Siem Reap

Eat and meet

Khmer

Cuisine Wat Damnak

Will redefine your relationship with food

Wat Damnak Area
T: (077) 347 762

Few restaurants generate such a stir of anticipation when they open, and fewer yet such consensus: Cuisine Wat Damnak is amazing. The weekly changing set menus are dedicated to bringing you Cambodian food, but this food is so good it transcends boundaries, and the owner/chef, JoannÃ¨s RiviÃ¨re, ... read more
The Sugar Palm

The best amok in town

Taphul Road
T: (063) 964 838

When one of Britain's top chefs, Gordon Ramsey, was looking for a place to go to learn how to cook Khmer food, he went to Sugar Palm. This is a favourite among expats when visitors come to town and they want to showcase the best of Cambodian cooking served in a magnificently preserved traditional ... read more
Mr Grill

Sizzling

Wat Bo Road
T: (012) 645 772

Popular with everyone: expats, locals and visitors, Mr Grill has a massive Khmer menu of grills and more (that you can barbecue yourself on the table). The open-air restaurant on Wat Bo Road is something of an institution in Siem Reap, and the busy atmosphere is infectiously dynamic, especially if ... read more
Cambodian BBQ

A mini-grill on your table

The Passage
T: (063) 966 052

This isn't the cheapest dinner in town but it's fun and different, and a popular spot. Barbecue grills, with a rounded metal plate over hot coals and often surrounded by a "moat" for soup, are very common in Cambodia and the shared experience of cooking and serving up your own food is always ... read more
The Square 24

Khmer fine dining

Street 24, Wat Bo Area
T: (063) 5555 492

A new take on the Khmer fine dining experience takes root in this smart, contemporary restaurant. Create your own dishes from a range of ingredients, or choose from a selection of "inescapable classics". Square 24 is an open-plan restaurant set in a beautifully manicured garden which is a nice ... read more
Amok

Classic Khmer food

The Passage, behind Bar St
T: (063) 965 407

This is a sister restaurant to the slightly more upmarket Champey, right next door, and also serves classic Khmer dishes, prepared to a high standard. While Amok Restaurant is named after the Cambodian classic amok dish, what is really worth trying is their banana flower salad — yummo! ... read more
Viroth's

Uupmarket fine Khmer cuisine

246 Wat Bo St
T: (012) 826 346

Having eaten here several times, Viroth's stands out as the place to go if someone in your group is really petrified of Khmer food, but would like to say that they tried it. The short menu sticks to the staples, then turns down the flavour, and the food is entirely unthreatening. This place is ... read more
Chamkar

Cosy and friendly

The Passage
T: (092) 733 150

A huge hit with vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, this very pretty restaurant stands out on The Passage for its elegant decor. The space here is small and intimate, but it always manages to be comfortable, and the location in the middle of The Alley means you're in a prime spot, yet you feel ... read more
Soup Dragon

Popular

Near Old Market
T: (063) 964 933

Billed as the first restaurant on Pub Street, Soup Dragon has a massive menu of Khmer and Vietnamese dishes, as well as Western options including pastas, burgers and so on. A popular spot at any time of day, the staff are friendly and everything is very reasonably priced. Downstairs, you can sit ... read more
Khmer Kitchen

Always tasty

The Passage, behind Bar St
T: (063) 964 154

One of Siem Reap's longest running restaurants, of which there are now actually two: one on the Passage and at the top of Alley West, which looks forward towards The Passage. The Thai/Khmer menu is extremely well-priced, and the food is always very tasty. The portions are generous and the service ... read more
Champey

Fine Khmer food

The Passage, behind Bar St, through to the Old Market
T: (063) 964 713

Beautiful decor and an effort to create some of the finest Khmer food in the Pub Street area make this place stand out. They aim to create Khmer royal cuisine and the food is some of the best Khmer fare available in downtown and the Old Market-facing part of the restaurant is ideal for people ... read more

Cafes

La Boulangerie

Great breakfasts and salads

Street 7
T: (063) 6901 501

La Boulangerie has usurped the Blue Pumpkin as the best bakery in town in the opinion of many. This very sweet, locally owned and run cafe serves up some excellent value breakfasts, great coffee, and really good value lunches, including salads, sandwiches and quiches. Immensely popular with the ... read more
Art Deli

Feel inspired

Alley West

If you like things a little more esoteric and interesting, this is the spot for you. ArtDeli is a cool hang-out, art-gallery, bar, multimedia space, events venue, and all around fun place to be. Located in one of the most charming buildings in the centre of Siem Reap, the ArtDeli offers snacks and ... read more
Blue Pumpkin

