Best Restaurants In Siem Reap: Where To Eat And What To Order
Finding The Best Restaurants In Siem Reap
Are you looking for the best places to eat in Siem Reap?
Honestly, it’s not as expensive or as intimidating as you think.
I’ll be upfront about something most food posts skip. You don’t have to choose between “authentic Khmer” and “safe Western food” every single meal here. Siem Reap does both well, and I spent nine days testing that theory, from street stalls to sit-down restaurants, and I didn’t have one bad meal. Not one.
I know the fear, though. You land in a new country, and suddenly you’re googling “is it safe to eat street food in Cambodia” at 11 pm, panicking that you’ll either get sick or spend your whole trip eating overpriced pad thai because it feels like the safer option. I fell down that exact Google rabbit hole before my trip. Turns out I was worrying about nothing.
Here’s what actually matters if you’re a solo traveller or a couple trying to figure this out: where to go, whether it’ll break the bank, and which restaurants are genuinely worth sitting down for versus which ones are just tourist traps with a nice Instagram wall.
I’ll give you all of that. But first, a small confession about the worst meal I ate in Siem Reap, and why it’s still the one I think about most.
I’d packed fried rice from a stall near my guesthouse, wrapped it up, and brought it with me for a full day at Angkor Wat. Rookie mistake. It sat in the tuk-tuk in 35-degree heat for hours. By the time I actually ate it, it had gone lukewarm, slightly sour, and honestly a bit grim.
I still ate the whole thing, sitting on a stone step somewhere near Ta Prohm, because I was starving and it was what I had. It taught me more about food planning in Cambodia than any guide ever did: eat fresh, eat local, and don’t try to save money by turning lunch into an all-day science experiment.
That’s the short version of what this post is really about.
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Where To Eat In Siem Reap
The best restaurants I found in Siem Reap were completely by accident, which I enjoyed even more.
I’d recommend doing the same.
Wander until something catches your eye. If you want a few solid options, here are some great picks from my experience in Siem Reap.
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I wasn’t expecting much from a place that looked like an abandoned warehouse, but I was wrong.
I walked in and thought it was empty. Then I heard voices upstairs, where a small group of locals were chatting, and they eventually came down with a menu. We barely got any attention, but I actually liked that.
When the food arrived, it was superb. We had the whole restaurant to ourselves, and I’d recommend the kimchi fried rice KHR 20,226 ($5.00/€4.33/£3.69), stir-fried pork KHR 40,452 ($10.00/€8.65/£7.38), and mixed spice noodles KHR 20,226 ($5.00/€4.33/£3.69).
Overall, it was a reasonable price, especially considering I’d seen curries for the same price on Koh Rong Samloem.
Siem Reap Nightly Street Food Market
I’d fly back just for this Laap.
Some of the best food you can find in Siem Reap.
Meat, veg, rice noodles, shakes, and other snacks for a couple of dollars. Seats can be limited, so you might have to wait a little, but it is worth it. I went around 08.00 PM, and I did manage to get seats without waiting.
I paid as little as KHR 6,068 ($1.50/€1.30/£1.11) per dish. That blew my mind. You can eat so well for cheap in Siem Reap.
The Laap was one of my favourite meals.
Sitting along the riverbank with music in the background and Pub Street chatter nearby makes it a lovely time.
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Socheata Restaurant
Located right beside the Old Market, this restaurant is worth it.
Especially after a few drinks or before you hit the street.
I recommend the Khmer braised pork, and you can expect to pay between KHR 20,226 and 40,452 ($5.00 to $10.00/€4.33 to €8.65/£3.69 to £7.38) per dish. Overall, it’s a great option in a central location.
I went around 07.00 PM, and it had few people, which was great.
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There are loads of great food right in the middle of Pub Street.
I ate at Temple Club Sports Bar and can recommend the burger KHR 26,294 ($6.50/€5.62/£4.80) and chips, plus the pasta KHR 22,248 ($5.50/€4.76/£4.06) or pizza.
The food was tasty and well worth grabbing if you are having a few drinks. It’s a great option when you need a break from Khmer food, even though that never happened to me.
I loved eating right on the street and watching people stumble past, drunk, hungry, and looking to party.
It was lots of fun.
Old Market
Yes, you can eat tasty, fresh food in the old market.
This market had some of the best quality produce I can remember in Cambodia. Lots of ladies serve with smiles. Whether you want fresh mango, papaya, tomatoes, or something fried up with rice and meat, you can certainly get it here.
Just eat after you shop so you will have a big appetite.
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Conclusion
Siem Reap does have some great restaurants, and not just Khmer food.
I loved Korean food from the night markets, local produce from Old Market, and even burgers and fries when I needed them. I was never short of eating options when visiting Siem Reap. The food is affordable, tasty, and the portion sizes were always enough, even after a day exploring the temples of Angkor Wat.
If you are visiting Cambodia, read my guide to the best things to do in Phnom Penh.
Any questions? Just drop me a message.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
What Is The Most Famous Food In Siem Reap?
Fish Amok, Lok Lak, and Khmer red curry are some of the most famous dishes in Siem Reap. I ate so many red curries while I was there, and they were my personal favourite. Lok Lak is tasty beef with a pepper sauce, and Fish Amok is a coconut curry that is really good.
What Are Some Must-Eat Places In Siem Reap?
Pub Street and the Siem Reap Night Market are two iconic places to eat in Siem Reap. You’ll find a mix of locals and travellers at the night market, but Pub Street is mostly geared towards travellers. If you want more authentic local cuisine, I’d go for the night market.
How To Avoid Food Poisoning In Cambodia?
Always wash your hands, eat fresh food, make sure it’s cooked properly, and only drink sealed bottled water. Avoid anything that smells off. Go vegetarian for a few days to start, which worked well for me, then ease yourself into meat and drinks, which are usually higher risk.
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