Sommelier's guide to Cambodia's Restaurants, Wine Bars and Cocktail Bars with Local Food Wine Pairings.
Phnom Penh.
Cambodia is a destination you will never forget. Khmer (Pronounced Ke-Mai) people and many expats living and making a difference to the wine and cocktail scene from the fine restaurants to the wine bars to the French Hospitality and Culinary schools.
Photo by Mark
Last updated 06 Oct 2026
Also see our article on Siem Reap.
​Multi cultural food scene in Phnom Penh that makes your mouth water. We feature both restaurants and wine bar here as most venues create a great experience pairing food and wine at its best.
Dine with Wines.
Dining in Cambodia is shared together with friends and family as a highly communal tradition. Khmer cuisine of rice, soups, curries relies heavily on a staple of rice and fresh fishes from the River Mekong. French cuisine is the direct legacy of the French colonial rule for nearly a century. Today, Cambodia draws inspiration from many cuisines, here's some of our favourites places.
Sora Rosewood.
Sora, Rosewood Phnom Penh Listed as the World Best 50 Bars in 2022, Sora presents a 5 star experience perched over the city skyline of Phnom Penh. Rosewood welcomes one of the best mixologists every month from all the world so be on the lookout for guest appearances. Extensive Wine list on the menu.
​
Vattanac Capital Mall, 66 Level 37
​
https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/phnom-penh/dining/sora
Photo from Facebook/RosewoodPhnomPenh
Friends the Restaurant.
Friends the Restaurant. Part of the Friends International, a social entreprise founded in 1994. This is a place where young Cambodian students get the real life skills to hospitality from cooking, serving, mise en place, making drinks, interacting with guests, presenting wines, guided by expert mentors even Michelin starred chefs. Your support funds other vocational training and helps them succeed in life.
​
#215 Street 13, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
​​
https://www.facebook.com/FriendstheRestaurantKH
Photo from FB
Java Creative Cafe.
Java Creative Café. A café since 2000, an art space the whole time. La Sros and Dana run this space where your order funds the exhibitions, performances and a youth award that keeps Cambodian creativity on stage. A cup of coffee, a glass of wine - with so much to give back.
​​
Street 337, Phnom Penh
​​​
Photo from FB/javacreativecafe
Pepe's Bistro.
Pepe's Bistro. Opened by Chef Owner Aude Moulade and helmed by Chef Heng featuring French Classic and Contemporary cuisines paired with a curated International wine list. Friendly and charming.
​​
223, Street 13, Sangkat Chey Chom Neas Phnom Penh
​​
Photo from Facebook/pepebistro.pp
Kravanh.
Kravanh | Classic Cambodian Cuisine. Located in a colonial house, founder Toan Ek Sophie sources the best ingredients sustainably and works directly with small farmers and fisherman for her menu with a curated wine list.
​
Phnom, 74 Oknha Ket St. (174)
​​​
Photo from Website.
Le Manolis.
Le Manolis. Set in a beautifully restored colonial building near Wat Phnom, a French restaurant that offers crusty artisan bread and soft French cheeses to house-cured meats and seasonal and classic French dishes. You will be invited to the cellar to select​​ your bottle, fully guided by the sommelier.
​
No 6, Str. 13 Preah Ang Eng St. (13), Phnom Penh
​​
Photo from Facebook/lemanolis.pp
Bouchon Wine Bar.
Le Manolis | A French restaurant that curates fine wines, food, cigars, cocktails. Dine at this restaurant, start with a cocktail and try some of the wines. Have a good chat with the Sommelier and the rest of his team.
​
No 6, Str. 13 Preah Ang Eng St. (13)
​​
https://www.facebook.com/lemanolis.pp
Photo from Facebook
Bouchon Wine Bar. Set downtown in a colonial house, Bouchon features live music and French bistro cuisine paired with a big selection of wine list by glass and bottles to be enjoyed. Signature Steak paired with Chateau Latour 2021 or an Argentinian Malbec or Australian Shiraz.
​
Phnom, 82 Oknha Ket St. (174)
​​
www.facebook.com/bouchonwinebar
Photo from Facebook
Shindi Georgian.
Shindi Georgian Cuisine Phnom Penh. Savor the bold flavors of classics like Khachapuri, Khinkali, and Shkmeruli, expertly prepared using traditional recipes passed down through generations to showcase the vibrant culinary tapestry of Georgia.
​
11B, Street 29, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
​​
www.instagram.com/shindigeorgiancuisine
Photo from Instagram.
Pomelo Bar.
Pomelo Bar. Tucked in a quiet alley of Street 184, this boutique bar is set in a French-Colonial house with chill vibes and lush courtyard charms. Serving crafted cocktails, fine wines, small snack plates and its signature pizza. Say hi to Andrew and his awesome team.
​
21AB Street 184, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
​​
https://www.facebook.com/pomelobarPP
Photo from Facebook
Pepe Steakhouse.
Pepe Steakhouse. A steakhouse and BBQ place. Not related to Pepe's Bistro but the dry aging is the story, aging from 15 days to more than 120 days of premium meats paired with a good handpicked collection of wines. Sasha and his friendly team makes you feel at home.
147 Street 51, Phnom Penh
https://pepeartisanfood.com
Photo from FB/pepesteakhousephnompenh​​
Pisa Old Market.
Pisa Old Market. Pi Sa means to eat in Khmer when addressing parents and honoured guests. Chef Sothea Seng helms this restaurant, being well known for his Lum Orng farm-to-table restaurant in Siem Reap. Drawing on fresh local ingredients and haute cuisine techniques, he reimagine Cambodian dishes; like the Amok Tortellini, Sea Bass Ceviche.
