Great Cafes to Visit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Having recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, The Shop has built up a strong reputation across the country. Launched as a reaction to the lack of decent bread in the capital, The Shop shines when it comes to baked goods, as well as quality fresh produce and healthy dishes. With several locations across the capital, the original Street 240 venue is a leafy tranquil retreat. Don’t forget to visit the nearby Chocolate Shop to indulge in some fine Belgian treats.

Health is the main focus of the menu at Backyard Cafe, which specialises in vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free food. Boasting a menu that changes with the seasons, the organic-centric menu is vibrant, with everything sold made in-house. A range of juice cleanses are also available, as well as a variety of local products to take home.

As the brainchild of four Cambodian cousins, Brown is well and truly a homegrown success story. Since opening its inaugural store in 2009, Brown has helped fuel the capital’s coffee shop culture among the younger generation and now boasts more than 14 outlets, a baking facility and training centre. Offering bright, breezy, air-conditioned interiors, expect all outlets to be packed from dawn until dusk.

Adding to the French bakery’s lengthy list of global locations is Eric Kayser’s Cambodia offerings. Bread is the speciality, and Eric Kayser does it well, with shelves of different buns, loaves, baguettes and rolls. They also serve a range of delicious baked goods, pastries and a small menu of main meals.

La Chronique is another newbie in the Russian Market area. Taking the designs you’d expect to see on the pavements of Paris and giving it a Cambodian twist, this café and bistro comes with a serving of style. Specialising in providing top quality coffee, its baristas use specially sourced variable temperature kettles and a Hairo drip scale to create smooth brews.

If you’re missing a taste of home then international coffee chain Starbucks recently opened its flagship store in Phnom Penh. The spacious two-storey coffee shop features an interactive coffee bar where visitors can experience a range of brewing techniques, including Siphon, Cold Brew, Pour-over, Coffee Press and the state-of- the-art Black Eagle espresso machine.

As the venture of Daughters of Cambodia, this cafe on the top floor of the organisation’s visitor centre and boutique store serves fresh smoothies, coffee, sandwiches and other small meals. Employees are former victims of trafficking who are being trained by the organisation.