I’m not sure I can remember a single thing I ate or drank on my first two trips to Siem Reap — aside, of course, from several gallons of cheap cocktails at Angkor Wat? nightclub. Those trips just had a different focus. But for my most recent return to the city, I couldn’t have been more excited to really check out the local bar and restaurant scene. For us this was less rough-and-tumble travel, more chill-and-indulge vacation.
I’ll be honest. I couldn’t have made this list without the amazing advice of — and bespoke cocktail crawl designed by! — Lara Dunston. Lara is one half of the pair behind Gran Tourismo Travels, one of my absolute favorite sites for Southeast Asia advice. As she and her husband Terrance are veteran travel writers based in Siem Reap, you won’t find a better guru for your next trip there than they! For the “Where to Drink” portion of this post, we joined Lara for one of her custom Sip Siem Reap experiences. Here’s how a handful of their suggestions turned out for me.
Where to Eat
Niam Niam
I find it’s rare for a hotel restaurant to be a destination in and of itself. But Niam Niam, the onsite eatery at our beloved Navutu Dreams Resort, is impressive not only for the diversity of their menu — they have macrobiotic health food, green smoothies, and an impressive array of both Khmer and Italian favorites — but also for the fact that you can combine a meal there with a yoga class, aqua zumba session or a plain ‘ol splash in any one of their three onsite pools. Talk about a healthy lunch!
Kroya
No point in sugar coating it — I wanted to come here for the swinging tables. But Kroya, another onsite restaurant, this time at Shinta Mani, has a lot more going for it than unique seating selections. A creative menu of Khmer inspired dishes and craft cocktails made this the perfect place to unwind after a day at Angkor Wat. Kroya serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has both an air-conditioned dining room and open air swings.
If you can, time your meal to match up with the onsite Made in Cambodia market, which runs every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4-9pm. There’s free entertainment, fair trade artisanal crafts, and good vibes all around. None of the vendors are charged to be there and the hotel doesn’t take a percentage of profits — it’s simply an event they throw to the benefit of the local artisan community and tourists alike.
Marum
My favorite find of the trip, Marum is truly a unique dining experience. Marum is a training restaurant for Kaliyan Mith, an NGO that has been working with street children and other at-risk youth in Siem Reap since 2005. We were moved by the earnestness with which the trainees carried out their work, and the kindness that their mentors demonstrated in showing them the ropes. If you want to leave your meal feeling warm and fuzzy, this is the spot.
In addition, there’s a gorgeous garden to dine in, and one of the most creative and fun menus of our trip. Our favorite dishes included taro and chive dumplings with citrus ginger soy for an appetizer, and mango and coconut sushi wrapped in pandan sesame crepes for dessert. I regret we didn’t go for the stir-fried red tree ants with beef and lemongrass as an entree, but oh well — now I have a reason to go back.
Kaya Cafe
Looking for a quick snack or a sweet treat? Swoop by Kaya Cafe and pick up one of their Khmer-inspired desserts — we tried the coconut tart, the leaf-wrapped banana cake with mango coulis, and the coconut waffles with wild honey. If you find yourself in a carb coma after, there’s an onsite spa to indulge in!
Where to Drink
Pages Cafe
The starting point of our Sip Siem Reap tour, Pages is owned by a pair of Cambodian French architects with a passion for 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s style. This laidback bar and café also has a sister hotel by the same name, if you find yourself crushing on their style.
Elephant Bar
Elephant Bar, nestled within the halls of the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, is Siem Reap’s oldest bar. We loved how the modern and creative menu contrasted with the historical elegance of the setting, and we also loved having an excuse to gussy up — this is the rare Cambodian bar where flip flops are not welcome!
Asana Bar
Our favorite stop on the Sip Siem Reap tour was undoubtedly our Cocktail Making Class at Asana Bar. Asana Bar is the Old Market Quarter’s last standing old wooden house, run by the charismatic Cambodian woman Pari. Regular jazz nights, a tucked away location, cocktails created with Khmer ingrediants and an atmosphere unlike any other you’ll find in the city make this one of the coolest bars I’ve ever been to.
And taking a cocktail class just made the experience all the more memorable! Our instructor, Pari’s sassy little sister, led us through a tasting of local Sombai-infused rice liquor, taught us an array of cocktails from ginger mojitos to asana slings, and finally letting us loose to invent our own creations (pressure on Ian was high when the group learned he’s a bartender by trade!).