​
Okgna Ing Bun Hoaw, Street 108, Phnom Penh
https://www.mahobgroup.com/pisa/
Photo from FB​​
Cambodian food from the classics to the contemporary lends itself from Thai and Vietnam even French. Here's some of the popular dishes that we had some fun pairing wine with.
Local Cuisine.
Cambodian Beef Lok Lak.
Cambodian Beef Lok Lak | Originating from Vietnam, this recipe uses the famous Kampot pepper in this recipe. Stir fried beef fillet marinated with sauce, Kampot pepper dipped in a lime, salt, pepper sauce. Served with Jasmine rice or wrapped with lettuce leaves. ​Photo from Marionskitchen.com
2018 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River Australia
Jean Pierre, Chef
​
Valenciso Rioja Reserva 2018, Spain
JJ, Sommelier​
Fish Amok Curry.
Fish Amok | It's believed that Fish Amok dates back to the Khmer Empire as one of the royal dishes. This classic Cambodian dish made with fresh fish, coconut milk, noni leaf and fragrant spices is steamed to perfection in banana leaves for a rich and flavorful experience. ​Photo from amokrestaurant.com.
​​​
2021 Avarinho, Vinho Verde, Portugal
Andrew, Chef
​​
2020 XXVI Amphora Blanco, Alentejo, Portugal
JJ, Sommelier
Central Market.
Fish Amok | It's believed that Fish Amok dates back to the Khmer Empire as one of the royal dishes. This classic Cambodian dish made with fresh fish, coconut milk, noni leaf and fragrant spices is steamed to perfection in banana leaves for a rich and flavorful experience.
​Photo from SAM sokkolinmony​
Khmer art compasses the rich visual and culture of Cambodia from the Hindu-Buddhism civilisation of the Khmer Empire from 9th - 15th century from stone sculpting to painting to leather artistry for puppet shows. Today in Cambodia, there are art galleries exploring Khmer history and culture over conversation and wines.
Art.
Artist Din.
DIN Teang Borin. (born Kampot Province, 1980) is a famous Cambodian Artist. Known as Din and his modern abstract art can be found in many luxury hotels and restaurants around the world. He has a personal art galley in St 19 Phnom Penh, worth a visit.
​​​
126 Preah Ang Yukanthor Street (19), Phnom Penh
​
https://www.facebook.com/dinartcambodia/
Photo from FB
​
Jean Pierre, Chef
​
Valenciso Rioja Reserva 2018, Spain
JJ, Sommelier​
Just under 3 hours drive to this amazing town, home of the famous Kampot Pepper.
Kampot.
Tertúlia Restaurant Kampot.
Tertulia Restaurant Kampot | A Portuguese restaurant located in Kampot, opened by a couple who's passionate about food and wine. Serving honest Portuguese cuisine paired with Portuguese wines.
Kampong Kreung Village
https://www.facebook.com/kampottertulia
​Photo from Facebook
La Plantation Kampot Pepper Farm.
La Plantation Kamport Pepper Farm Tour | Used by renowned chefs all around the world, the Kampot pepper is extra fragrant, fruity and spicy at the same time. La Plantation offers free guide tours. Book a tour from your hotel in Kampot that combines transports. Tip - Try the Kampot Pepper ice cream.
​
Bosjheng village, Kampot
​​
https://laplantation.com/en/about-us/visit-our-farm/
Photo from Website
Rikitikitavi Hotel and Restaurant.
Rikitikitavi Hotel and Restaurant | Originally constructed in the 1920s, it transformed into a Khmer Rouge theatre. It became a military barracks in 1970's when the Vietnamese forces moved in as many military artefacts were discovered during their renovations. Today it features a gym, hotel and restaurant and bar. Say hello to Paulo and his friendly team and sommelier.
​​
Riverside Road (Corner of Street 735, and Street 728)
​​​
https://rikitikitavi-kampot.com/
Photo from facebook/RikitikitaviKampot
After the wines, the rld Best 50 Bars to homegrown bars using local ingredients and food waste. Here are some of must-visits.
After the Wine.
Kravat.
Kravat. Owner Bartender Nel runs this cocktail bar. The cocktails are delicious, drawing from Cambodian flavours and ingredients. Nel and her team of talented bartenders have recommendations for everything from cocktails to restaurants making a night to remember.
St. 03, Phnom Penh.
Photo from IG
Just 1 hour of flight or 6 hours drive from Phnom Peng to this amazing town, home of the UNESCO famous Angkor Wat Temples.
Siem Reap.
.jpg)
Traveller's Tip The drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap would take about 5-6 hours. Siem Reap City is located about 1 hours from the new SAI Siem Reap airport which will cost another 60usd. It would be worthwhile just hiring a private driver or taking the coach to reach Siem Reap and stopping midway for lunch to enjoy the country side drive.
​
Here's some of our drivers that we hire.
​​​​
Pou Mao Tours
+855 93 506 505 ​​Whatsapp Contact
​​
Sum Pisey Private Driver
+855 77 733 199​​ Whatsapp Contact
Featured/.
JJ, Sydney Australia. I am a Sommelier based in Sydney and an International Business First Class Cabin Crew. I have been teaching hospitality in Cambodia during my holidays and currently obsessed with Italian, Portuguese and Georgian Wines. Connect with me @travel.somm.
​
​Dennis, Cambodia, originally from Sydney and currently resides in Phnom Penh, loves food and wines.​
Reviews published on this platform are conducted independently and are solely based on the subjective opinions and experiences of the curators. Unless stated, we do not accept any form of sponsorship, payment, or compensation from individuals, companies, or entities in exchange.