The Boeung Keng Kang 1 – referred to as BKK1 – area of Phnom Penh is packed full of coffee shops, with more seemingly opening by the week. Here are the 10 best spots to get your caffeine fix in BKK1.
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.
Set in a lofty, air-conditioned building, this coffee shop has plenty of seating, with private rooms available for meetings or larger groups. There is an outdoor terrace to the back. A range of hot and iced coffees, as well as ice teas are served, along with snacks and pastries.
If you’re missing a taste of home, then international coffee chain Starbucks opened its flagship store in Phnom Penh in 2017 and has proved popular with locals. The spacious two-storey cafe 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.
This Australian-owned and locally operated coffee shop brand has several branches dotted across the capital. Its BKK1 offering is spread across two floors and serves the usual range of hot and iced coffees and teas, as well as snacks and light bites.
Expect to be showered with a chorus of “hellos” upon entering Dance Bakery & Cafe, where the staff epitomise Cambodian hospitality. There is some indoor seating, with a range of coffees and other drinks served, as well as pastries, cakes, bread and light bites to eat in or take away.
French bakery Eric Kayser offers a range of French-inspired breads, pastries, baked goods and bistro snacks. Its BKK1 offering is relatively small and can fill up quickly during lunchtime. A range of coffees, teas and fruit juices are also available.
If you just want a morning nibble rather than a full meal, the popular chain of Cafe Amazon has a branch close to Morchit bus station. Although it’s primarily a place to get a variety of hot and cold drinks to enjoy there, or to go, you’ll still find a basic selection of snacks and sweets. It could be an ideal place for a quick and easy light bite while time-pressed.
Another popular coffee shop name from the West can be found in BKK1, in the form of the spacious two-storey Costa Coffee. Easy to find a seat, this air-conditioned space has a small outdoor seating area, and serves the usual selection of hot and iced coffees and teas, pastries and other light bites.
Café Soleil has been serving the vegetarian crowd for years and is renowned for its wide selection of options, ranging from spring rolls, papaya mixes and pumpkin salads to yummy homemade yogurt. Wanting to ensure all dishes are as healthy as possible, Café Soleil also uses brown rice over the widely used white rice, with the wholegrain having higher nutrition – another boost for the health-conscious among us. It also doubles up as a cafe, serving a range of coffees and other drinks.
Having started life in America in 1963, with a small store in southern California, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf brand has spread across the globe. Its BKK1 offering serves a range of coffees and teas, including the popular iced latte tea.
