The cafes in Phnom Penh lend a certain charm to the capital city of Cambodia. These eateries carry an Instagram-worthy aesthetic across town. Whether you want original Cambodian coffee or your regular Starbucks order, they have it all. Not to mention a delectable choice of savoury and sweet dishes to go along with your coffee as well. Here is a list of original cafes and little spots that you must check out on your visit to Phnom Penh.
1. Feel Good Cafe
Feel Good Cafe’s coffee has to be on your list while visiting Phnom Penh. And the good thing is that you don’t necessarily have to go to their outlet for a cup since they supply beans to cafes across the city. Feel Good Cafe is Cambodia’s premier coffee brand with fairly-traded beans from Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. They have three outlets in Phnom Penh, but if you wish to see the roasting of original beans, visit the one near the Independence Monument.
Address: #79 Street 136
Timings: 7.30 AM to 6 PM
Must Haves: Breakfast burrito, French toast, Eggs benedict, Bagels
2. Backyard Cafe
This cafe is the reason for raw foods, vegetarian, and vegan options in all the cafes across town. The coffee is brewed from organic beans from Lao and Vietnam. Their cafe is the home to healthy and in-house products, made fresh each day. They also offer cold-pressed juices. Backyard’s sister cafe, Vibe is just next door, which is also worth checking out!
Address: 11B Street 246
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM
Must Haves: Key Lime Pie, Ginger Turmeric Tea, Green Smoothies, Superfood Burger
3. Java Creative Cafe
Java Creative Cafe is one of the prominent art cafes in the city. It’s a community art space based in three locations- the Independence Monument, Toul Kork, and Toul Tom Poung. They support Cambodian and local artists, along with their own coffee blend. They have a full food menu (with homemade items), and you’ll never get bored here- they host rotating exhibitions, film screenings, talks on art and culture, etc. regularly.
Address: #56, Sihanouk Boulevard
Timings: 7 AM to 10 PM
Must Haves: Espresso, Iced Salted Caramel Cappuccino
4. Lot 369
For true Australian vibes, you can’t go wrong with a sip of Melbourne-style flat white. Founded by an Australian couple, Lot 369 brews the perfect cup. Their blend is sourced from Feel Good as well as from single-origin beans of Ethiopia. Their location in Street 155 is pretty famous with murals painted in the outdoor courtyard space. They serve everything from vegan options to Asian fusion with a spot of dramatic presentation.
Address: #144 Street 155
Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM
Must Haves: Espresso, French Press, Iced Kampot Tea with lemongrass and pepper, Aai bowls, Cashew milk (in-house)
5. Artillery Arts Cafe
This is another prominent art cafe in Phnom Penh. Their medium roast Arabica coffee is 100% organic, along with the option of cashew and coconut milk. They also provide gluten and nut-free, vegan and raw options, promoting sustainable food along with artists. You’ll find wall murals painted in the outdoor seating, and mixed with the artistry of the street, it's very aesthetically pleasing.
Address: Laneway 240
Timings: 7.30 AM to 9 PM
Must Haves: Cold-pressed juices, Original Raw Cheesecake, Vegan Smoothies
6. Brown Cafe
Brown cafe is a Cambodia-established chain that is popular as a workspace among the locals. It’s a cafe cum restaurant, perfect for meetings and a great cup of coffee. The ambiance of the place makes you understand the attraction of sitting here. You can conveniently sit here with your order- read a book, catch up on your work, the vibes are soothing.
Address: Street 57, Khan Doun
Timings: 6.30 AM to 9 PM
Must Haves: Chocolate Croissants, Smoothies, Carbonara Spaghetti
7. The Shop
Owned by a Belgian fashion designer named Griet Lorre, The Shop is the picture book cafe for brunch or a mid-morning meal while touring the city. They have fresh baked goods, healthy dishes, and creamy coffee. Two out of the five branches in the city are The Chocolate Shop, which sells delightful chocolate-based baked goods and items.
Address: #1B Street 102 and #39, Street 240
Timings: 6.30 AM to 10 PM
Must Haves: Belgian Waffles, Cuban-style Sandwiches, Smoked Salmon
8. Eric Kayser Artisan Boulanger
The cafe’s namesake and founder Eric Kayser is a French baker and food writer with a passion for bread. The Parisian-style cafe is known for its buns, rolls, baguettes, and pastries with coffee brewed with beans from Coperaco. The second branch of the cafe opened up recently in Street 240.
Address: 275, Preah Sisowath Quay
Timings: 6.30 AM to 9.30 PM
Must Haves: Croissants, Pain au Chocolat
9. Enso
Enso is another Melbourne-style cafe in the city. It's a huge place, slightly decorated and thus, very open and airy. They have a separate coffee station (made with Khmer beans) where you can grab a cup in a hurry when the place is full. They support an all-day breakfast, vegan desserts, yoga classes, and reusable cups.
Address: #50B Street 240
Timings: 7 AM to 8 PM
Must Haves: Vegan Muffin, Walnut Bread
10. La Chronique
This cafe is located in a gorgeous french building on Street 135, depicting the French influences in Khmer culture. The owner Oeng Pichraksmey was a part of the World Barista Competition and is known for her passion for coffee. Their coffee is brewed from Feel Good beans, and the attention to detail in the place and products is immaculate. They also have a patio upstairs for seating.
Address: Street 135
Time: 6.30 AM to 8 PM
Must Haves: Strawberry and Banana Pancakes, Avocado Toast