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Best Food in Phnom Penh (2026)
Start with a bowl of num banh chok, Khmer rice noodles in a fish-based curry, best enjoyed at a morning market stall. For lunch, try lok lak, stir-fried beef with a tangy lime-p… 🍜 Must-Try Dishes
Start with a bowl of num banh chok, Khmer rice noodles in a fish-based curry, best enjoyed at a morning market stall. For lunch, try lok lak, stir-fried beef with a tangy lime-pepper dip, available at restaurants like Malis on Street 136. Don't miss the iconic fish amok, a steamed coconut curry, which you'll find at Romdeng on Street 174.
🍢 Street Food Hotspots
Head to the riverside area near Sisowath Quay for grilled skewers and fried insects from evening carts. The bustling Central Market (Phsar Thmei) on Street 126 offers cheap fried noodles and fresh spring rolls from 7 AM to 5 PM. For a late-night snack, visit the night market on Street 106, where grilled corn and sugarcane juice cost under $1.
🍽️ Top Casual Restaurants
Friends the Restaurant on Street 13 serves excellent Khmer dishes in a cozy setting, with mains averaging $5-$8. For authentic Cambodian street food in a sit-down format, try Khmer Surin on Street 57, open 11 AM to 10 PM. Another favorite is The Lost Room on Street 240, offering modern takes on classics like beef loc lac for around $6.
🍲 Fine Dining Experiences
For a high-end meal, book a table at Malis on Street 136, where the amok and grilled prawns shine, with dinner costing $20-$40 per person. Cuisine Wat Damnak on Street 57 offers a tasting menu ($35) featuring seasonal local ingredients. Both restaurants require reservations, especially on weekends.
🌍 International Food Scene
Phnom Penh has a vibrant international food scene, with excellent Vietnamese pho at Pho Viet on Street 278 for $3. For Japanese ramen, try Ramen Yume on Street 240, open 11 AM to 9 PM. The city also has great Indian food at Namaste India on Street 51, where a thali costs around $7.
💰 Budget Eating Tips
Street food meals cost as little as $1-$2, with dishes like fried rice or noodle soup from carts near the Royal Palace. Local eateries (quan) serve set lunches for $2-$3, often including soup and a drink. Avoid tourist-heavy areas for better prices; head to the Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung) on Street 440 for cheap eats.
🍹 Best Drinks and Desserts
Cool down with a fresh sugarcane juice from a street vendor for $0.50, or try a coconut shake at a cafe like Lot 369 on Street 19. For dessert, sample sticky rice with mango at the Central Market, or enjoy a scoop of local coconut ice cream at The Ice Cream Shop on Street 240 for $2.
🚗 Getting Around for Food
Use tuk-tuks for short hops between food spots; negotiate a fare of $2-$3 for trips within the city center. For a food tour, consider hiring a driver for the day ($20-$30) to visit markets and neighborhoods like Boeung Keng Kang. Walking is best for exploring street food along the riverside, but watch for traffic.
honestly this guide nails it but i gotta say the best num banh chok i've had is from the lady with the cart on street 108 near wat phnom, she's there every morning til about 10am and her curry is way more coconutty than the market stalls. also if you're doing the riverside street food thing, skip the grilled skewers and go straight for the fried spring rolls at the cart closest to the night market entrance, they're like 50 cents and still crispy even when they've been sitting out. for a cheap lunch that's not on here, try the beef loc lac at the little family spot on street 130 near the central market, it's $2.50 and comes with rice and a fried egg, way better than what you get at the tourist restaurants
Appreciate the thorough guide, I've been eating my way through Phnom Penh for about a year now and this covers most of the essentials. One thing worth adding is the Sunday morning food market at the Tuol Sleng genocide museum parking lot, it runs from 6 AM to around 11 AM and has maybe 30 stalls with everything from grilled freshwater prawns to Khmer desserts you won't find elsewhere. The grilled banana wrapped in sticky rice there is about 50 cents and way better than what you get from the carts by the river. For the Russian Market tip, I'd suggest going on a weekday afternoon when it's less crowded, the vendors are more relaxed and will usually toss in an extra spring roll or two with your order.
the guide's got the basics but i'd add that the best fish amok isnt at romdeng imo, it's at a tiny spot called sam's on street 278 near the russian market. they use fresh coconut cream and serve it in a real banana leaf bowl, costs like $4 for a portion that's easily enough for two. also for drinks, definitely try the iced soy milk from the lady on the corner of streets 51 and 136, it's 25 cents and comes with a little bag of sweet jelly bits mixed in. the central market tip is solid but go early around 7am when the fried noodle guy sets up, his portion sizes are double what they are by noon.
