Culinary Pillars of the Cambodian Capital: Where to Eat in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is a city defined by a compelling blend of resilient history and vibrant, contemporary life. This atmosphere translates directly to its food culture. Cambodian, or Khmer, cuisine is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbours, but it is a complex, delicate tradition built on fresh herbs, fragrant kroeung (spice pastes), and the foundational trinity of sour, sweet, and salty.
Eating here is not merely about sustenance; it is a cultural immersion. From street-side barbecue smoke rising into the humid evening air to the colonial-era villas that house polished dining rooms, your choice of restaurant is a choice of ambiance. Whether you are after a budget-friendly lunch or a philanthropic dining experience, the city offers authentic Khmer flavours in settings that allow you to soak in the capital’s unique character, history, and bustle.
Here is a selection of Phnom Penh’s most compelling dining spots, chosen for their quality, authenticity, value, and distinctive settings.
For an Ethical & Educational Experience
These establishments offer more than just a meal; they are social enterprises or have a mission to support the local community, pairing excellent food with a meaningful purpose.
Romdeng
Housed in a beautiful, historic colonial-era building with a courtyard pool, Romdeng is operated by the Friends International NGO. It serves as a training restaurant for marginalized youth, helping them build careers in the hospitality industry. Reviews consistently praise the ambiance and the quality of the traditional Khmer dishes. The menu features regional specialities and occasionally adventurous fare, all prepared and served with genuine care. This is an excellent choice for a polished dinner where your money directly contributes to a social good.
Friends the Restaurant
Like Romdeng, Friends is a training restaurant run by the same organization, focusing on helping vulnerable young adults. The setting is vibrant and modern, with quirky decor and an open-air dining area. Reviewers highlight the delicious tapas-style Khmer and Western dishes, allowing for a good variety of sampling, and the friendly, though occasionally slower, service (a trade-off for the training environment). It offers great food and value, but the primary appeal for visitors is the chance to support a tangible social cause in a relaxed, cool setting.
Authentic Khmer: Traditional Flavours in Distinctive Settings
These restaurants are celebrated for delivering genuinely authentic Khmer cuisine, often within settings that are as much a part of the experience as the food itself.
The Sugar Palm
Though it gained its initial reputation in Siem Reap, The Sugar Palm in Phnom Penh continues to be lauded as a purveyor of delicious, traditional, home-style Cambodian food. The menu is a definitive collection of Khmer classics, most notably their Fish Amok and Prahok K’tis (a milder take on the pungent fermented fish dip). Its ambiance often involves a traditional setting, sometimes in a Khmer teak-wood house, making it a beautiful, atmospheric choice for a meal. It is a favourite for those seeking the genuine, un-modernized flavours of Cambodia.
Kravanh Restaurant
Kravanh offers a simple, elegant approach to classic Cambodian cuisine. The restaurant is noted for its commitment to sourcing sustainable and traditionally made produce, working directly with local fishermen and growers. Reviews point to a menu that delivers the “true flavour of Cambodia,” with an emphasis on Royal Cambodian dishes. For the visitor, it provides an authentic, high-quality, and reliable dining experience that focuses squarely on the subtle sophistication of Khmer flavours.
Khmer Surin
Often housed within a boutique guesthouse, Khmer Surin is known for providing a tranquil and traditionally decorated space, offering an “oasis of calm” amidst the city’s bustle. Guests consistently praise the delicious food and good selection, often noting the authentic decor and traditional atmosphere. It provides a reliable and pleasing combination of well-prepared Cambodian and Thai cuisine in a lovely, traditional setting, making it an excellent choice for a calm dinner.
Kabbas Restaurant
While specific details may vary, Kabbas is often positioned as an eatery serving unique traditional Khmer dishes. What stands out is its atmosphere—reviews suggest a beautiful interior, sometimes in the style of an old Khmer house. The location can be a hidden gem, often requiring a bit of searching. It appeals to visitors looking for traditional food in a charming, often rustic, and distinctly local setting.
Casual & Local: Everyday Favourites and Excellent Value
These spots are popular with both locals and expats, known for great food, excellent value, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Sovanna II Restaurant
Sovanna II is a lively, popular spot known for its authentic Cambodian barbecue and value. It is the place to go for grilled meats, especially the tender, smoky beef, and local specialties like sngor chrouk trey (fish soup). The atmosphere is welcoming and bustling, making it a great first experience for out-of-town visitors looking for local Khmer BBQ. With a diverse menu at reasonable prices, it delivers on taste and value for a true local-style outing.
Eleven One Kitchen
A popular choice among expats and locals in the BKK1 neighbourhood, Eleven One Kitchen is praised for its commitment to sustainability, using only fresh, local ingredients, growing some vegetables on its rooftop, and being MSG-free. It’s described as a “green oasis,” offering a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The menu is a mix of Khmer and Western dishes, all known for their high quality and freshness, providing an excellent healthy and ethical choice for a casual, value-driven meal.
NESAT Seafood House
NESAT channels the coastal atmosphere of Kep, offering fresh, perfectly cooked seafood delivered daily from the coast. Reviewers rave about the fresh, high-quality seafood, from Kampot pepper fried crab to smoky barbecued prawns, all served in a sea-inspired setting. It offers local tastes in a unique, nautical-themed ambiance and is celebrated for its excellent, fresh catch at reasonable prices.
K’nyay Restaurant
Tucked away near the Independence Monument, K’nyay offers a mix of Khmer and vegan cuisine with clearly marked plant-based options. It’s a cozy, romantic setting often described as a hidden gem. Reviewers highlight its fresh and flavourful dishes, particularly the curries. K’nyay is ideal for travelers looking for a unique menu that caters to dietary preferences while still offering authentic Khmer-inspired tastes in a charming, slightly off-the-beaten-path locale.
Dining with a View
Bopha Phnom Penh (Riverside location)
The riverside location of Bopha Phnom Penh offers more than just a meal; it provides an experience directly connected to the city’s pulse. Located on Sisowath Quay, it sits on the intersection of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, placing you right in the middle of one of the city’s most bustling areas. The appeal is the lively atmosphere and the stunning views. While the menu is generally a reliable mix of Khmer and Western fare, its primary draw for visitors is the opportunity to dine with a spectacular view of the river and the promenade, combining decent food with an unparalleled ambiance.