Best Restaurants in Phnom Penh: Where to Eat in 2024
Phnom Penh’s food scene has evolved far beyond basic street stalls. While traditional Khmer flavors remain the foundation, the city now hosts world-class fine dining and a gritty, high-energy craft cocktail culture. The layout is compact, meaning you can jump from a French bistro to a traditional fish amok stall in ten minutes. Influence comes from everywhere: former French colonial ties, Chinese migration, and a young generation of Khmer chefs reclaiming forgotten ingredients. It is loud, humid, and smells like toasted garlic. Eating here is the best way to understand Cambodia's resilience and modern ambition.
Must-try dishes in Phnom Penh
Before you choose a table, know what should be on your plate. These are the staples of the Cambodian capital.
- Fish Amok: A creamy, curried fish mousse steamed in banana leaves. It relies on kroeung, a fragrant spice paste of lemongrass, turmeric, and galangal.
- Bai Sach Chrouk: The ultimate breakfast. Pork marinated in coconut milk and garlic, grilled over charcoal, and served with broken rice and pickled cucumbers.
- Nom Banh Chok: Often called "Khmer noodles." Thin rice noodles topped with a green fish gravy and heaps of fresh wild herbs, bean sprouts, and banana flower.
- Kuy Teav: A pork-bone broth noodle soup typically eaten in the morning. It’s light, clear, and topped with crispy garlic and fresh herbs.
- Beef Lok Lak: Stir-fried beef peppered with Kampot peppercorns. It is served with a lime and black pepper dipping sauce that defines the dish.
- Prahok Ktis: A pungent, savory dip made from fermented fish paste, minced pork, and coconut milk. It is served with crisp, raw vegetables for dipping.
Best restaurants for a splurge
If you have one night to spend significant money, these locations offer the best return on investment for high-end dining.
Malis (Daun Penh)
Malis is the flagship of Luu Meng, Cambodia’s most famous chef. The space is built around a courtyard with a giant Buddha statue and reflecting pools. The menu focuses on "Living Cambodian Cuisine," reviving traditional recipes lost during the Khmer Rouge era. Order the Royal Mak Mee or the hidden ribs. It is formal but approachable.
Rosewood Brasserie Louis (Daun Penh)
Located on the 35th floor of the Vattanac Capital Tower, this is the highest dining point in the city. The menu leans into French-Cambodian fusion using sustainably sourced local ingredients. The views of the Mekong River are unmatched. It serves the best steak frites in the city alongside elevated Khmer classics.
Topaz (Daun Penh)
Topaz is a long-standing institution for French fine dining. It feels like an old-school Parisian salon with impeccable service and a massive wine cellar. The focus is on luxury imports—think foie gras, truffles, and high-grade Wagyu. It is the preferred meeting spot for the city’s business elite and diplomats.
Best casual restaurants and local favorites
These are the spots where the city’s expats and locals meet for reliable, high-quality meals without the white tablecloths.
Friends the Restaurant (Daun Penh)
This is a social enterprise training restaurant that helps street youth gain hospitality skills. The menu is a mix of creative tapas and hearty mains. Try the stir-fried beef tree ants if you’re adventurous. The courtyard is colorful, the service is enthusiastic, and the profits go to a good cause.
Eleven One Kitchen (BKK1)
Eleven One is a leader in the city’s sustainable dining movement. They are plastic-free and source almost everything locally. The garden setting is breezy and relaxed. Their fish amok burger and signature beef lok lak are staples for the BKK1 crowd. It is consistently good and reasonably priced.
Farm to Table (BKK1)
Designed to feel like a rural farmhouse in the middle of the city, this restaurant focuses on organic produce and healthy eating. You’ll find chickens wandering the courtyard and a menu full of fresh salads, artisanal sandwiches, and potent coffee. It is a quiet escape from the city’s traffic and noise.
David’s Noodles (Riverside)
Located near the National Museum, David’s is famous for hand-pulled noodles and handmade dumplings. You can often see them stretching the dough at the front of the shop. The prices are casual, the beer is cold, and the ginger chicken dumplings are mandatory. It is a reliable, no-frills favorite for a quick lunch.
Best cheap eats and street food
For the best restaurants in Phnom Penh on a budget, look for the crowds and the smoke.
- Russian Market (Tuol Tom Poung): The food court inside the market is a gauntlet of snacks. Look for the "Coffee Mr. Bounnareth" stall for the best iced coffee, then grab a bowl of $2 Khmer noodles from any vendor with a busy bench.
- Psar Kandal: This local market near the riverside is famous for its afternoon food stalls. It is the best place to find authentic Kuy Teav and grilled skewers. It is local, hectic, and very cheap.
- Jet’s Container Night Market: Popular with the younger Khmer crowd, this area features dozens of small stalls selling everything from grilled snails to spicy papaya salad. It’s loud, has live music, and offers great people-watching.
- Fried Insect Stalls: You will find these carts along the Riverside at night. While tourists see them as a novelty, the deep-fried crickets and silk larvae are salty, crunchy, and a legitimate local snack.
Best breakfast and brunch
Phnom Penh takes the morning meal seriously, whether it’s a bowl of noodles on the corner or a three-hour avocado toast session.
Backyard Cafe (BKK1)
Backyard is the go-to for the health-conscious. They specialize in vegan, vegetarian, and keto-friendly options. Their breakfast bowls, green juices, and lentil pancakes are excellent. If you’ve had too much street food and need a nutritional reset, this is the place to do it.
Enso Cafe (BKK1)
Enso offers a polished, Western-style brunch experience. The coffee is some of the best in the city, and the eggs benedict are consistent. The interior is modern and air-conditioned, making it a popular spot for digital nomads and weekend brunch crowds looking for a slow start.
Lot 369 (Tuol Tom Poung)
Located in the heart of the Russian Market area, Lot 369 has a tropical, open-air vibe. They offer a "bottomless brunch" on weekends and have a heavy focus on Australian-style breakfast. The smoothie bowls and pulled pork sliders are highlights. The rooftop area is a great place to hide from the midday sun.
Best rooftop or view dining
Phnom Penh’s skyline is changing fast. Seeing it from above is the best way to understand the scale of the city.
Sora Sky Bar (Daun Penh)
While technically a bar at the Rosewood, Sora offers a sophisticated small-plates menu. The cantilevered terrace hangs over the edge of the building, providing 360-degree views. It is the most impressive place in the city for a sunset drink and a light dinner of high-end yakitori.
Le Moon Rooftop (Riverside)
Le Moon offers a more relaxed, mid-range experience overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. It is open-air and catches a constant breeze. The menu is a mix of international and Khmer dishes. It’s the best spot to watch the lights of the riverboats below.
Best food neighborhoods to wander
If you aren't sure where to eat in Phnom Penh, head to these three districts:
BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1): This is the high-end expat hub. It has the highest density of international restaurants, specialty coffee shops, and trendy bars. It is walkable, paved, and has plenty of signage in English.
Tuol Tom Poung (Russian Market): The city’s hipster neighborhood. In the streets surrounding the market, you’ll find hidden craft beer bars, tiny ramen shops, and the best third-wave coffee roasters. It is grittier than BKK1 but has more character.
Daun Penh (Riverside): The historic heart of the city. While the main strip is touristy, the backstreets (like Street 13 and Street 172) are full of long-running French bistros, Indian curry houses, and traditional Khmer noodle shops.
Note: Restaurant hours and reservation policies in Phnom Penh can change frequently; check social media pages for current status.