnom Penh culinary scene with a dependable menu of Khmer staples. At the beginning of 2015, Sugar... Read more

Map

Map
Sugar Palm Restaurant
13 Street 178, Phnom Penh (between Norodom and Pasteur
+855(0)85646373

Map

Restaurant Le Royal, Raffles Hotel

Restaurant Le Royal in the historic Raffes Hotel is Phnom Penh's most indulgent dining experience with a degustation menu... Read more

Map

Map
Restaurant Le Royal, Raffles Hotel
Street 92 (Rukhak Vithei), Phnom Penh
+855 23 981 888

Map

Cafe Metro, Phnom Penh

Cafe Metro is right on the riverfront and perfect for a hit of western cuisine, a glass of wine or a cocktail, in a lounge bar... Read more

Map

Map
Cafe Metro, Phnom Penh
Corner Sisowath Quay & Street 148, Phnom Penh
+(855-23) 222 275

Map

Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) Restaurant, Phnom Penh

An afternoon drink at the FCC has become something of a mandatory ritual for travellers to Phnom Penh - and plenty stay around... Read more

Map

Map
Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) Restaurant, Phnom Penh
363, Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh

Map

Khmer Surin Restaurant

A long time Phnom Penh favourite from the days when you could count the city’s traveller restaurants on one hand. Serves both... Read more

Map

Map
Khmer Surin Restaurant
9 Street 57, Phnom Penh - nearby the Independence Monument
+855 (0) 12 887 320

Map

Local restaurants

Some suggestions for eating with the locals in Phnom Penh. Read more

Map

Map
Local restaurants
St 13 or St 21, Phnom Penh

Map

Van's Restaurant,

Van's is an upscale French restaurant in the striking colonial era Indochina Bank building. It's a great spot for a special... Read more

Map

Map
Van's Restaurant,
No. 5, St. 102, Place de la Poste 12202 Phnom Penh
+855 23 722 067

Map

Bistrot de L’Institute Francais, Phnom Penh

Bistrot de L’Institute Francais is a great little casual bistro and cafe attached the library and exhibition space of the... Read more

Map

Map
Bistrot de L’Institute Francais, Phnom Penh
218 184 St, Phnom Penh
+855 (0) 12495841

Map

Malis Restaurant, Phnom Penh

Malis is a good choice for a comfortable introduction to Cambodian cuisine, or a dressed up night out of local flavours in a... Read more

Map

Map
Malis Restaurant, Phnom Penh
136 Preah Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh
+855 89 212 888

Map

ARTillery Arts Cafe, Phnom Penh

Artillery Cafe’s a cute little health cafe down a lane off Phnom Penh’s 240 St. Read more

Map

Map
ARTillery Arts Cafe, Phnom Penh
Down the alley, Street 240 1/2 (near Street 19), Phnom Penh
(078) 985 530

Map

The Shop 240 Cafe, Phnom Penh

The Shop isn't really a shop. It's a cafe and bakery - one of the most popular spots in Phnom Penh. It’s located on the St 240... Read more

Map

Map
The Shop 240 Cafe, Phnom Penh
39, Street 240, Phnom Penh
023 986 964

Map

Backyard Cafe, Phnom Penh

Backyard Cafe opened in late 2015 offering healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner options right by the Royal Palace. Read more

Map

Map
Backyard Cafe, Phnom Penh
11B St 246 Phnom Penh - near Royal Palace exit
+855 78751715

Map

Farm to Table Cafe, Phnom Penh

The ultimate Phnom Penh escape serves delicious fresh and nutritious food - salads, sandwiches, juices and so on - in a big... Read more

Map

Map
Farm to Table Cafe, Phnom Penh
St. 360 #16, near St. 51, Phnom Penh
+855 78 899 722

Map

Comme a la Maison, Phnom Penh

Something of a Phnom Penh expat institution, Comme a la Maison is a French accented European restaurant with a deli attached.... Read more

Map

Map
Comme a la Maison, Phnom Penh
13 - 15 St. 57, Phnom Penh
+855 23 360 801

Map

Ambau Khmer Restaurant, Phnom Penh

Ambau is a friendly, casual Khmer restaurant downtown with a mix of indoor and outdoor seating. We’ve ended up here for lunch on... Read more

Map

Map
Ambau Khmer Restaurant, Phnom Penh
30B, Keo Chea (St. 184), Phnom Penh
+855 92 811 169

Map

Chocolate by The Shop, Phnom Penh

If a chocolate craving gets the better of you during a stay in Phnom Penh, make a bee-line for Chocolate by The Shop - right... Read more

Map

Map
Chocolate by The Shop, Phnom Penh
#39, street 240, Phnom Penh
+85577556670

Map

Sovanna Khmer BBQ, Phnom Penh

Sovanna is a popular local Khmer barbecue - a good place for a casual bite and a beer with plenty of local character. Staff... Read more

Map

Map
Sovanna Khmer BBQ, Phnom Penh
Street 21, Phnom Penh, Cambodia (near Willow Hotel)

Map

Oskar Bistro

Oskar Bistro is a bright spot on the Phnom Penh riverfront with cocktails, wines and food in a cool, classy setting. Read more

Map

Map
Oskar Bistro
159 Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh
+855 23 215 179

Map