I drooled over ingredients like fresh lemongrass, tamarind, turmeric and galangal and swooned over the creative Sombai infusions like coconut pineapple. At just $15, you won’t find a more fun way to spend 90 minutes in Siem Reap. Classes start every night at 5:30 — book ahead.
Miss Wong
Our expectations for Miss Wong were high — Lara ranks it as her favorite cocktail bar in the city — and they were met, if not exceeded. This chic, Shanghai-inspired bar serves up not just craft cocktails but an authentic menu of dumplings, noodles, and other drinking night indulgences.
AHA Wine Bar
Pub Street’s AHA wine bar has a lot going for it — its menu of Khmer inspired tapas is fun and inviting, the selection of wines by the glass is impressive, and its chic design stands out among a sea of mediocre options in the area.
And did I mention it has air conditioning? If you’re looking for a drink in the height of mid-day heat, this is your spot. Designed by the architects who own Pages, I couldn’t get enough of this stylish space.
Mezze
This French-Lebanese owned bar is one of the few in Siem Reap that has a real nightclub vibe, with popular parties on Friday and Saturday nights in the second floor space. During the week when we visited, the vibe at Mezze was more lounge-y than dance-y, and we loved the sophisticated atmosphere.
Laundry Bar
Laundry Bar is a favorite hang out of French expats, and we could see how anyone would be drawn by the low prices, amazing playlist and presence of a pool table. Lara told us live music is a big draw some nights, though we loved what they were playing on the low key Sunday we stopped by. No wash and fold service on the menu, however.
Bar Picasso
Prior to arriving, I’d read many reviews hailing Bar Picasso as the “Cheers of Siem Reap,” and couldn’t wait to experience this beloved expat bar for myself. Unfortunately, we didn’t last long — it’s one of Siem Reap’s fully indoor, sealed-off bars, which is great if you’re looking for air conditioning, awful if you’re trying to avoid second-hand smoke. While my allergies wouldn’t stand for me to stand inside, it sure did look fun through the window.
Soul Train
Soul Train, a beach-ready reggae bar tucked away in a small city, was my second favorite stops of the trip after Asana. Popular with backpackers, young expats, and laid back locals, we had way too much fun drinking with Hong, one of the lovely owners (things, including my photos, got a little blurry toward the end). I love this local interview with Hong, who’s life story I listened to intently over passionfruit shots.
We lingered here longer than anywhere else on this list, and I’m certain I’d find myself a regular there if I ever stayed in Siem Reap long term.
Again, I can’t thank Lara enough for our amazing, custom designed cocktail crawl (and her many restaurant recommendations!) If you’re looking for a unique experience with food, drinks, or shopping, or looking for guidance in putting together a dream trip to Cambodia, look no further than Gran Tourismo. Our night was the perfect note to end our short and sweet trip to Cambodia on.
Have you been to Siem Reap? Is there anywhere I need to add to my list for next time?
Wow, the food looks delicious! I tend to look for the cheapest dishes at any destination, but now I want to splurge every now and then on a beautiful location and savory foods. Dining is truly an experience. Oh, and that cocktail class seems oh-so-fun!
Luckily we eat relatively cheaply in our day to day lives on Koh Tao, so when we’re on vacation for three days somewhere, we go wild!
Unwind after a day at Angkor Wat? I couldn’t manage anything more than room service after my day at Angkor Wat!
I did enjoy a nice meal (and view) on the balcony of the Foreign Correspondents Club, which I discovered from Gran Tourismo!
Hi Leigh
So pleased the site was useful to you, too. The FCC also has a new chef doing amazing things if you ever return. He’s introduced all these wonderful green initiatives and is leading the Cambodian team in the development of a more modern approach to Cambodian cuisine. They are doing modern street food snacks now that are so delish. Do get in touch if you ever make it back.
Lara
I’ve actually never been to the FCC Siem Reap — though I have had drinks at the Phnom Penh version!
All these places look really cool! That restaurant with the swings looks so fun, I can’t blame you for going just to swing.
It’s the little things 🙂 And that was one that made us very, very happy!
Looks like we went to the same person for advice! Lara was great company too when I was there.
She’s definitely the local expert! I’d go back just to hang out with her again 🙂
Interesting, have lived here for 18 months and have not been to many of these. But then there are just so many to choose from and we try and stay away from the tourist strip. But Mezze is great and you’ve reminded me I must get back there, for the food as much as the drinks. There are many more you could try, depending on what you are looking for. The Brew Pub is a great place to start if you like a classy setting and craft beer. And Prive Bar has a great rooftop and live music.
But I believe Soul Train is no longer owned by the delightful Hong. He sold it about six months ago.
