Food in Siem Reap

When it comes to food, there is no lack of choice in Siem Reap which has an astounding variety of restaurants offering exceptional Cambodian food. Cuisines from Asia and Europe are well represented as restaurants offer Italian, Thai, German, Vietnamese, India, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and given its long relationship with France, pretty good French.

Affordable Cambodian Cuisine

Eating in Siem Reap does not need to be not a pricey affair. The 5-star hotels have their share of sumptuous restaurants but moderately priced places and inexpensive street dining can be found around Psar Chas (Old Market).

Find delicious Cambodian food in restaurants east of the river on Achasvar and Wat Bo Streets. Long-time favorite Bayon is now packed with tourists, but the house specialty of chicken curry in a coconut shell is worth waiting for. Dishes between US$2-5.

Khmer Kitchen Restaurant in The Alley is almost everyone’s favorite. A family run restaurant with an exceptional menu, it serves Khmer home cooking with an occasional modern twist for between US$2-US$3 per entrée.

To sample Khmer-Asian fusion cuisine, check out L’Escale des Arts & des Sens by celebrity chef Didier Corlou. Pick from either an indoor jazzy atmosphere or star-lit garden dining to sample wonderful tapas and rice wine for prices between US$5-US$20.

Street Dining

From early morning till late at night, pull up a seat at food stalls on the west side of Psar Chas or on Achasvar St, just south of National Route 6. Dishes are mainly freshly fried or cooked to order for US$1-2. Dessert carts can be found on Sivatha Street in the evenings.

Blue Pumpkin

Snazzy Angkor Café, close to the temple complex, sells good coffee, tea, sandwiches and pastries supplied by Blue Pumpkin in its shop which also has a little gallery for art and souvenirs. A top favorite of locals and tourists alike, Blue Pumpkin in town sells freshly baked crusty croissants, pastries French bread and home-made ice-cream. A top spot for breakfast or brunch but stays open till 10pm.