Where to Eat Breakfast in Phnom Penh

No matter how you like to start your day, Phnom Penh has a breakfast option for everyone. From typical Cambodian fare to English fry ups, French pastries to smoothie bowls, here are the very best cafes and restaurants for breakfast in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh is a city that wakes up early. Breakfast is part of the daily routine for most locals, a good many of whom eat at markets, street food stalls and small restaurants on their way to work or school.

If you’re a tourist visiting Phnom Penh, I encourage you to get out of bed and explore the city in the early hours. It’s the most magical time of day.

If your hotel doesn’t provide breakfast or you’re staying in an Airbnb, you’ll find lots of places open early where you can start your day with either a hearty meal or a light snack.

Would you like a coffee with that? Here are my favourite cafes and coffee shops in Phnom Penh.

This post brings together 20 of my favourite breakfast and brunch joints in Phnom Penh. Researched while I was living in Cambodia and updated on my return visits, I’ve tried to include options for every type of traveller – including local breakfasts, vegan breakfasts, and buffet breakfasts.

Just remember to save some room for dinner!

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What is a typical Cambodian breakfast?

Whenever I visit a new place, I’m always curious to know how people start their day. One of the best techniques for getting a feel for a foreign city is to mirror the local routine.

The breakfast restaurants and cafes on this list are mostly (but not exclusively) geared towards expats and tourists. So I wanted to kick things off with a couple of local options.

There are a few typical Cambodian breakfast dishes you’ll see being served up at street stalls all over Phnom Penh:

• Kuy teav – vermicelli noodle soup
• Bobor – rice porridge (similar to congee)
• Nom banh chok – rice noodles served with an aromatic fish gravy
• Bai sach chrouk – pork and rice
• Lok lak – marinated beef served with white rice and a fried egg (my favourite!)
• Café toek doh koh toek gok – strong coffee served over ice with lots of sweet milk

You can find street sellers and small restaurants cooking up breakfast on every street corner in Phnom Penh – literally. Most are open by 5am and serve breakfast until about 8 or 9, when they might close or change their menu to lunch fare.

Eating breakfast on the street is incredibly affordable, with most dishes costing the equivalent of 75 cents.

If you want to try a street food breakfast but you’re unsure where to go, my best tip is to ask a local. Ask your tuk tuk driver or hotel receptionist where they like to eat. Chances are, they’ll know the very best places nearby your accommodation.

It’s always a safe bet to head for the nearest green market. The Russian Market and Olympic Market in particular have a huge array of fresh food stalls cooking up Khmer breakfast dishes. If you want a truly local breakfast experience, this is it!

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Breakfast in Phnom Penh: Map

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Best Cambodian breakfasts in Phnom Penh

Malis

• #136 Street 41 (BKK 1)
• Open daily from 7am

Malis is my favourite restaurant in Phnom Penh for ‘elevated’ Khmer cuisine. The chef here takes recipes that are street food favourites through and through, and prepares them using the best ingredients available, sometimes with a modern twist.

It gets busy at breakfast time, especially on weekends, so I recommend arriving early to snag a table near the pond. There are a couple of different menu sets to choose from. Each one comes with a few sides plus coffee and green tea.

I highly recommend going for one of the Cambodian dishes, such as lort char sach kor (wok-fried short noodles with beef – pictured). Prices are excellent ($2.50–$4 for most meals).

Malis has a really cool story behind it – the chef here is on a mission to revive recipes that were almost lost to history during the Khmer Rouge and to safeguard the nation’s food heritage for future generations. There is a second Malis in Siem Reap.

Eleven One Kitchen

• Street 460 (Tuol Tompoung) & Street 334 (BKK 1)
• Open daily from 7am

When I lived in Phnom Penh, Eleven One Kitchen was my go-to restaurant for lunch and dinner. At breakfast time, the kitchen offers a pared-back menu of Khmer dishes, all made using fresh, locally sourced produce.

