High On Love Bites
Cambodia’s capital seduces with a wonderful blend of Khmer, French, Vietnamese, Chinese and Indian cuisines
Words: Kankanit Wichiantanon
Tuk-tuk rides, fresh fruit on ice, and narrow streets vibrant with food vendors and shophouses – all these made us fall in love with Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh.
Overlooking the confluence of three rivers – the Mekong, Tonlé Sap, and Bassac – this historical city has been carved by the currents of time, from the great Khmer Empire to the height of French colonialism and the dark Khmer Rouge era.
Lost along with the millions of lives tragically taken during Khmer Rouge rule from 1975 to 1979 was much of the Khmer culinary heritage. But as the deep wounds of genocide heal, Cambodia is now rediscovering its rich culture bit by bit in search of a harmonious and prosperous future.
The purpose of our visit was to take a big and delicious bite out of its fast-growing capital. Phnom Penh’s streets are teeming with drool-inducing food carts, cafés and restaurants, while the fresh markets are a riot of food vendors, fresh meat, catches of the day, local vegetables adn exotic fruit.
As well as classic Khmer dishes like Nom Banh Chok, Amok, and Lap Khmer, the locals are huge fans of sandwiches. Filled baguettes, a lip-smacking legacy of French rule, are sold at countless Nompang, or Cambodian sandwich shops and carts dotted throughout the city. If bread is your daily heaven, the odds of finding great sandwiches are wonderfully in your favour – a statement backed by the embarrassing amount of nompangs we gobbled down.
Cambodian food is a wonderful blend of Khmer, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Indian cuisines. The growing appetite for Korean and Japanese delights, along with rooftop dining, have breathed new life into the food scene of Phnom Penh. We’ve curated a list of the best restaurants and bars from our recent visit. Use this menu to make your trip to Phnom Penh memorably mouthwatering.
Where to Eat
The Winds
Perched above the Phnom Penh cityscape, The Winds is one of newest and highest rooftop bars in town. Tucked on the 44th and 45th floors of the recently opened Fairfield by Marriott Phnom Penh, the bar serves creative concoctions, scrumptious bites and a bird’s-eye view of the capital.
Prefer a hearty meal over a cocktail session? Glide down to the 27th floor for the hotel’s all-day-dining haunt, where you’ll find a fusion of Western and Asian staples, including Khmer classics like Nom Banh Chok and Bay Srob.
Address: Fairfield by Marriott Phnom Penh, Russian Federation Blvd, 10 Village
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 4pm-11pm.
Website: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pnhfi-fairfield-phnom-penh/dining
Photos: Fairfield by Marriott Phnom Penh
Hall of Golden Chimes
For a one-stop destination to satisfy every lifestyle choice – and craving – head to NagaWorld Integrated Resort. Dubbed Cambodia’s largest hotel and casino, the property boasts 1,658 hotel rooms, numerous gaming halls, over 15 restaurants, bars and clubs, spas and even a live show theatre – spread through every nook and cranny of its two colossal gold-themed buildings, which are linked by an underground shopping centre.
During the visit, we ate our weight in expertly prepared Cantonese fare at the Hall of Golden Chimes. Diners can choose to savour the Live Mekong Lobster steamed with Shaoxing Wine or Peking Duck from their à la carte menu, or opt for the all-you-can-eat dim sum menu loaded with a wide selection of delicious dumplings.
Address: NagaWorld2 Park, Level 5, 120101, Samdech Hun Sen St, Phnom Penh
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 11am-11pm.
Website: www.nagaworld.com/ restaurant/hall-of-golden-chimes
Photos: NagaWorld Intergrated Resort
The Mekong
Foodies, don’t sleep through The Mekong’s First Saturday Brunch, which brims with a scrumptious selection of seafood, Khmer and international staples plus a cornucopia of confections to cater to your sweet-tooth. Dubbed the longest brunch in Phnom Penh, from 11.45am until 3.30pm, it features fun-filled activities like a lucky draw and live entertainment to keep kids and adults alike amused through the feast. Can’t make it there on the first Saturday for brunch? This all-day-dining venue within Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh also serves up a lip-smacking breakfast buffet and à la carte menu all day, every day.
Address: 1st Floor, Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh, No 115 Street 214 At Corner Street 63
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 6.30am-10.30pm.
Website: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pnhcy-courtyard-phnom-penh/dining
Photos: Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh
Celeste Revolving Skybar
There’s no such thing as the perfect table at Celeste Revolving Skybar. The rotating bar with a capacity of 240 people nestled on the 43rd floor of The Penthouse Residence offers a 360-degree view as a side to your scrumptious meal. Every moment comes with a different view of Phnom Penh. Your appetiser could be served with a vista of the Mekong River while dessert may be illuminated by skyscrapers like Vattanac Tower.
Address: The Penthouse Residence, 43rd floor, Phnom Penh Opening hours: Mon-Thu, 5pm-midnight;
Fri-Sun, 5pm-1am
Website: celeste-skybar.com
Photo: Celeste Revolving Skybar
Market Café Restaurant & Lounge
Behind its charming colonial-style facade, Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh hides a contemporary-meets-Khmer interior, with luxurious rooms and suites, as well as a world of deliciousness presented in the form of various top-notch dining establishments.
