The 10 Best Restaurants In Kampot

Located in southern Cambodia, the coastal town of Kampot is a popular tourist spot. Amidst its tranquil atmosphere, unspoiled riverside, and the untouched nature, a variety of restaurants offering a wide selection of delicate local cuisine can be found. Let’s take a look at some of the best.

Epic Arts Café

As the name suggests, this café is themed on local art and culture; several art courses are open for travelers with all details marked on blackboards hanging on the wall. Guests are required to remove their shoes before entering the café, while the homey aesthetic enables travelers to enjoy a peaceful environment while eating. A wide selection of food is on offer, along with local handicrafts to boot.

Khmer Root Café

This bamboo hut hidden in the rural side of Kampot is the number one place for authentic Khmer food. A wide selection of choices including massaman curry, banana flower salads and chicken with Kampot peppers are available. All dishes are prepared in the open kitchen so travelers can ensure only the freshest ingredients are used. Remember to call and reserve a seat before going and consider joining in with one of the regular cooking courses for something a little more immersive.

Price: Low
Watch out for: Authentic Khmer food
Address: Near the Secret Lake, Kampot, Cambodia, +855 88 356 8016

Auberge du Soleil

Housed in a yellow French-style building located on a Kampot street corner, Auberge du Soleil is certainly one of the best restaurants in town. The immaculate service begins with staff explaining dishes in detail so diners can choose cuisines best matched with their tastes. Local delights and international cuisines including beef tartar, beef capriccio, garlic prawn, Swiss rosti and chocolate fondant, while foodies must not miss out specialties like Khmer coffee and home-made yogurt either.

Ecran Noodle Shop

This humble, family-run restaurant is a famous dining place among locals and a spot where travelers can experience local Cambodian culture and try out authentic cuisine. Although options on the menu are limited to dumplings, soups, and noodles, the flavors won’t disappoint. Aside from local food, another appeal of the restaurant is the open kitchen where noodles are freshly made from flour in front of diners.

Price: Low
Opening hours: Wed to Mon 11am – 9pm
Watch out for: Freshly made noodles
Address: Kampot Riverfront, between Old Bridge and Kampot Hospital, Kampot, Cambodia, +855 010 249 411

Ellie's

This cozy café is a prominent watering hole for expats to chill and mingle at. Good news for herbivores too: meat-free breakfasts with mushrooms, tomatoes, potato and corn in generous proportions are available on the menu. Other popular brunch options include freshly baked home-made bread, cookies, cakes and muesli with house-made yogurt. Do not forget to order a cup of coffee from the drink menu and take a look at the book swap and second-hand clothes shop at the back of the café, too.

Rikitikitavi

Surrounded by coconut trees and fragrant flowers, Rikitikitavi offers amazing views of the unspoiled natural setting of Kampot. An amazing array of cuisine ranging from international dishes and local delights are included on the extensive menu. With piles of beef topped with salad, the beef lok lak satisfies the fantasy of all meat lovers, while there are also choices like chicken skewers with pepper and lime sauce as well as burgers.

Price: Mid
Opening hours: 7am – 10pm
Watch out for: Beef lak lak
Address: Riverside Road, Kampot, Cambodia

Barca

Restaurant

Barca has multiple meanings: “blessings” in Hebrew; “luck” in French and “ramshackle shelter” in Flemish. All the different interpretations are captured in this restaurant serving delicious cuisine in a peaceful setting too. Tapas from Spain is the feature, and the menu includes mezzes like garlic bread, bruschetta, and tzatziki. For those willing to try something else, opt for the every day changing main dish.

Honeymoon Creperie

A mixed menu offering both eastern and western cuisine features both authentic Southeast Asian dishes like Tom Tum and French pancakes in generous proportion. The crepe line-up includes forest crepe stuffed with plenty of ham and mushroom and sweet crepe with bananas and chocolate sauce, all beautifully presented. The interesting drinks menu provides creative juices and mixers too.

Price: Mid
Watch out for: French crepes
Address: No. 56 st726, Close to 2000 Roundabout, Kampot, Cambodia, +855 15 402 321

NOLA Restaurant and Bar

Bar, Market, Restaurant

The antique popcorn machine teamed with pendant lights, playful posters and signs scattered around this restaurant, as well as the wooden shelves filled with liquors and wines, all create a chic and classy environment for diners to unwind in. Savory cuisine from New Orleans is served in the resultant, including chicken etouffee, beef and bacon burger, seafood gumbo and more. While diners are enjoying the relaxing music, do not forget the fine whiskeys that abound.

La Java Bleue

Restaurant

Decorated in French chinoiserie, delicate French cuisine is served in this traditional colonial building. The head chef Jean Claude is the backbone of the restaurant, who selects fresh ingredients from local markets every day. Lunch options include crepes, omelets, salads, sandwiches, fruit and cheese platters, while the wood fire BBQ dinner starts at 6pm and offers swordfish, barracuda, Mahi Mahi, succulent beef fillet and T-bone steak to name just a few.