Light breakfasts include fresh fruit salad or mango sticky rice. There’s also stir-fried noodles, fried rice, lort char soup and beef lok lak to tempt you. The meal pictured is the lok lak burger – you’ll have to come back for lunch to try that! – but the lok lak is the same recipe. It’s my favourite rendition of the dish in all of Phnom Penh.

They also do a simple omelette and an English breakfast.

Both branches have idyllic outdoor seating in a leafy courtyard. The menu differs slightly between restaurants, so check online first. Another thing to love about Eleven One – they were one of the first eateries in the city to go plastic-free.

Lot 369

• Street 155 (Tuol Tompoung)
• Open daily from 8am

As well as serving some of Phnom Penh’s best coffee, Lot 369 offers an excellent all-day breakfast. The flat whites here are Melbourne-style and much of the menu is similarly Australian-influenced (smashed avo, bacon and egg roll). But it’s their Khmer breakfasts that I like best.

The Cambodian Breakfast Bowl (pictured) is absolutely delicious. It comes with grilled pork, poached egg, pickled veggies, purple cabbage and pineapple salad. The Chicken Bobor with shitake mushrooms is also recommended.

There are lots of vegan, veg, gluten-free and Paleo-friendly options on the menu, too.

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Best Western breakfasts in Phnom Penh

Farm to Table

• #16 Street 360 (BKK 1)
• Open daily from 8am

My new favourite breakfast in Phnom Penh is the Chicken Coconut Waffles at Farm to Table (pictured). Gluten-free waffles (which could be a little fluffier, if I’m being picky) topped with coconut crumbed chicken, pickled cucumber and yogurt – yum.

Like the lunch and dinner menu, breakfast offerings emphasise local produce and organic ingredients, and are underpinned by the restaurant’s zero food-waste policy. There’s also a Farmhouse Breakfast, smoothie bowls, and huevos rancheros.

Breakfast is served in the outdoor courtyard until 3pm.

Enso Cafe

• #50B Street 240 (BKK 1)
• Open daily from 7am

Enso is a popular spot for coffee and brunch on Phnom Penh’s trendy Street 240. The all-day breakfast has a lot of variety and highlights a cross-section of international cuisines.

Choose from quinoa porridge, Tunisian baked eggs, leek and Gruyere tart with smoked salmon, or American pancakes with crispy bacon, maple syrup and a fried egg. Simpler egg dishes are served on artisan sourdough bread, which is baked in-house.

I opted for one of the ‘lighter’ options last time I visited – the Ciambella Alla Nutella – AKA Italian Nutella doughnut sandwich.

Connecting Hands Training Cafe

• #42 Street 178 (Riverside)
• Open daily from 6am

Open early and walking distance from Sisowath Quay, Connecting Hands is a convenient breakfast option in the heart of Phnom Penh’s Riverside district.

The all-day breakfast menu only has 6 options, but it covers all bases – muesli, poached eggs, a breakfast burrito, sweet bruschetta with apple and ice cream, or smashed avo on ciabatta (my pick).

The cafe is a social enterprise managed by a human trafficking NGO, so you know you’re supporting a great cause by dining here. If you need somewhere pleasant to park for a few hours while you do some travel planning or work on your laptop, this is a great choice.

The Big Easy

• #4 Street 172 (Riverside)
• Open daily from 7am

It’s rumoured that The Big Easy, a popular hostel with a downstairs restaurant/bar, does the best English breakfast in Phnom Penh. I tried it – and I must say, it was pretty good (even if I was eating at 5pm).

I especially like the sausage, which tastes and looks homemade (a very welcome alternative to the ‘plastic’ sausages you sometimes get at buffets). The extra-crunchy hash browns are also delicious. Just avoid the iced coffee – it’s instant, and it’s awful.

The atmosphere here is 100% Riverside – big screen TVs blaring football games, and seating that opens directly onto one of the busiest backpacker streets. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a salty, fatty breakfast, it will satiate your cravings (especially if you’re feeling a bit seedy).

Feel Good Cafe & Coffee Roasters

• 11B Street 29 (BKK 1) & #79 Street 136 (Riverside)
• Open daily from 7.30am

Drinking a coffee at Feel Good is almost a must-do in Phnom Penh. Their house-roasted, fairly traded coffee beans are by far the best in the city.

