Phnom Penh cafe

Phnom Penh, One Cup at a Time

Phnom Penh’s café scene isn’t just about coffee—it’s about pauses.

These photos capture the quiet moments between the city’s noise: a barista rinsing a portafilter, sunlight slipping through wooden shutters, a lone cup resting on a small metal table while traffic hums outside. In a city that rarely slows down, cafés have become informal sanctuaries—places to think, to work, to meet, or simply to watch life pass.

What stands out in Phnom Penh’s cafés is their variety. Minimalist espresso bars sit next to old shophouses turned into cozy hideouts. Some spaces feel almost temporary, others deeply rooted in the neighborhood. Yet all share the same rhythm: coffee brewed carefully, conversations unfolding naturally, time stretching just a little.

These images aren’t meant to document trends or rank the “best” spots. Instead, they reflect how cafés have woven themselves into daily life in Phnom Penh—quiet witnesses to mornings, afternoons, and unplanned conversations.

Sometimes, understanding a city starts not with landmarks, but with where people sit down and stay awhile.

Best Places for Street Food

Russian Market (Toul Tom Pong) – Wide variety and bustling day/night.

Central Market (Phsar Thmei) – Great for snacks, sweets, and drinks. Night Market near Riverside – Designed for tourists but still has local favorites.

Wat Phnom area – Great for local noodles, grilled meat, and iced coffee.

Olympic Market & Orussey Market – For more authentic, less touristy finds.

Must-Try Street Foods

Num Pang (Cambodian baguette sandwich) – Like a cousin to the Vietnamese banh mi, filled with pâté, pork, pickled vegetables, and chili sauce. Found near schools, markets, and parks like Wat Botum.

Bai Sach Chrouk (grilled pork with rice) – Simple, smoky, and usually served with pickles and a small bowl of soup. Popular morning dish near Olympic Market and Russian Market (Toul Tom Pong).

Lort Cha (stir-fried short noodles) – Fried with beef, egg, and bean sprouts, served with chili sauce and sometimes topped with a fried egg. Street carts around Central Market and Monivong Blvd.

Nom Krok (grilled coconut-rice cakes) – Crisp on the outside, soft inside, with a sweet-salty coconut flavor. Evening stalls near Riverside or Independence Monument.

Fried insects (tarantulas, crickets, and silkworms) – A crunchy, protein-rich snack for the brave and curious. Seen at tourist spots like Riverside or Pub Street in Siem Reap (but also in Phnom Penh’s Orussey Market).

Fresh spring rolls (Nime Chao) – Soft rice paper rolls filled with vegetables, pork, or shrimp, and dipped in peanut sauce. Vendors often roam riverside parks or university campuses.

Ang dtray-meuk (grilled squid on a stick) – Served with green mango and chili sauce. Best at night markets or riverside.