The definitive Phnom Penh day: colonial hilltop temples, Art Deco market halls, sobering history, and a sundowner on the Mekong. Every stop has a budget, mid, and high option — mix and match to match your day.
A no-frills Cambodian coffee den beloved by locals. Strong iced drip with sweetened condensed milk — the city's signature morning ritual at street-stall prices. Right on Sisowath Quay with river views.
The gold-standard local chain. The Sisowath Quay branch opens early and catches the morning Mekong breeze. Full espresso menu plus reliable Western breakfast items.
Phnom Penh's most elevated morning coffee — literally. Perched on Level 35 of Vattanac Capital Tower with sweeping views over the city and the Mekong. Specialty coffee, light breakfast, and an unforgettable backdrop.
The spiritual and geographical heart of the city. This hilltop Buddhist temple, dating to 1372, is the founding site of Phnom Penh. Resident monkeys, incense smoke, and panoramic views over the riverside make it an unmissable start to the day. Entry is $1 for foreigners.
A beloved local institution open since 1996, tucked beside Psar Thmei on Street 136. The draw is the pâté bread (num pang) — crusty baguette loaded with Cambodian fillings — alongside Khmer sweets and iced coffee, all at street-stall prices. A proper budget breakfast steps from Central Market.
A cherished Phnom Penh institution run by a Belgian baker. Legendary pastries, proper espresso, and hearty breakfast sandwiches in a cosy shophouse off the riverside. Get there before 9am or the croissants sell out.
The most polished breakfast in the city, served inside a beautifully restored colonial building steps from the Royal Palace. Think fluffy eggs Benedict, fresh-squeezed juice, and impeccable French press coffee with white-tablecloth service.
One of the finest Art Deco buildings in Southeast Asia, built in 1937 under French colonial rule. The enormous pale-yellow dome shelters four wings of gold jewellers, silk merchants, street food vendors, and souvenir stalls. A living piece of Phnom Penh's architectural soul — free to enter and wander.
The cold drink the market earns you, five minutes from the dome and directly on the way to the Independence Monument. Ai-CHA is an Indonesian tea and ice cream chain — founded in 2019 by the Lie brothers and since spread across Southeast Asia and well beyond it — and the Phsar Thmei branch does the job cheaply: the fruit teas are made with actual fruit, the brown sugar milk tea is the safe order, and almost nothing on the board troubles two dollars.
A popular, highly-rated Phnom Penh favourite serving traditional Khmer-style Num Pang sandwiches — crispy baguette, bold fillings — alongside inventive iced coffees like salted coffee, egg coffee, and coconut coffee. Air-conditioned, budget-friendly, and always buzzing.
The most storied bar in Cambodia, inside the legendary Raffles Le Royal. The Elephant Bar has been a gathering point for journalists, diplomats, and travellers since 1929. Morning cocktails or a Bloody Mary among colonial antiques and ceiling fans. The Poolside Terrace next door is equally languid.
Built in 1958 to mark Cambodia's independence from France, this striking lotus-shaped stupa is modelled on the towers of Angkor Wat. It sits at the heart of a busy roundabout at the intersection of Norodom and Sihanouk boulevards — best viewed from the pavement with a walking loop around the perimeter.
A no-nonsense food hall with stalls representing cuisines from across Southeast Asia. Choose from Khmer, Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese dishes at plastic-table prices. Filling, fast, and genuinely local.
Phnom Penh's favourite Chinese-Cambodian comfort stop. Hand-folded dumplings, silky wonton noodle soup, and crispy spring rolls. Always busy at lunch — the queues move fast and the prices stay honest.
The most celebrated upscale Khmer dining room in the country. Chef Luu Meng's kitchen transforms royal-era recipes — amok, lok lak, and banana blossom salad — into elegant plates with flawless technique. The garden setting is the quietest lunch you'll have all day.
A former high school converted by the Khmer Rouge into a notorious security prison between 1975–79. Now a sobering and essential museum preserving the testimony of the regime's victims. Allow at least two hours, hire an audio guide, and be prepared for a deeply affecting visit. Entry $3.
The backpacker favourite and the city's best market for silk scarves, silverware, vintage Khmer trinkets, and knock-off sportswear. The covered food section along the perimeter serves fresh coconuts, fried banana fritters, and cold noodle dishes. Go before 5pm — stalls close at dusk.
The city's most laid-back hang. Cold Angkor drafts, cheap cocktails, and a great vibe as the sky turns gold. Come early to claim the best spot.
Step it up with a cocktail menu that goes beyond the basics — house-infused spirits, Kampot pepper margaritas, and a small plates menu to soak it all up. Great atmosphere and honest prices.
The most sophisticated evening perch in the city, on Level 49 of the Shangri-La Hotel. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Mekong and Tonle Sap confluence at golden hour. A serious spirits selection, elevated bar snacks, and impeccable service.