They also do a simple cafe-style breakfast that’s a more-than-adequate way to welcome the day. Highlights include bagels served with cream cheese and house-made jam, French toast, buttermilk pancakes, and eggs benedict either on a bagel or potato cake (GF).

Or, you could just go straight to the cake cabinet.

La Chronique

• Street 135 (cnr Street 446) (Tuol Tompoung)
• Open daily from 6.30am

Again, this cafe is primarily known for its coffee, but there are some solid breakfast options as well. If you’re staying in Tuol Tompoung (Russian Market), La Chronique opens earlier than most cafes – convenient if you have a tour to join or a bus to catch (takeaways are also available).

Western breakfasts include bagels, scrambled eggs, pancakes, and eggs benedict.

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Veg, vegan & healthy breakfasts in Phnom Penh

Vibe

• #26A Street 446 (Tuol Tompoung)
• Open daily from 7.30am

One of the newest openings in Phnom Penh’s crop of health-conscious eateries, Vibe is a 100% plant-based, vegan cafe. It’s ultra trendy, but welcoming at the same time. Staff are really friendly and don’t mind you spreading out on the bench seats or lounging on the rooftop terrace.

Everything except the bread and Kombucha is made in-house. The raw Amazonian Acai Bowl made this cafe famous, but I prefer the Native Bowl with local mango, passion fruit, mint and granola.

Eggless omelettes, buckwheat flatbread and homemade peanut butter also feature. My favourite is the ‘Positive Pancakes’ (pictured) with raspberries, mango compote and crunchy coconut flakes.

ARTillery Arts Cafe

• Laneway 240 (between Streets 240 & 244) (BKK 1)
• Open daily from 7.30am

ARTillery, by contrast, is one of the longest-running Phnom Penh breakfast spots in the health food space (the owner of Vibe actually used to run ARTillery). They’ve had plenty of time to perfect their menu of organic, nutrient-dense foods, smoothies and raw desserts.

I’ve eaten here many, many times, and I’m never disappointed. Yes, there’s a health angle to the food, but more than that, everything packs a genuine flavour punch. This cafe is really confident in its convictions and isn’t afraid of thinking outside the box.

Brunch brings some interesting flavour combinations, including Beetroot Hummus (pictured), served on wholegrain toast with shredded cabbage, radish and carrot marmalade. The Avocado Toast comes with dukkah and a black olive crumb, and the pancakes are served with almonds, raisins and dates.

Kettlebell Cafe

• #16 Street 470 (Tuol Tompoung)
• Open daily from 6.30am (closed Sundays)

Part of Amatak, Phnom Penh’s premier CrossFit studio, Kettlebell Cafe caters to health-conscious breakfasters of a slightly different ilk.

Recipes here are fitness-oriented and mainly Paleo or Keto. That means lots of meat and eggs, even on the all-day breakfast menu. You can still find plenty of non-meat options too in the form of Flourless Protein Pancakes and Power Bowls. Protein-rich desserts and superpowered juices are also available.

Kettlebell are just as passionate about their coffee as their no-carbs. The Cortado is rumoured to be the strongest coffee in the neighbourhood, and they also do a Bullet Proof Coffee with double espresso, grass-fed butter, and Dai Khmer Coconut oil.

Sacred Lotus

• #127C Street 440 (Tuol Tompoung)
• Open daily from 7.30am

Sacred Lotus, a cafe-cum homestay, has vegetarian and vegan breakfast options. The downstairs cafe space is a lovely place to sit. I probably chose the wrong dish when I ordered the muesli – the avocado on toast is a better option.

If you can hold out for lunch, daily specials (such as vegan burgers) come with salad, sweet potato fries and a drink. They’re great value for money.

Backyard Cafe

• #11B Street 246 (BKK 1, close to Riverside) & cnr Streets 63 & 278 (BKK 1)
• Open daily from 9am

Like ARTillery, Backyard brings years of experience in the healthfood space to offer a well-rounded menu of plant-based meals. There are now two branches in BKK 1 – one near Riverside, and a new restaurant near Independence Monument.