Amazing pastries and ice-cream

Near Old Market, Siem Reap
T: (012) 946 227

The original Blue Pumpkin is still going strong, though has extended its reach with several outlets all over town. Blue Pumpkin is always a surprise for anyone who's just arrived in Siem Reap thanks to their highly contemporary look, and the blessed relief of the air-con which you'll find ... read more
Angkor Cafe

Flash Angkor option

Opposite Angkor Wat
T: (012) 946 227

Sometimes, when the heat and tiredness of trudging around Angkor sets in, the only cure is a pastry or ice-cream and great big coffee. Part of the Blue Pumpkin chain, it doesn't open till 08:00, though the Pub Street restaurant is open as early as 05:00. The Angkor Café faces the ... read more

International

L'Oasi Italiana

Tropical Italian

Wat Bo
T: (092) 418 917

A super-lush tropical garden with a series of discreet shelters housing their own single table dining areas are just part of what makes L'Oasi special. The all-Italian menu is as you would expect, but the attention to details are what makes it. Unable to source ingredients that were up to their ... read more
Abacus

A real treat

Off Route 6 (Behind Acleda Bank)
T: (012) 644 286

A classic French menu in a romantic garden or elegant interior setting, impeccable service and incredible food mean a trip to Abacus is always a special occasion. The focus is French, but with some special Asian twists in places. Special dishes include arguably the best carpaccio in town, and a ... read more
Il Forno

Superstar Italiano

The Lane
T: (078) 208 174

Authentic Italian cooking in an inviting, relaxed but very thoughtful streetside restaurant. Il Forno went from non-existence to pre-eminence in about 24 hours flat. Created by a young Italian family, the rich aroma of authenticity wafts from every dish. Their pizzas are crisp and thin based, ... read more
Ivy 2

Vegetarians and tapas lovers' delight

Off Pokambor Avenue
T: (012) 800 860

A relaxed, open-terrace festooned with greenery and some of the most highly-rated vegetarian food in town make this a go-to spot for many. Ivy 2 has possibly the biggest vegetarian menu in town, and whether you're a vegetarian or meat-lover, their cheesey mash will have you swooning. Their ... read more
Mezze Bar

Great value

Pub Street Area
T: (077) 417 997

Clean white and green lines of the dÃ©cor reflect the freshness of the food at Mezze Bar. The stars here are pita breads stuffed to the gills with freshly made falafel, chicken balls or meatballs, accompanied by a wide range of fillings, including pickles, olives, salad, lentils, hummus, fried ... read more
Le Tigre De Papier

Deservedly popular

Pub Street
T: (012) 659 770; (012) 265 811

Like many eateries in Siem Reap, there is a bit of everything on the menu. Well located in the heart of Pub Street, Le Tigre De Papier relies on the winning formula of good service, good food and good prices. The menu seems to offer a little bit of everything for everybody, French, Italian, ... read more
Fresh at Chilli Si Dang

Relaxed and friendly

Wat Bo
T: (017) 875 129

Set on the east bank of Siem Reap river, Fresh at Chilli Si Dang offers airy streetside and riverside eating with prices that are reasonable and service that is prompt and quite chatty. A small, relaxed and friendly bar, this is a good place to drop into if you want to find out what's happening in ... read more
Le Triskell d'Angkor

For a little Gallic twist

Street 10

Originally a creperie which also served some really excellent pizzas, the owner recently expanded the premises and the menu to accommodate those who were looking for some local dishes too. The crepes are excellent, and served with delicious pickles that beautifully off-set the flavours. Rich ... read more
Picasso

Tapas

Alley West

For a break from the crowds and hustle, Picasso offers a calm respite, and the sangria doesn't hurt either. On those days when the heat and humidity drive you to drink then Picasso is probably the place to head for. In a long, air-con room that's been designed to look like a brick tunnel, the ... read more
The Indian

Cracking Indian food

Street 9
T: (017) 928 471

A posher spot for some good Indian nosh, and slightly more expensive than elsewhere, but The Indian is generally considered worth it. Its glassed-in front takes you away from the hustle and bustle outside, and the service is very good. Siem Reap is spoiled for choice when it comes to Indian ... read more
Le Grand Cafe

