11 Best Restaurants in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cuisine Wat Damnak offers a unique journey for the taste buds with its five- or six-course set menus (changing every fortnight). Beyond the sophisticated indoor sala and romantic garden, the concept here is Cambodian food remodeled into creative modern dishes by French chef Joannes Riviere, whose knowledge of the area allows him to source rare ingredients such as shellfish unique to the Mekong and Tonle Sap lake, fresh lotus seeds, wild lily stems, and edible flowers.

If you're interested in learning more about Riviere's culinary philosophy and techniques, you can buy a copy of his cookbook here.

There's a sophisticated yet casual vibe at this airy, white and brick restaurant that, along with its sister branch in Phnom Penh, serves probably the best Greek food in the country. You'll find all the classics here, including tzatziki, hummus, gyros, calamari, and moussaka; it's all just great.

The name translates as "food," and if you're after a Cambodian menu that appeals to the Western palate but is not without an adventurous element, this is an excellent choice. Try deep-fried frogs' legs coated with crispy rice flakes, or wok-fried local beef with tree red ants served with rice. If that's too much of a challenge, there's the duo amok soufflé of lemongrass and coconut paste with chicken and river fish, or the fun option of cooking fish or meat exactly to your liking on hot stones.

This top-notch open-air garden restaurant, out-of-the-way from the noisier part of the city, reflects the forward-thinking new generation of postdisaster Cambodia, represented here by the visionary young owner, Siv Pola. Everything is prepared with sensitivity, creativity, and great skill: try the Tonle Sap Fish, a carpaccio of snakehead fish fillet, marinated in fresh picked herbs, with a tempura poached egg.

Even superstar chef Gordon Ramsay swears by this Siem Reap institution, whose new location, set in a beautiful and breezy wooden sala, doesn't betray owner Khetana's colorful enthusiasm for the traditional Khmer cuisine she learned from her mother and grandmother. You can order à la carte or opt for one of the sampler platters ($15), which offer house signature specialties like crispy shrimp cakes with black-pepper sauce or pomelo salad with chicken.

Ideal for a romantic garden dinner, Abacus offers an eclectic choice of French-international fusion cuisine. The restaurant also has a pleasant bar that welcomes guests for an aperitif or an after-dinner digestif.

Hidden away down a small alleyway, this small, welcoming trattoria turns out delicious thin-crust pizza and calzone from a wood-fire oven, as well as wonderful homemade pasta, all using locally-sourced ingredients. The filling portions and menu of Italian wines makes this spot especially appealing after a long day's sightseeing.

This pleasant Japanese-style café by the river serves good snacks, small plates, desserts, and drinks. Try a cashew-nut shake—you'll probably want a second. You can also try the sauna upstairs.

A selection of hearty sausages and schnitzel dishes, typically accompanied by sauerkraut, are served at this homey German-Swiss restaurant in an old villa, which has been serving great food since 1998.

Tucked away along Siem Reap's quiet Kandal Village shopping street, this charming cafe run by an Australian couple provides more than just espresso: there's a great menu of healthy breakfast and lunches (they're closed in the evening) such as the B.L.A.T bagel (a BLT with avocado) or the Tri Grain Bowl, a combination of red rice, chia seeds, and couscous, topped with kale and beetroot hummus.

Possibly the most happening restaurant in Kandal Village, this French-owned and retro-themed bar and international bistro is the go-to place for French cuisine and Khmer staple dishes. Their good selection of wines and cocktails also attracts Siem Reap's drinking elite, especially on Funky Friday, their club night with live DJs. Don't miss the art gallery on the first floor.