Light bites include Homemade Nut Butter with seeded toast and a Superfood Granola Bar. Breakfast bowls and fritters dominate the rest of the menu. Wash it down with a herbal tea, smoothie, or hydraulic cold-pressed juice.

If you’re really in a pickle, the Abundance Bowl with temeph, fermented beetroot, ginger and sauerkraut should fix you right up.

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Best bakeries in Phnom Penh

Eric Kayser Artisan Boulanger

• #275 Sisowath Quay (Riverside) & 26 Street 240 (BKK 1)
• Open daily from 6.30am / 6am

Ask any expat (especially a French expat) where to find the best croissants in Cambodia and they will promptly point you towards the nearest Eric Kayser. A celebrity chef and pastry mogul from Alsace, Eric has launched more than 200 branches of his bakery baby all over the world, including a couple of sit-down cafes in Phnom Penh.

The croissants look perfect, don’t they? Well, they taste pretty perfect too. The fact that the wait staff bring out a special placemat to catch the crumbs is a good indication of how flaky and delicate the pastry is.

Maison Kayser also has a full breakfast menu, including French, Cambodian and American sets, all with juice, and coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

The Shop

• #1B Street 102 (near Riverside) & #39 Street 240 (BKK 1)
• Open daily from 6.30am

Just how many crescents of golden, buttery pastry can you handle? Belgian-owned The Shop vies for the title of Phnom Penh’s best bakery, with a massive selection of sweet pastries, cakes, tarts and biscuits up for grabs. Their Street 240 branch also does Belgian truffles.

You really can’t go wrong – just let your heart guide you.

For something more substantial, they also have fun breakfast sets. The Jane Fonda, for example, involves Bircher muesli, pumpkin bread and apple-carrot-ginger juice. The David Beckham features toast with marmelade, a crumpet, and a full hot English ensemble, and the Gerard Depardieu – perhaps most apt in this context – comes with baguette, omelette au fromage and a signature croissant.

SANCHA

• #26 Street 294 (BKK 1)
• Open daily from 7am

SANCHA is run by a Japanese expat. Like all things Japanese, it’s petite, cute, and curious.

Their most popular products are bagels, croissants and pain au chocolat, all baked on-site in small batches and often sold out by early afternoon. There’s also traditional Japanese artisanal breads, including Anpan and Pain de Mie. Some are made with tofu.

If artisinal baked goods are your thing, I also urge you to check out Nom Tom Bakery in Kampot.

Pelican Food Company

• #52B Street 282 (BKK 1)
• Open daily from 7.30am

I love the savoury meat pies at this little family owned bakery. Breakfast, served in the Pelican cafe until 11.30am, comes with complimentary coffee or tea.

Unsurprisingly, the best things on the menu involve carbs. There’s a Big Breakfast with Kampot pepper ham and a bread basket on the side, Challah Bread French Toast with cinnamon, and an indulgent Breakfast Pie.

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Best buffets & hotel breakfasts in Phnom Penh

Theato at The Balé Phnom Penh

• National Road 6A
• Daily from 7am

I’m sure there are dozens of excellent hotel breakfasts in Phnom Penh, but I’m convinced that Theato serves one of the best. Complimentary for guests of The Balé Phnom Penh and open to walk-ins from 7am daily, the a-la carte menu features a huge selection of Western and Khmer classics.

French pastries paired with a bowl of kuy teav… That’s not weird at all! I also love the mango pancakes here. Oh, and they offer a cheese board for breakfast, which I think should be mandatory for all hotels!

Don’t over-eat, though – once you meet the minimum spend at the restaurant, you can stay and use the hotel pool.

La Coupole at Sofitel

• #26 Sothearos Boulevard
• Sundays from 11.30am

A favourite among expats, La Coupole at the Sofitel Phokeethra Hotel offers a brunch buffet for walk-ins every Sunday. This is as gourmet as buffets get. There’s a Peking duck station, wood-fired pizza, mountains of seafood, foi gras, caviar, and a chocolate fountain. The price (currently $60 for adults) includes bottomless Veuve Cliquote.