French-style brasserie

Old Market Area
T: (092) 535 800

Le Grand Cafe is perhaps the best people-watching spot in Siem Reap. The open-fronted, corner restaurant looks out onto Old Market, and serves beautiful coffees and biscuits for those who'd like to spend a moment gathering their thoughts and observing the world. The beautifully decorated ... read more
FCC Angkor

Refreshing escape

Pokambor Ave
T: (063) 760 283

It's just one of those things that you have to do while you're here: drop into the FCC Angkor for a happy hour cocktail at sunset and soak up the beautiful old colonial charm. If you explore a little, you'll find photographs up on the walls from the 60s and 70s that instantly transport you into a ... read more
Maharajah

Typical Indian fare

Sivatha Boulevard
T: (063) 966 221

Anyone in a hurry for a curry is spoiled for choice in this town. You cannot go wrong by dropping in to any one of the ones that you might happen to pass. However, with the greatest respect to all the excellent others, Maharajah seems to strike the best balance for quality and value for money. ... read more

Bars

Laundry

Get all washed up

Street 9

Do not bring your laundry here, just bring your relaxed self for this super-chilled out spot. The Laundry Bar swiftly becomes the favourite haunt of everyone who crosses its threshold. Its laid-back vibe, very cool music, lively pool tables and a bar that only closes when the last person leaves ... read more
Miss Wong

Funky

The Lane, alley parallel to The Passage
T: (092) 428 332

In a few short years, Miss Wong has elevated itself to institutional status. This cocktail bar is small, friendly and, when it gets going, very lively. The cocktails are what make people come, the conversation usually makes them stay. The decor is China-chic-kitsch, a difficult balance but ... read more
The Warehouse

A real bar

Old Market Area
T: (063) 965 204

No mess, no fuss, no delusions, The Warehouse is a proper bar with a massive range of drinks, lively music, TV screens for sports, and a decent food menu. It's home away from home for many an expat. Regular events include the Thursday charity pub quiz, live music and open mic night on Fridays, and ... read more
Little Pari

Jazzy little cocktail bar

The Lane

There's a slight bohemian feel to Little Pari, from the gauzy curtains that beckon you in, to the handmade wooden chairs that are almost as big as benches. This tiny little jazz bar is a really special spot, with Pari's unique sense of style and creativity infusing everything from the ... read more
Linga Bar

First gay hang out

The Passage
T: (012) 246 912

It's a great spot, gay or not, in no small part due to its excellent cocktails, which they describe as monumental â€” and they're not far off the money. The bar has a sophisticated ambience, with low-slung seating and contemporary art holding the walls up. There is a small dance-floor at the ... read more
X-Bar

Great rooftop

Sivatha Blvd
T: (012) 263 271

Located opposite the end of Pub Street on Sivatha Boulevard, X-Bar has a great rooftop location. View aside, there is plenty to keep you occupied such as pool tables, table football, large screen X Box games, and a massive screen for sports and other events. The entrance is just down a side ... read more
The Station Winebar

Delicate wines and high energy cabaret

Street 7
T: (097) 850 4043

Located on Street 7, which runs parallel to Pub Street, The Station is the place to be for a quality glass of wine, possibly with a side of drag? Tony, the amiable Australian owner, knows his wines and offers an excellent variety at reasonable prices in the Station's softly lit and softly furnished ... read more
Molly Malones

Siem Reap's Irish pub

Bar St
T: (063) 963 533

Drinks here are very reasonably priced and Molly Malones does a good job of creating a social, family-friendly atmosphere. With a big, open-fronted bar, dressed up like a traditional old Irish drinking den, this is where you go for comfort food, as the pub grub here is really excellent, and ... read more
Silk Garden

Jungle hideout

The Lane
T: (092) 964 790

Silk Garden is a quietly seductive outdoor bar with a relaxed vibe. The owner/DJ does gigs here as do other bands, and these are always nights to watch out for. The bar only opens in the evenings, and has a bit of a smooth vibe. It's really pleasant early on when it's quiet and you can take a ... read more
Banana Leaf

Chatty and friendly

Bar St
T: (063) 964 813

Streetside dining on Pub Street, this is a great spot to soak up the atmosphere. Located at the top of Pub Street, this is prime people-watching property. They're very proud of their cocktail list too, and the food comes from the same people behind Amok and Champey, offering traditional Khmer ... read more
Angkor What?

The original bar

Bar St
T: (012) 490 755

Unmissable for all the home-spun graffiti that covers almost every inch of every wall, this is Pub Street's party central, and one of its longest running establishments. Angkor What? has now achieved institutional status, and is on the list of virtually everyone coming here. It gets crowded after ... read more