The changing face of Cambodian cafes

Coffee in Cambodia is not just a drink. It is a rhythm. It is part of the country’s quiet choreography—present in the first light of morning and lingering into the slow fade of evening.

Before the city fully wakes, street vendors begin their ritual. A metal phin rests atop a glass, releasing dark drops one at a time. Condensed milk waits below, thick and patient. The process cannot be rushed. Coffee, here, teaches you to wait.

On sidewalks across Phnom Penh, people gather around small tables and plastic stools. Some speak. Some scroll through their phones. Some sit alone, watching the street unfold. Coffee is often less about consumption and more about presence.

In this series you will find:

Coffee Culture and Cafes of Cambodia: Set 1 — Morning Rituals Coffee Culture and Cafes of Cambodia: Set 2 — Street Coffee Coffee Culture and Cafes of Cambodia: Set 3 — Modern Cafes Coffee Culture and Cafes of Cambodia: Set 4 — People and Coffee Coffee Culture and Cafes of Cambodia: Set 5 — Quiet Spaces

The Journey of coffee in Cambodia: From quiet plantations to city buzz

Long before the aroma of espresso drifted through Phnom Penh’s buzzing streets, coffee in Cambodia began quietly—rooted in red soil, shaded by tall trees, and nurtured by time.

Coffee first arrived during the French colonial era in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The French, bringing their café traditions with them, saw Cambodia’s climate as ideal for cultivation. Plantations slowly took root, especially in the highlands of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri, and in the neighboring coffee-growing influence from Vietnam. Robust, hardy beans grew well, and though Cambodia didn’t instantly become a global coffee powerhouse, a local bond with the crop quietly began.

Then came decades of difficulty. Wars and hardship meant coffee, like much of Cambodian life, faced disruption. But even in those years, coffee never fully disappeared. In markets and roadside stalls, Khmer iced coffee—dark, strong, mixed with sweet condensed milk—became both comfort and fuel. Vendors poured it from metal pitchers into plastic bags, tied with string, with a straw poking out. It was affordable, energizing, and uniquely Cambodian. Coffee became less of a luxury and more of a daily ritual.

As the country rebuilt and opened to the world in the 1990s and 2000s, a new chapter began. Cities grew, and so did curiosity. International influences flowed in—travelers, expatriates, returning Cambodians—and with them came modern cafés. First came small family-run coffee shops, then international franchises, then independent specialty cafés. Cozy spaces with Wi-Fi appeared, offering not just drinks but places to study, meet friends, and dream. Coffee transformed from a simple beverage into a lifestyle.

By the 2010s, coffee culture in Cambodia was flourishing. Local entrepreneurs began roasting their own beans. Farmers in Mondulkiri and the northeast experimented with improving quality. Baristas emerged—not just as servers—but as artists who understood flavor, craft, and story. Instagram and Facebook filled with latte art, café interiors, and hashtags celebrating Cambodian coffee pride.

And then came Gen Z.

This generation didn’t just consume coffee; they redefined it. For them, coffee is creativity, identity, and community. They meet in cafés to study, create content, build startups, and collaborate on ideas. They celebrate local beans, support Cambodian growers, and value sustainability. Many see coffee as a bridge—connecting tradition with modern life, local heritage with global taste.

Today, Cambodia’s coffee culture stands vibrant and confident. From rustic roadside iced coffee stalls to minimalist specialty cafés, coffee has woven itself into daily life. It tells a story of resilience, adaptation, and growth—a story of how something once foreign has become beautifully Cambodian.

And as Gen Z continues to brew new ideas, one thing is clear: the future of Cambodian coffee is full of energy—rich, bold, and full of possibilities, just like the country itself.

Cambodia’s coffee culture is a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity. Over the past few years, I’ve visited most of the coffee outlets (below) to meet with friends and circles and for business meetings. My regular, favorite orders are espresso, Americano, and cold brew Sumatra coffee.