The setting is spectacular, and on Sundays, the price of brunch includes access to the hotel pool. The perfect way to treat yourself in Phnom Penh.

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Where to stay in Phnom Penh

Luxury: Raffles Le Royal (Riverside) is Phnom Penh’s premier hotel and really can’t be beat for a luxury experience. I also highly recommend designer hotel, The Balé – not just for the breakfast, but also for the gorgeous suites and Mekong ‘infinity’ pool!

If you’re off to see Angkor next, check out my Siem Reap accommodation guide.

Mid-range: Double Leaf is my go-to hotel in Phnom Penh. It’s located in Russian Market – my favourite neighbourhood and old stomping ground.

If you prefer to stay near Riverside, Point Boutique Hotel has views to the water, a gin-themed rooftop bar, and is close to all the action of Sisowath Quay.

The best boutique hotels in Phnom Penh are around BBK 1 and Street 240. My favourites are Patio, Teahouse and newcomer, Baitong.

Budget: At Riverside, I recommend Sla Boutique Hostel for budget travellers. Envoy Hostel and Mad Monkey, both in BKK 1, are also solid choices.

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6 essentials to pack for Phnom Penh

You’ve started the day right, now keep the good vibes coming by making sure you have everything you need for a smooth trip. Here are a few not-so-obvious items I recommend packing for Cambodia and Phnom Penh especially.

• An anti-theft backpack. Petty crime is unfortunately still a big issue in Cambodia, especially in Phnom Penh. Invest in an anti-theft day pack and remember to be extra careful with your belongings when you’re in a tuk tuk or walking down the street. If you hate chunky backpacks, here are my favourite minimalist backpacks (including anti-theft options) for using in a city like Phnom Penh.
• A reusable waterbottle. Don’t contribute to Cambodia’s plastic waste problem! A reusable waterbottle is absolutely essential – I love my S’Well water bottle for warm climates because it doesn’t sweat. Silicone bags, a reusable straw and a portable cutlery set will also come in very handy.
• Sunscreen. Most face creams sold locally in Cambodia contain skin whiteners, while international suncare brands such as Banana Boat can be prohibitively expensive. I highly recommend bringing a tube (or two) of your favourite sunscreen from home. I recently started using this brand and I absolutely love it. I use this one on my face.

• Entertainment for long bus journeys. If you don’t suffer motion sickness, an e-reader is great for passing the time on long bus journeys. If you have a travel buddy, pick up a headphone splitter – probably my favourite travel gadget of all time – so you can share a screen or a podcast.
• A lightweight cotton scarf. This is my number one travel item for Southeast Asia. A light cotton scarf has a thousand uses: Use it to cover your shoulders when you go inside a pagoda, or cover your mouth when you’re tuk-tuking down a dusty road. If you don’t have a favourite, you can always pick one up when you arrive from one of the many ethical souvenir shops in Phnom Penh.
• A pumice stone. After a few hours taking your shoes on and off continuously to go in and out of temples, your tootsies are going to get filthy (trust me!). A pumice stone comes in handy for cleansing your feet at the end of the day.

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More Cambodia travel resources

• Cambodia packing list, handy things to pack for Cambodia
• 1-3 day itinerary for Phnom Penh
• Where to stay in Phnom Penh
• 12 best day trips from Phnom Penh
• The best Khmer restaurants in Phnom Penh
• Where to eat breakfast in Phnom Penh and where to find the best coffee in Phnom Penh
• 51 free things to do in Phnom Penh
• Resort style swimming pools in Phnom Penh
• How to use PassApp to book a tuk tuk in Cambodia
• 41 things to do in Kampot
• Where to stay in Kampot
• How to buy tickets for Angkor Wat
• Best Siem Reap tours for every budget and interest
• My guide to Battambang, Cambodia’s cultural capital
• My guide to Kampong Cham, northern Cambodia’s most charming town
• My guide to Kratie, home of Cambodia’s best sunset!

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