The all-day-dining Market Café Restaurant & Lounge is the place to gorge on global cuisine in a sun-lit, sophisticated setting that exudes serenity. Here, you’ll find everything from Western classics to Asian comfort fare and well-loved pastries and beverages. Must-tries include sustainably sourced Dover Sole bathed in brown butter, Smoked Salmon Sandwich, and Khmer delights like Fish Amok. Stop by for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner. Family Buffet Brunch is also available every Sunday.
If you happen to drop by in the evening, we recommend checking out the FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar to enjoy a cocktail or two paired with the magnificent Mekong River vista, or travel back a century in the Paris Métro-themed underground bar, Metropole Underground, which we fell in love with.
Address: Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, #55, Street 178,
Sangkat Chey Chumnas
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 6am-10pm; Sat-Sun, 6.30am-10pm Website: www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/cambodia/hyatt-regency- phnom-penh/pnhrp/dining
Photo: Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh
Sora
Here’s an easy way to evaluate your night to fresh heights in Phnom Penh. Sip your way to heaven at Sora, an alluring rooftop bar standing proud on the 37th floor of Rosewood Phnom Penh. Cocktail aficionados can choose between three stylish zones to sip your sundowner: Sora Outdoor with a panoramic view of Phnom Penh, Sora Indoor with a rapturous river view, and the Whisky Library, where you can savour a splendid selection of whiskies and puff on a fine cigar.
Fans of the World’s 50 Best Bars are also in for a treat, thanks to Sora’s collaboration with the prestigious academy. Every month, Sora welcomes an esteemed mixologist from the award-winning list to showcase their creative cocktail flair.
Address: Rosewood Phnom Penh, 37th floor Vattanac Capital Tower, 66 Monivong Boulevard, Sangkat Wat Phnom
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 5pm-12am
Website: www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/phnom-penh/dining/sora
Photos: Rosewood Phnom Penh
The Deck
As frequent visitors to Marriott Hotels across different cities, one thing we know for certain is that the food never lets you down, so we were eager to try Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh. Drinks plus sweet hospitality and a gorgeous vista from the 20th floor at its poolside rooftop bar, The Deck, maintain the high quality. Add flavour to your night with their wide selection of spirits, cocktails and mocktails as your eyes feast on the mighty Mekong River right in front of you.
Address: Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh, No 115 Street 214 At Corner Street 63, Cambodia
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 4pm-11pm
Website: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pnhcy-courtyard-phnom-penh/dining
Photos: Courtyard by Marrott Phnom Penh
The Blue Sky Restaurant
Flavour your day with an umami-packed feast at The Blue Sky Restaurant situated in Dara Airport City Hotel & Spa. When it comes to authentic Khmer cuisine, the all-day-dining restaurant offers some of the best versions of your fave dishes. The restaurant also offers diners a chance to dive deep beyond the familiar Cambodian classics.
Address: Dara Airport City Hotel & Spa, Ratana Plaza Building, Russia Blvd, Sangkat, Toeuk Thla, Khan Sen Sok
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 6am-11pm
Website: www.darahotels.com/daraairportcityhotelandspa
Photos: Dara Airport City Hotel & Spa
Cuts
When it comes to succulent steaks, Cuts doesn’t cut corners. This snazzy steakhouse within Rosewood Phnom Penh delivers impeccable cuts expertly prepared by the chef-butcher team. What really made this place alluring to us was the elegant service and picture-perfect setting of dark wood, red leather and gold, accented by warm lightning. The roaring wood-fired oven at the heart of the restaurant doles out warm crusty loaves, which to us ardent bread fans, was a highlight on its own.
Indulge your meat lust by opting for the premium Full-Blood Wagyu Beef, aka the Chocolate Wagyu from the farmers of Mayura Station, South Australia, where cows are fed with a grain-chocolate blend that lends a subtle sweetness to the cuts. Pair that with the tipple of your choice from the wine vault stacked high with over 3,000 bottles.
Address: Rosewood Phnom Penh, Vattanac Capital Tower, 66 Monivong Boulevard, Sangkat Wat Phnom
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 12pm-2.30pm for lunch and 6pm-10.30pm for dinner
Website: www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/phnom-penh/dining/cuts
Photos: Rosewood Phnom Penh
Where to Stay
Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh
Marriott members and non-members alike will find Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh a delight thanks to its comfortable and contemporary features and facilities, as well as its location surrounded by a banquet of local restaurants.
Address: Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh, No 115 Street 214 At Corner Street 63
Website: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pnhcy-courtyard-phnom-penh/overview
Photos: Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh
Fairfield by Marriott Phnom Penh
Occupying the upper floors of one of Cambodia’s tallest buildings, the Chip Mong Tower, Fairfield by Marriott Phnom Penh offers striking views of Phnom Penh along with exceptional F&B programmes. The seafood-studded Fairfield Family Brunch, which is served every other week at the all-day-dining restaurant, is a good enough reason to stay here.
Address: Fairfield by Marriott Phnom Penh, Russian Federation Blvd, 10 Village
Website: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pnhfi-fairfield-phnom-penh/overview
Photos: Fairfield by Marriott Phnom Penh
Rosewood Phnom Penh
For an indulgent stay, Rosewood Phnom Penh with its uniquely elegant design, exquisite amenities and excellent location in the heart of the city promises a sensory experience you won’t forget too soon.
Address: Rosewood Phnom Penh, Vattanac Capital Tower, 66 Monivong Boulevard, Sangkat Wat Phnom
Website: www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/phnom-penh
Photos: Rosewood Phnom Penh