The best coffee shops and cafes in Phnom Penh

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.

Are you a remote worker in Phnom Penh? Need a good cafe where you can sit with your laptop to work?

Once in a while, I have this ristretto at Feel Good Coffee. For me and many coffee aficionados, the best café has to offer more than just the coffee, but in-store experience, one of which is a fast and stable Internet connection.

Some of the highly-rated coffee shops in Phnom Penh:

1. Brown Coffee - This coffee shop chain has several locations in Phnom Penh, known for its specialty coffee and good food. They have a cozy atmosphere and a friendly staff. 2. Riel Coffee - This coffee shop is located in the trendy BKK1 neighborhood, and it is known for its specialty coffee and great brunch menu. They have a terrace seating option and a relaxing atmosphere. 3. Blue Pumpkin - This café chain is popular in Phnom Penh, and it is known for its homemade ice cream and pastries. They offer a cozy atmosphere, and it’s a good spot for a sweet treat. 4. The Little Red Fox Espresso - This small but popular coffee shop is known for its specialty coffee and cozy atmosphere. They offer a great selection of coffee beans and a variety of sandwiches and pastries. 5. The Shop - This coffee shop is located in a restored colonial-era building, and it is known for its specialty coffee, good food, and unique atmosphere. They have indoor and outdoor seating, and it’s a great spot for a relaxing coffee break.

These coffee shops are known for their specialty coffee and good food, they are also located in different neighborhoods, so you can choose the one that is closer to you or the one with the atmosphere that you prefer.

Phnom Penh’s coffee shops with fast Internet (recommended)

Noir TK

The wifi is ultra fast. The second floor is place to hide yourself from the bustling Phnom Penh. I highly recommend this cafe if you want a place to work. The coffee is good enough for most people. It’s not Starbucks. It’s not Brown. It’s Noir coffee. With this high-speed Internet package, this is how these Phnom Penh’s favorite remote workplaces can accommodate the growing number of freelancers, university students, and business people.

Noir Coffee is a local chain that is known for their strong coffee. They also have a variety of food options, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Brown Coffee and Bakery

The king of the local brand coffee chain, Brown has nearly 20 shops, most of them in Phnom Penh, with new expansion in Siem Reap. I like Brown’s cold brew coffee, which is only available at its roastery shop. The latest Brown Coffee roastery shop is located in Tuol Kork district. It’s one of Brown’s grand store with a small playground in its backyard.

Java Creative Cafe

is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. It has a great atmosphere, with a mix of indoor and outdoor seating. The coffee is excellent, and they also have a wide variety of food options.

Feel Good Cafe is another great option for coffee and food. They are known for their delicious coffee, as well as their healthy food options.

Enso Cafe

is a bit more upscale than the other cafes on this list. They have a great selection of coffee and tea, as well as a variety of pastries and sandwiches. Whether you want to work and relax indoor or outdoor, this is one of the most work-friendly café just a few minute walk from the Royal Palace. They also serve my favorite cold brew coffee. The staff are friendly.

Living Room Cafe

is a great place to relax and people-watch. They have a large outdoor seating area, and they also have a pool table and foosball table.

Starbuck

Does Cambodia have Starbucks? Starbucks Reserve BKK Flagship Store in the place you should check out.

Temple Cafe

It’s another cafe for business meeting. Inside, you’ll be amazed by its vintage design.

Toul Kork is Phnom Penh’s cafe district

An open air shopping area where you can buy Adidas shoes and sip Brown coffee. When you crave for fast food, you can quickly order a slice of pizza or grab some sandwiches at Bread Talk and head straight to the cinema a few walks away. The Lucky Supermarket is also there, where busy residents come buy groceries and vegetables to cook at home. In addition to shopping at the TK Avenue, the Toul Kork residents also have many other choices. The Thai Huot Market is just quick drive from the Toul Kork roundabout. There is also an in Toul Kork district. In 2017, the district also has a new, convenient AEON Maxvalu as well as a new Bayon Supermarket.

Living in Toul Kork, you also have many choices for good coffee shops to hang out as if you’re in Beung Keng Kang 1 area. Until now, there is no Starbucks Coffee shop in Toul Kork neighborhood just yet, but it’s just a matter of time. Local chain Brown Coffee is at TK Avenue. American franchise Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is just around the corner.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

There are at least 2 locations in Phnom Penh I’ve checked in. One thing that set this American coffee chain from Starbuck coffee store is that it offers unlimited Internet. Unlimited bandwidth and access duration. The world’s second-largest chain of coffee retailers after Starbuck’s, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf doesn’t seem to really have many stores, but each of its locations is very strategic. The other one I’ve tasted its Americano is on the ground floor of Phnom Penh Tower, one of the city’s tallest building known for its Eclypse Sky Bar.

Urban Space Playground & Café in Phnom Penh

Work & play? There is a place for that in Phnom Penh. I really like this place as it’s a kid-friendly cafe in the city. It’s called the Urban Space Playground & Café in Phnom Penh. You can do your work over the laptop and coffee and you kids can enjoy their play time in a space designed just for that.

I’ve been there for a couple of time just ahead of its official opening, so there an entry free for the children. A new, welcoming addition to Tuol Kork district is Urban Space Playground & Café. This Phnom Penh’s latest playground plus cafe is the best of both worlds for parents and children.

There are a lot of coffee shops in Tuol Kork district. To name a few: Brown Coffee, Starbucks TK Avenue, Tea Leaf and Coffee Bean, Java Cafe, and Joma. In Tuol Kork alone, there are two Brown Coffee shops. The Brown Coffee Roastery Tuol Kork is larger than the one in TK Avenue and features an outside space for small kids. Urban Space Playground & Café is unique in this regard. A cafe, a workplace, and a playground in one.

I like this place because the playground has a small swimming pool designed for little kids. Next to the pool is a sandbox. On top of the cafe, the first floor is dedicated to kids, too. A climbing wall, a space for Lego, toys, drawing, and puzzles.

Tuol Kouk district is becoming an ideal place to live despite its distance from the riverside and Beung Keng Kang 1. Some great coffee outlets you can think of: Brown TK, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Java Cafe, and Joma Cafe.

It’s also a nice place for freelancers and consultants to get their work done.

In Phnom Penh, more and more cafés compete by offering better in-shop experience, in addition to brewing the best cup of coffee for their customers. According to the Cambodia Investor Club, there are about 200 coffees shops in Phnom Penh as of mid 2017.

Cambodia’s coffee culture is on the rise. With a growing appreciation for quality coffee and a thriving cafe scene, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.