12 Best Restaurants in Cambodia

The name translates as "food," and if you're after a Cambodian menu that appeals to the Western palate but is not without an adventurous element, this is an excellent choice. Try deep-fried frogs' legs coated with crispy rice flakes, or wok-fried local beef with tree red ants served with rice. If that's too much of a challenge, there's the duo amok soufflé of lemongrass and coconut paste with chicken and river fish, or the fun option of cooking fish or meat exactly to your liking on hot stones.

Operated by the Tree Alliance charity, this is a vocational training restaurant that demonstrates just how good the training is—the service is attentive and the food exceptional. New and inventive Cambodian dishes are constantly being added, the specials change regularly, and the cocktails are pretty decent, too.

ST 63 Bassak is run by a young Cambodian couple who aim to make international cuisine accessible and affordable for a local crowd, and at the same time showcase the best of Cambodian cuisine for foreign crowds. The result is a mix of local favorites like beef loc lac (stir-fried beef with fried egg and lime pepper sauce), alongside French-inspired dishes such as slow-cooked oxtail with a red wine jus.

Even superstar chef Gordon Ramsay swears by this Siem Reap institution, whose new location, set in a beautiful and breezy wooden sala, doesn't betray owner Khetana's colorful enthusiasm for the traditional Khmer cuisine she learned from her mother and grandmother. You can order à la carte or opt for one of the sampler platters ($15), which offer house signature specialties like crispy shrimp cakes with black-pepper sauce or pomelo salad with chicken.

This roadside open-air restaurant serves large helpings of excellent local dishes at bargain prices.

The name means "rice bowl" in Khmer and this social enterprise restaurant curated by the Cambodian Children Trust dishes up tasty Khmer and Thai mains in a cozy and artsy atmosphere—rotating exhibits of local artworks hang from the wall, and it's often packed with young creatives in the evenings. Jaan Bai provides skills development and employment for disadvantaged Cambodians, and a share of the profits goes towards community development work.

The Phnom Penh elite frequent this upscale, traditional Khmer restaurant in a peaceful garden, as its chef Luu Meng is a Cambodian celebrity who has worked on TV with the likes of Gordon Ramsay. The long menu features a variety of fresh fish and seafood, soups, curries, and grilled meats. The prices are a little high by Cambodian standards, but it makes for an enjoyable change if you're looking for something out of the ordinary, and you certainly get what you pay for.

Though it doesn't have the sea views, the simple and unpretentious Manoha serves excellent French-Khmer cuisine with a sophisticated air, prepared by a Cambodian chef who utilizes the best of fresh local ingredients and the fresh fish. Delicate dishes like fish carpaccio and tartare are recommended, as is the bai cha Manoha (prawns in a spicy sauce, with rice served in a pineapple).

Some of the country's tastiest provincial Khmer dishes are served at this gorgeously redesigned house in a residential area. Romdeng (which means "galangal" in Khmer) offers plenty of piquant soups, curries, salads, and meat dishes. The adventurous can try the three flavors of prahok, Cambodia's signature fermented fish paste, or, if you're even braver, the fried spiders.

Buddhism for Social Development Action runs this experiential training restaurant. Even so, the dining experience (Khmer and Western, leaning heavily towards Italian, food served) on the whole is better than many professional setups. The dining area is spacious, lime green and white, and cooled by overhead fans. Meals can also be enjoyed outside in front of the restaurant with open views onto the Mekong River.

The focus here is on delicately spiced Khmer-inspired vegan dishes. Try the rich, creamy sweet potato, pumpkin, and coconut curry, or a clean, crisp green mango, carrot, and herb salad with smoked tofu. A limited number of Thai curry-style meat and fish dishes is also available.

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.