ChI Eats
Restaurants – where to lunch, where to dine
Restaurants in Phnom Penh are wonderful, and of a standard that rivals those in larger urban centres including Jakarta and Bangkok.
Khmer food is “undersold” as compared to its Thai and Vietnamese neighbours, but certainly holds its own, especially when it comes to seafood.
Phnom Penh also has a sizeable population of western chefs and has a range of fine French dining, inventive tapas bars, comfort pub food, and sophisticated delicatessens. In fact, people rarely have a bad food experience. While there are plenty of veggies available, vegetarians need to be careful as dishes containing meat are not always carefully labelled. …..
Lunch At…
European Food:
● Join the hipster, expat crowd at the charming Shop for a range of
sandwiches, quiches, and desserts. The menu changes weekly and can be
e-mailed to you in advance. The shop also delivers on those busy or bad hair
days. With its wide plank floors, murals, and patio seating, the shop is a
charming spot. Open only for breakfast and lunch and closes at 3 pm.
● The Deli run by a somewhat eccentric Frenchman is recommended for paninis
to die for; and its blue cheeseburger. Open for lunch and dinner and also does
home delivery.
● Nature and the Sea is not a spot for those afraid of heights, set on the
rooftop of an art deco building on Norodom, it a quaint, insiders spot with a
range of savoury and salty crepes. Go ahead and indulge, the view merits a
glass of white wine. There is also a nice selection of juices and teas; it is a
health food joint after all.
Asian Food
● Annam (also an Indian joint) but the one ChI recommends is Vietnamese, a
colourful, stereotypically Asian restaurant in the style of Berkeley. Try the rice
pancakes or the “caramelized fish.” Also open for dinner, but best experienced
during the day. Located on the corner of Sotheros and Sihanouk Blvds.
● Khmer Surrin a charming Thai/Khmer restaurant built on three levels to
accommodate your mood of the day; the top floor is the party floor, the
second accommodates seating on the ground for sloshy, philosophical
evenings, and the first floor is where you want to take your business contact.
Decorated in Khmer antiques and silks On St. 55.
Dine At….
For European
● Comme a la Maison, as the name suggests for comforting, casual French
food
● Topaz, upscale continental cuisine housed in a charming building with an
extensive wine cellar
● FCC, on the riverfront, has an eclectic menu of fusion, continental dishes and
fantastic pizza baked in a wood-fired oven.
● Pacharan, a swanky tapas bar under new Spanish ownership has a nice wine
selection and assortment of tapas, which are more inspiring than the mains.
● Cantina, close to the FCC, has genuine soft-shell tacos and Pacifico beer;
popular hang-out for journalists.
● Friends, a fusion tapas bar that supports street children. Wonderful, breezy
spot for the decadent week-end lunch. Be sure to try the chilli, pineapple
margarita; quite tasty.
For Asian/Middle-Eastern, check out
● Le Cedre, a Lebanese mezze restaurant with a nice barbeque and assortment
of cold tapas-style dishes
● Shiva Shakti, a funky Indian restaurant located on Sotheros
● In Romdeng, not only can you dine in one of the most tasteful Khmer
restaurants, but by doing so, you will also be supporting a host of street
children. Romdeng offers restaurant training to street youth to equip them to
earn an income. Try the Fish Amok, the speciality of the chef. For the more
adventuresome, a must-have is the grilled tarantula with a spicy sauce.