Glad you enjoyed Temple Town.
That’s too bad about Soul Train — I wonder what his next venture may be, if the rumor is true.
Not a rumour – we know the Australian lady who bought it about six months ago. Hong was still helping out for a while but I’m not sure he still is. He still owns Peace and Love near the night market, as far as I know, and possibly one other. An interesting guy. I interviewed him when we first moved to town and he has been innovative from his first tuk tuk bar.
Gotcha. The way you phrased it “I believe” made it seem unconfirmed.
Hey there!
Thank you sooooo much for the kind words. Had a blast with you two. So sorry it was so short and sweet and that you didn’t meet Terence. Hopefully we’ll catch up with you this year and you can show us *your* island.
Unfortunately Kaya has pared back its “offerings” as those marketing types say in the hospitality world, so the focus is on the spa and the boutique selling their beautiful scented products, and sadly, that cafe space has been cut in half.
On a positive side I wanted to tell you that the food is even better at Kroya now. There’s new management and the Cambodian chef has really taken his contemporary Khmer cuisine to a whole new level. Wow. We were blown away. The swings are still safely there and remain a good reason to go of course.
Lots of new shops, cafes, bars and restaurants have opened since you left so lots of reasons for you to return 🙂
X
It would be our honor to show you around Koh Tao… though a Bangkok meet up could be fun too 😉 Amazing news on Kroya and I’m glad Kaya didn’t cut the desserts entirely! Thank you again for showing us the best of Siem Reap! x
I don’t recall having so many dining and drinking options when I visited in 2009! I really liked Red Piano, although I’m not sure it’s still what’s hip and happening in Siem Reap nowadays ?
Things do seem to change fast in Cambodia… though I’m pleased to report Angkor What? Bar looked as fun as ever 😛
The food looks and sounds delicious – including the red tree ants entree!
Lovin those photos you’re taking again Alex!
Thanks Janice! It’s been fun playing around with food photography! (Not traditionally one of my strengths.)
Siem Reap was a beautiful city with some amazing places to see. What I loved the most though were your photos! I have a pretty good camera but still cant get them to look like yours. Great Job!
It’s hard shooting food and drinks, I think — especially at dinner when lighting conditions are crap! It’s definitely something I’ve struggled with over the years too.
This is my kind of tour! Would 100% do it if I ever found myself in Siem Riep.
Bonus: You get to hang with Lara, who is 100% fun, interesting, and in-the-know about all things Siem Reap!
The coconut waffles look to die for!
I could do for some right now! Nom nom nom!
As much as I love your copy, your food photography is just to DIE for. You truly have the “eye” for photography and I absolutely adore your work.
Thanks Alaina! I’ve taken a huge interest in food photography recently… it’s a new hobby 🙂
We’re relocating to Thailand later this year but now really looking forward to Cambodia! Cool cocktail bars? I’m in!
Cambodia would be a great place for a visa run in that case! Consider it!
Alex!
Great post.
It feels like you are doing a lot less “late night partying” and more “intentional eating/drinking” (which I actually love). Would you say that I am correct, that you have pulled away from some of the harder partying that was being shown, or are you just minimizing the posting of it?
Just curious how you felt about that, since over the years you’ve also noticed changes in your travel style, photography style, etc.
xoxo
Hey Meghan, good question! Well, we did have a pretttttty big night out in Siem Reap when I visited all these bars, ha ha. But really, I think it just goes in phases. I don’t know if partying is in my life any less, but getting into food in a bigger way is definitely in it more 🙂 I can definitely think of some recent trips that were pretty party heavy (Burning Man, Tomorrowland Brazil, etc.) and I still have some pretty big nights out when I’m home on Koh Tao! But I also have taken a lot of more fitness, nature, or boyfriend-focused trips recently too. I definitely hope my wild days are not over, though!
I also love to check out restaurant / cafe besides the street food when I traveled.
That swing table at Kroya looks interesting, how does it feel, eating at that table haha?
It was fairly steady once we got settled 🙂 But very fun and breezy!
Hi Alex! I also went to Soul Train and, being a reggae fan, I loved it including the decor! I really liked that it’s on a quieter street (more like an alley) away from the craziness of Pub Street. 🙂
Soul Train is the best! That would definitely be my local if I lived in Siem Reap 🙂
Oh wow the food looks amazing, i wish i read this post before we went to Siem Reap. We really enjoyed eating at the Angkor Cafe at Le Meridien, great buffet option overlooking their pristine gardens. Defo one i’d recommend.
Nice! Thanks for the tip — I’ll remember that for next time!