13 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.

This top-notch open-air garden restaurant, out-of-the-way from the noisier part of the city, reflects the forward-thinking new generation of postdisaster Cambodia, represented here by the visionary young owner, Siv Pola. Everything is prepared with sensitivity, creativity, and great skill: try the Tonle Sap Fish, a carpaccio of snakehead fish fillet, marinated in fresh picked herbs, with a tempura poached egg.

A great way to combine seaside eating and fun, especially for families, the Knai Bang Chatt hotel's Sailing Club welcomes all for seafood barbecues, a popular Sunday brunch, and light meals as well as beach volleyball, sailing, Hobie Cat rentals, and kayaking. Linger on until the evening to sip a cocktail and take in the stunning sunset views from this beautifully restored wooden fisherman's cottage. After dinner, the wine and cocktail bar The Lounge, just a few short steps away, is a good spot to while away the night in style.

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.

If it's meat you're after, this restaurant, coffee shop, butcher shop, and deli—all rolled into one—is the place for you. The locally sourced animal products are all certified (a rarity in Cambodia) and the gourmet sausages and cold cuts are prepared, cured, and smoked on the premises. 

You don't have to be a foreign correspondent to join the lively international crowd that gathers every day at this atmospheric French-colonial building. The beer is always cold, the cocktails icy, and you can grab a reliable burger or wood-fired pizza and enjoy the open river views if you're in need of a change from Khmer fare (having said that, the beef Lok Lak is one of the best in town).

Hidden away down a small alleyway, this small, welcoming trattoria turns out delicious thin-crust pizza and calzone from a wood-fire oven, as well as wonderful homemade pasta, all using locally-sourced ingredients. The filling portions and menu of Italian wines makes this spot especially appealing after a long day's sightseeing.

This trendy downtown restaurant serves a blend of Khmer and Chinese dishes---which makes sense given Sihanoukville's demographics---so expect choices like roast pork and rice, chicken curry, whole salted fish, and even durian pizza. The large two-level space has plenty of seating choices.

Succulent samosas, vegetable pakoras (fritters), spicy lamb masala, butter chicken, and prawn biryani (with rice and vegetables) are among the favorites served at this small Indian restaurant. In the pleasant dining room a statue of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha stands by the door, and reproductions of Mogul art line the walls. There are also usually a few tables on the sidewalk.

A selection of hearty sausages and schnitzel dishes, typically accompanied by sauerkraut, are served at this homey German-Swiss restaurant in an old villa, which has been serving great food since 1998.

In the Sokha Beach Resort, this outdoor beachfront restaurant is an idyllic dinner-and-drinks spot, from the dreamy sunset hour to late at night. The tapas menu is innovative and trendy and there's a nice selection of international wines to choose from.

Kampot's 1930s fish market has been upgraded into a luxe riverfront bistro that's the perfect spot for a stylish sundowner: cocktails use local flavors so you'll find a Kampot pepper Bloody Mary and lychee martinis. The seafood-focused menu mixes Asian and international flavors, from Cajun Salmon steaks to Sicilian-style squid, to perfection.

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.