20 Best Places to Eat in Cambodia: The Ultimate Culinary & Dining Guide

Cambodian cuisine, or Khmer food, is one of Southeast Asia's most delicious yet overlooked culinary treasures. Characterized by fragrant herbs, subtle spices, coconut creaminess, and fresh river produce, dining in Cambodia ranges from vibrant street markets to Michelin-trained fine dining establishments.

Must-Try Traditional Dishes

When dining across Cambodia, be sure to taste these iconic national dishes:

Fish Amok: Steamed freshwater fish fillet infused with kroeung herb paste, coconut milk, and egg, served inside a banana leaf bowl.
Beef Lok Lak: Stir-fried tender beef cubes served over fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and dipping sauce of lime juice and Kampot black pepper.
Khmer Red Curry: A rich, aromatic coconut milk curry with chicken or beef, sweet potatoes, and eggplant.
Kep Fried Crab with Kampot Pepper: Freshly caught sea crab stir-fried with green peppercorn sprigs.
Nom Banh Chok: Traditional Khmer rice noodles topped with warm fish-based green curry broth and fresh wild herbs.

20 Best Places to Eat in Cambodia

1. Cuisine Wat Damnak

Cuisine: Modern Elevated Khmer
Location: Wat Bo Area, Siem Reap
Must-Try Dish: Seasonal Khmer Tasting Menu
About the Place: Regularly ranked among Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, Cuisine Wat Damnak blends authentic Cambodian flavors with French culinary techniques using local seasonal ingredients.
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2. Malis Restaurant

Cuisine: Fine Dining Royal Khmer
Location: Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh & Siem Reap
Must-Try Dish: Royal Cambodian Fish Amok
About the Place: Helmed by Master Chef Luu Meng, Malis is dedicated to reviving and elevating traditional Cambodian recipes in a stunning courtyard garden setting.
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3. The Sugar Palm

Cuisine: Traditional Khmer Comfort Food
Location: Siem Reap
Must-Try Dish: Authentic Fish Amok
About the Place: Housed in a traditional wooden house, Chef Kethana Dunnet serves classic homemade Cambodian recipes celebrated worldwide for purity and authenticity.
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4. Chanrey Tree

Cuisine: Countryside Khmer Cuisine
Location: Pokambor Avenue, Siem Reap
Must-Try Dish: Crispy Sticky Rice with Natang Pork Dip
About the Place: Situated along the Siem Reap riverfront in a polished garden courtyard, Chanrey Tree offers exquisite traditional dishes made from locally sourced organic ingredients.
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5. Haven Restaurant

Cuisine: Asian & Western Fusion
Location: Wat Bo Area, Siem Reap
Must-Try Dish: Khmer Chicken Curry with Rice
About the Place: HAVEN is a vocational social enterprise restaurant training disadvantaged young adults while serving delicious, high-quality food in a tropical garden setting.
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6. Romdeng

Cuisine: Regional Khmer Specialties
Location: Phnom Penh
Must-Try Dish: Deep-Fried Tarantula with Lime Dip
About the Place: Set inside a restored colonial villa with a swimming pool, Romdeng is operated by Mith Samlanh to empower former street youth through hospitality excellence.
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7. Kep Crab Market Seafood Stalls

Cuisine: Fresh Seafood / Grill
Location: Waterfront, Kep
Must-Try Dish: Stir-Fried Blue Crab with Fresh Kampot Green Peppercorns
About the Place: An iconic cluster of rustic waterfront eateries built over the ocean where live crabs are hauled directly from sea traps to stir-fry wok pans.
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8. Eleven One Kitchen

Cuisine: Healthy Eco-Khmer
Location: BKK1 & Toul Tom Poung, Phnom Penh
Must-Try Dish: Beef Lok Lak with Organic Brown Rice
About the Place: Eleven One Kitchen offers wholesome, plastic-free dining featuring MSG-free traditional Khmer recipes made from locally sourced organic ingredients.
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9. Spoons Café & Restaurant

