37 Best Restaurants in Cambodia

Buddhism for Social Development Action runs this hospitality training restaurant for young locals. Even so, the dining experience is better than many professional setups. The hanging lamps and bamboo-lined walls of the dining room lend a warmth to the space in the evening, but by day you have Mekong River views from the outdoor tables. The menu features Western and Khmer dishes. The restaurant is cash only.

Here you can try a shake, house-made yogurt, or a brownie, indulge in a massage, and learn about volunteering opportunities in Sihanoukville. The café has Wi-Fi and a handicrafts shop upstairs. It's not the easiest of places to find—hidden down a dirt road behind the Samudera Market in town—but it's well worth the trek, as it benefits the Starfish Project, which supports individuals in need.

The Mediterranean comes east at this popular three-story bar-restaurant in the heart of artsy Street 240. The menu extends from North African couscous and Spanish tapas, to Asian-fusion bites, served in a warm, jovial atmosphere. The comprehensive wine list includes labels from around the world and the cocktails are well made. Opt to sit on the rooftop for great city views.

Next to Kratie's busy marketplace, this is one of the better places to eat in town. The kitchen provides decent and inexpensive traditional Khmer fare and Western-style comfort foods catering to a mostly tourist clientele.

This elegant French fine dining restaurant is a longtime Phnom Penh favorite with Cambodia's elite, affluent expats, diplomats, and gastronomes. The capital's best wine cellar, premium-quality ingredients such as French oysters and Tasmanian Cape Grim beef cooked to perfection, and faultless service has made Topaz one of the most feted spots to dine in the city. It's a great choice for a final vacation meal. 

Possibly the most happening restaurant in Kandal Village, this French-owned and retro-themed bar and international bistro is the go-to place for French cuisine and Khmer staple dishes. Their good selection of wines and cocktails also attracts Siem Reap's drinking elite, especially on Funky Friday, their club night with live DJs. Don't miss the art gallery on the first floor.

In tiny Kep, where you can quickly tire of the Crab Market options or your hotel restaurant, this beachfront spot is a refreshing alternative, serving local Samai-rum-based cocktails and wine in a romantic seaside setting. The artsy restaurant-lounge stands on a terrace in a pretty garden, where you can relax on loungers and enjoy the fresh sea breeze.