Top Five Restaurants in the Capital City of Cambodia

1. Malis Restaurant

Malis Restaurant, founded in 2004 by Cambodian celebrity chef Luu Meng, delivers variety of delectable Cambodian cuisine while also expressing the ambition to restore Khmer cuisine to its previous grandeur. Many ancient Cambodian recipes and master chefs were wiped out by the genocidal Khmer Rouge in the 1970s, so master chef Luu Meng really would like to reintroduce Cambodia as a culinary destination and preserve it for the future. Malis is a popular among Khmer families, especially for weekend outings, because of its fresh seasonal fruit and subtle flavors.

It offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as private dining rooms for special occasions. Malis is a Khmer word that means white jasmine flower, and this flower can be found blooming in the restaurant’s garden courtyard. Tables surround this beautiful garden, creating a tranquil setting in which to sample traditional Khmer dishes such as Samlor Khmer (noodle soup with fish gravy and lemongrass) and signature Kuy Teav Malis (prawn and pork noodle soup). Takeo sausages (a recipe from nearby Takeo Province) and Kep crab with Kampot pepper are also highlights of the restaurant.

2. Friends the Restaurant

Friends the Restaurant, located just a 2-minute walk from the National Museum, is another training restaurant run by the Mith Samlanh organization to teach homeless youth how to work in the hospitality industry. In a breezy al-fresco setting, the restaurant seamlessly blends an eclectic Khmer and pan-Asian menu. The vibrant and colorful décor of this dining establishment draws a large number of visitors. It’s no surprise that this restaurant is one of the longest running and best-loved in Phnom Penh, serving a tapas-style sharing menu of creative cuisine with influences from all over the world.

Sauteed baby squid with Kampot pepper, prawn and glass noodle salad, grilled snapper with green mango, and pork belly with lotus root are among the signature dishes. Friends the Restaurant, which is the most popular among expats, serves a delectable assortment of Asian-inspired and European-style sweets, as well as cool beverages and juices, including the well-known Phnom Penh Iced Tea (tamarind juice mixed with five different spirits).

3. NESAT Seafood House

The appearance and feel of NESAT Seafood House evoke the seaside: unpolished wood finishes, an assortment of fishing gear, and an al fresco environment. Fish, crab, squid, lobster, mussels, and more—all prepared in a rustic Khmer fashion, or not at all—stand out on the menu for their freshness and variety.

NESAT regularly sends the day’s fresh fish from the coastal province of Kep, despite Phnom Penh’s 80-mile distance from the sea. White clams in a tamarind and basil sauce, fresh oysters for $3 per order of ten, and “crazy” sharing sets like NESAT Madness are all popular selections (barbecued shrimps, squid, vegetable, crabs, white clams, tom yum soup and rice).

4. Brown Coffee

Brown Coffee, Phnom Penh’s most popular coffee chain, with a number of locations throughout the capital city of Cambodia. This Cambodian coffee shop was one of the first to provide espresso-based beverages, and their iced coffees and frappes are delicious. Brown Coffee is a location for students to see and be seen, with plenty of large tables for work and meetings, but if you’re searching for peace, look elsewhere. Their roastery on Street 57 also serves single origin filter coffees and cold brew – mention if you want yours without sugar when ordering.

5. SaKaNa Lab – Japanese Restaurant

If you would like to try authentic Japanese cuisine while in Phnom Penh, SaKaNa LaB, located just a few minutes’ walk from the Independence Monument, is a must-try. SaKaNa LaB specializes in traditional and modern Japanese seafood and offers high-quality fish dishes at reasonable prices. Fish is delivered directly from Sihanouk Ville fishermen every two days, and three times a week from Tokyo suppliers. As a result, SaKaNa offers delicious food that is fresh and filling.

A half-dozen standard sushi rolls are on the menu. The Sakana Lab roll, which includes salmon, tuna, eel, crab meat, avocado, cucumber, flying fish egg, pickled radish, and sprouts, is the best-selling item. Because of its comfortable seating, SaKaNa is ideal for dates and even better for groups.