If you’ve skipped breakfast and can’t wait for lunch then fear not because, thanks to a swathe of brunch options, you’ll never go hungry in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.
Introducing a dose of Melbourne-cool to Phnom Penh, Enso has a super spread of breakfast and brunch options that will fuel you for the day. Think avocado and feta smash, Tunisian-style baked eggs, American pancakes and mushroom, feta, onion and spinach omelette, all served in a stylish setting.
As a popular Sunday brunch option, indulging in Sofitel’s brunch may take a bit of splashing out but it’s well worth the treat. Every Sunday, La Coupole Restaurant offers a feast of food and drinks from across the globe, from charcuterie and cheeses, home-made terrines and mouth-watering Sunday roasts, to fresh sashimi and a selection of Cambodian noodle soups. Don’t forget to save space for the spread of desserts. $59/ $79 with free flow of Veuve Clicquot brut Champagne and wine/ $99 with the addition of Veuve Clicquot rosé Champagne.
The 240 by MAADS’ weekend brunch ($12) is a great way to while away the weekend. It takes in a range of courses – and thankfully they offer a doggy bag for left over food. Options include seafood okonomiyaki and two eggs of any style: scrambled, poached, over easy or sunny-side up, home-made natural yoghurt and organic muesli, fresh seasonal fruits, and a brownie and Kampot pepper flavoured ice cream. For those wanting to make it boozy, a glass of bubbles is an additional $2.
Set on the Tonle Sap River, Chinese House’s popular weekend brunch fills up quick so reservations are recommended. Live music entertains the crowds and a market selling a range of quality crafted goods is also onsite. The menu takes in a range of dishes, from home-made granola, passion fruit yoghurt popsicles and mango and eggs Benedict, florentine or royale with buttered leeks and cured salmon, to the Chinese full house of eggs of choice, bacon, pork sausages, homemade baked beans and sautéed mushrooms and chicken crepe.
Khéma’s free-flow breakfast is a super way to start the day. For $10.90, choose from Khéma’s famous eggs cooked to taste, a cracking English Breakfast, traditional Cambodian breakfast soup and rice dishes, fruit, muesli and yoghurts and a selection of freshly-baked patisseries. Drinks include coffee, teas and fruit juices.
If a morning caffeine boost is an essential start to your day, then head to Feel Good II. Renowned for its Fairtrade organic coffee beans, hand-selected from across the region, Feel Good’s top team of baristas serve the best coffee in town. It also has a menu to boot, with French toast and bacon, bowls of fresh fruit, muesli and other mouth-watering options on the menu. While the original Feel Good is on Street 136, Feel Good II boasts a spacious tropical garden that is great for chilling in.
Another popular weekend brunch option that is worth splurging on is Raffles Le Royal’s offering. Executive Chef Joel Wilkinson and his culinary team have put together a fantastic buffet selection with highlights taking in the “mashtini” bar, freshly shucked oyster station and array of tempting dishes served at your table, including pass-around specialty cocktails. $58 excluding drinks/ $78 with free flow G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut Champagne, signature wines and cocktails/ $88 with free flow G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Rosé Champagne, signature wines and cocktails.
This cafe and art gallery is the perfect place to start the day. With the focus on hearty and healthy food, options include kale eggs Benedict, avocado toast with dukkah, sunnyside up bowl and green pancakes. There is also an expansive range of fresh juices and smoothies served, and if you want to get super healthy, then ARTillery offers a five-day juice cleanse.
As a stalwart on the coffee shop scene, Java has been catering to the capital’s swelling expat and young Khmer population since 2000. Spread across two floors, breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, with the breakfast options taking in fresh fruit, pastries, a fry up, natural yoghurt, a breakfast burrito, and everything in between. It also has a gallery upstairs, showcasing changing exhibitions of local artists’ work.
This article was originally written by Cassandra Naji and has since been updated.