3 Days in Phnom Penh: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day in the central Riverside area, where most major sights are within walking distance. Plan to visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in the morning, then exp… 🗺️ Day 1 Overview
Start your first day in the central Riverside area, where most major sights are within walking distance. Plan to visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in the morning, then explore the National Museum of Cambodia in the afternoon. End your day with a sunset stroll along Sisowath Quay.
🏛️ Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
The Royal Palace opens daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the Silver Pagoda located on the same grounds. Admission is 40,000 riel (about $10) and includes an audio guide. Allow at least two hours to see the throne hall, the Emerald Buddha, and the intricate murals.
🏺 National Museum of Cambodia
Located just north of the Royal Palace, the museum houses the world's finest collection of Khmer sculpture. It is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, with an entry fee of $10. Spend about 90 minutes here before heading to a nearby café for lunch.
🍜 Lunch & Riverside Relaxation
For lunch, try Friends the Restaurant (Street 13, near the National Museum), which supports local youth training. A meal costs around $8-$12. Afterward, walk along the Tonle Sap River or relax at the nearby Wat Phnom park.
🌆 Day 2: Tuol Sleng & Killing Fields
Day two focuses on Cambodia's tragic history. Take a tuk-tuk (about $8-$10 round trip) from central Phnom Penh to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, entry $5. Then continue to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, 15 km south, open 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, entry $6. Allow at least three hours for both sites.
🍲 Local Dinner in BKK1
After a heavy day, head to the Boeung Keng Kang 1 (BKK1) neighborhood for dinner. Try Malis Restaurant (Street 57) for upscale Cambodian cuisine, with mains around $15-$25. Alternatively, the street food stalls along Street 308 offer cheap and tasty lok lak or amok.
🛍️ Day 3: Markets & Departure
On your last day, visit the Central Market (Phsar Thmei), a striking Art Deco building open 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Then head to the Russian Market (Tuol Tom Poung) for souvenirs and antiques, open 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Both are best visited in the morning to avoid heat and crowds.
🚐 Getting Around Phnom Penh
Tuk-tuks are the most common transport; short rides within central districts cost $2-$4, while longer trips to the Killing Fields run $15-$20 round trip. For airport transfers, use a ride-hailing app like Grab or PassApp for a fixed price of about $8-$12. Traffic can be heavy during peak hours, so plan extra time.
solid plan, covers the main spots without overloading it. one thing I'd tweak is day 1 lunch - Friends is fine but if you want something more lowkey, walk over to Street 240 and grab a seat at the little khmer noodle shop called Sam's. it's a hole in the wall, no sign in english, but the kuy teav there is like $1.50 and they make the broth fresh every morning. way more authentic than the tourist spots.
for day 2, after the killing fields you'll prob want a drink. instead of heading straight back to bkk1, tell your tuk tuk driver to stop at a place called The Riverhouse on the way back. it's on the riverside near the night market, they do a good $2 draft beer and the balcony overlooks the tonle sap. nice spot to just sit and process everything before dinner.
one thing the guide missed - the royal palace audio guide is kinda dry. if you can, grab a guide at the entrance for like $5 extra, they tell way better stories and point out details you'd miss on your own. also, the silver pagoda floor is actual silver tiles, but they're covered in carpet now to protect them, so don't expect to see them gleaming.
honestly this is a solid plan, you've got the big stuff covered. one thing i'd swap is day 3 markets - Central Market is cool for the building but the Russian Market has way better food stalls and less touristy stuff. i always grab a bowl of num banh chok from the lady near the back corner, it's like $1.50 and way better than anything in the restaurants.
for day 1, if you've got energy after the museum, walk five minutes to Wat Phnom. it's small but the hill gives you a nice view over the river, and there's usually a few monkeys hanging around. entry is like $1 and it's a chill break from the crowds.
one thing the guide missed - download PassApp before you come. tuk tuks on the street will quote you double, but PassApp gives you a fixed price. also grab a sim card at the airport, Smart has a 7-day data plan for like $3, makes everything easier.
really solid itinerary, covers all the essentials. one thing I'd add is to hit the Central Market early, like 7am when it opens. the crowds are way thinner and the vendors are still setting up so you can haggle a bit better on souvenirs. also the jewelry section in the dome is less chaotic then.
for day 2, after the Killing Fields you'll prob be emotionally drained. I always tell people to grab a fresh coconut at the little stalls right outside the exit before your tuk tuk comes back. it's like $1 and it's weirdly grounding after that place.
one small thing about Friends the Restaurant - it's great but it can get packed around noon. if you're flexible, I'd suggest walking a couple blocks north to a place called Khema Pasteur. it's a French-Cambodian bakery with amazing croissants and a quiet courtyard. prices are similar and the coffee is better imo.