7 of the best cafés in Siem Reap

Humid, bustling and situated riverside, Siem Reap is made for idling in cafés with a perfectly roasted local brew. For many post-pandemic visitors to Cambodia’s second largest city –which is also known for its foodie destinations and thriving art scene – the café journey begins and ends with beloved tourist stalwarts like The Little Red Fox Espresso, Sister Srey and Footprint.

But recent years have ushered in a wave of newcomers flaunting impressive design credentials, imaginative use of space and a touch of eccentricity. Check out these homegrown spots that include a tranquil garden haven, a local joint with award-winning baristas, an open-air, Japanese-style café and a charming pâtisserie.

Cottage-core community vibes at a garden café

Chocolate Garden is a tranquil spot and pet-friendly haven that lives up to its mantra of containing “Simply Everything” – a phrase that hangs at its entrance. Located on Chocolate Road, a charming street of repurposed wooden houses, weekend markets, photo competitions and a store selling Cambodian crafts (Sahak House), not only does this garden café provide a strong cuppa, but it also contains a library and mini playground for the young ones. (56 Chocolate Road, off Sala Kamreuk Market Road, Wat Damnak Village)

Perfect brews made by award-winning baristas

Soft jazz tootles as you walk into a warm welcome at The Bean Embassy, located just around the corner from Chocolate Garden. The space, decked out beautifully with a sweet-morsel cabinet, bean sacks and smartly wrapped packs of house-roasted beans, is home to some award-winning coffee made by baristas of serious pedigree.

Baristas Seng Piseth and Chheleang Chea both brought home the top prize at the National Barista Championship, albeit in different years. “In 15 minutes, each candidate had to make 12 coffees that would be submitted to the jury,” recounts Seng of the challenging contest – so you can be sure of a quality cup of joe even when the place gets busy. While you’re there, check out its cosy anteroom called Teá x Cactus for other flavours ranging from dirty matcha to horchata and dragonfruit tea. (52 Chocolate Road, off Sala Kamreuk Market, Wat Damnak Village)

A multi-faceted café in Asia’s coolest neighbourhood

Visit Dialogue 26 in Siam Reap’s new epicentre of cool, Street 26, situated in the cosmopolitan Wat Bo Village, voted Asia’s Coolest Neighbourhood in 2022 by Time Out. A classy café and brunch spot which becomes a softly lit speakeasy at night serving delectable fusion dishes and to-die-for cocktail concoctions, it also includes a games room, a co-working space and a rooftop Sky Bar affording impressive vistas across the metropolitan sprawl.

Taiwanese engineer Li-Chin Tu, better known as Allen, one of the original quintet of coffee-fanatics developing the Dialogue group, processes the beans fed to the roaster every day. He makes sure that moisture, content and ambient temperature are perfectly balanced, giving the coffee its distinctive flavour profile. (26 Wat Bo Road cnr Street 26, Wat Bo Village)

The coolest green hideaway in tropical paradise

Further down Street 26, around the corner from a crop of Taiwanese-style bubble-tea joints, there’s the delightful hideaway Snack & Relax – a blissful hangout with lush greenery and a delightfully cool (in every sense) use of water features. Giant, multi-coloured koi carp dart around indoor ponds and soon you’re ensconced in this snug bubble of wonder accompanied by soft indie sonics. If you’re all caffeined out, try a fresh fruit juice instead.

“At our café, we like to make the customers feel they’re in a natural space with lots of plants – some of them quite rare,” says head barista Sorn Seila. “We sell a variety of coffees and other delicious beverages. Fresh fruit drinks are also very good for refreshing you and making you feel healthy. Not only that, our staff are also friendly, always have a smile and provide good service to all our customers.” (86 Street 26, Wat Bo Village)

Junkyard-cool and Japanese paraphernalia at Siem Reap’s quirkiest café

Enjoy a slice of Japan at Kanmu, a roadside kissaten-style café along. Here, mismatched coffee cups hang from the rafters and Japanese calligraphic scrolls hang from every conceivable surface. But an aura of calm permeates in this open-air, bamboo-clad space, where Cambodian owner Soeun Kinal serves up a strong coffee alongside Japanese coffee culture.

His beans are sourced not only from neighbouring countries in Indochina and Papua New Guinea but select producers in South America and Africa. (Sombai Road corner Bamboo Street, Wat Damnak Village)

Siem Reap’s cosiest coffee bean roaster by the river

Tang Mouy Coffee, a café and wholesale fresh-bean provider newly relocated to quieter quarters from further upriver is a pristine, Japanese-styled box with minimal outdoor seating. When my wife and I first moved to Siem Reap, and during the pandemic shortly afterwards, we became fanatics of their speciality roasted beans – so while Cambodia’s tourist industry flatlined for two years, its finest agricultural produce continued as before. The café is named after owner/CEO Leang Heng’s mother.

“I’m so happy about it,” says the ever-upbeat Heng. “Here’s a new location, a new environment and new experience with high-quality construction and decoration, and beautiful furniture. The economy’s not good, but you have to risk spending money when there’s an opportunity. Taste, quality and reputation are the important ingredients in [anyone’s] career.” (7 Makara Street, Wat Damnak Village)

Delectable pastries by a self-starter baker

Siem Reap’s new café is The Muffin Man, run by Dieng Dorm, a Melbourne-inspired brand with a spacious new branch on Wat Bo Road serving up pâtisserie treats and brunches.

The second-oldest of eight children, Dieng had to provide for his family from an early age. A self-starter, he began to experiment as a baker, cooking with healthy, locally sourced ingredients. Dieng spent four years in Thailand studying tourism management and working two other jobs before meeting his mentor Kerry Viney (his “Australian mum”) in 2019, who helped him sell muffins to cafés around Siem Reap.

He soon diversified, baking delectable treats like cakes, eclairs, brownies and cookies. The results are all on display at The Muffin Man, where brunch treats like baguettes and fabulous sandwiches, combined with generous servings, cosy seating and unobtrusive service make this arguably the city’s finest café.

“Our concept is having an eco-friendly and plastic-free place. We made our furniture from recycled wood,” says Dieng. “This is part of our identity, apart from our delicious menu and friendly service. Our muffins’ aroma will transport you back to your childhood, to the delectable fragrance of a fresh home-made sponge cake or cupcake. Our whipped doughs are made with home-made recipes and natural ingredients; we have vegan options as well.” (Street 27 corner Wat Bo Road, Wat Bo Village)

For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Siem Reap, visit the official website.