Cuisine: Modern Authentic Khmer
Location: Wat Bo Area, Siem Reap
Must-Try Dish: Pork Ribs with Honey & Kampot Pepper
About the Place: Built out of eco-friendly bamboo architecture, Spoons supports hospitality training for underprivileged Cambodian youth while delivering outstanding authentic Khmer flavors.
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10. Marum

Cuisine: Innovative Khmer Tapas
Location: Wat Polanka Area, Siem Reap
Must-Try Dish: Red Tree Ant & Beef Stir-Fry
About the Place: A social-enterprise restaurant housed in a quiet wooden house surrounded by gardens, serving delicious creative Cambodian small plates.
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11. Labaab Restaurant

Cuisine: Mekong Regional Cuisine
Location: Central Phnom Penh
Must-Try Dish: Mekong River Prawn Curry
About the Place: Located above a bustling street in Phnom Penh, Labaab serves heritage rural dishes collected across provinces along the Mekong River in an artistic venue.
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12. Tevy's Place

Cuisine: Homecooked Khmer
Location: Siem Reap City Center
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Spring Rolls & Beef Lok Lak
About the Place: Run by a beloved local lady, Tevy's Place delivers delicious, affordable home-cooked Cambodian favorites while supporting local women's employment.
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13. Epic Arts Café

Cuisine: Western & Asian Café Classics
Location: Kampot Riverfront Area
Must-Try Dish: Homemade Gourmet Sandwiches & Fresh Mango Smoothies
About the Place: Epic Arts Café is an inclusive social business employing deaf and disabled staff, serving great coffee, cakes, and light meals in Kampot.
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14. Banteay Srey Women's Restaurant

Cuisine: Home-style Vegetarian & Khmer
Location: Kampot
Must-Try Dish: Pumpkin Coconut Curry
About the Place: A charming river-view retreat operated as part of a non-profit organization supporting young Cambodian women with vocational culinary skills.
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15. Friends the Restaurant

Cuisine: International & Asian Tapas
Location: Near National Museum, Phnom Penh
Must-Try Dish: Duck & Mango Spring Rolls
About the Place: A famous hospitality training restaurant near the National Museum serving creative tapas and fruit shakes for over two decades.
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16. Phsar Thmey Night Food Stalls

Cuisine: Authentic Khmer Street Food
Location: Central Market, Phnom Penh
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Pork Skewers with Pickled Papaya & Rice
About the Place: Every evening, surrounding market streets light up with open-air food stalls serving budget-friendly authentic local specialties.
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17. Rith Mony Lok Lak Spot

Cuisine: Traditional Khmer Grill
Location: Phnom Penh
Must-Try Dish: Sizzling Pepper Beef Lok Lak
About the Place: A local favorite among Phnom Penh residents seeking classic, perfectly seasoned Cambodian beef lok lak served hot with fresh garlic rice.
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18. Sambo Khmer & Thai Restaurant

Cuisine: Family-style Khmer & Thai
Location: Siem Reap
Must-Try Dish: Seafood Amok Curry
About the Place: A warm, family-run eatery praised by travelers for consistent quality, welcoming hospitality, and affordable authentic local dishes.
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19. Banllé Vegetarian Restaurant

Cuisine: Organic Plant-based Khmer
Location: Wat Bo Area, Siem Reap
Must-Try Dish: Plant-based Fish Amok with Organic Vegetables
About the Place: Located in a traditional wooden house with its own organic vegetable garden, Banllé crafts delicious vegetarian and vegan interpretations of Khmer classics.
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20. The Atelier

Cuisine: Modern Bistro & Kampot Pepper Grill
Location: Kampot Riverfront
Must-Try Dish: Kampot Pepper Steak & Fresh Pastas
About the Place: Set inside a beautifully renovated French colonial heritage building along the Kampot river, serving refined bistro cuisine featuring local spices.
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Featured Image

Traditional Cambodian Fish Amok Dish