Cambodia
This is an NGO which has been set up to train young Cambodians in the tourism industry. Tues - Fri lunchtime the restaurant is open. For 8USD you are served a 3 course lunch in peaceful surroundings by the students who are learning about catering, serving, bar, and hospitality.
NH6 West, Siem Reap
Blue Pumpkin is a cafe/bar in the centre of Siem Reap. Go all the way upstairs as far as you can until you reach the A/C enclave with the most divine sofas for a comfy and relaxing drink or bite to eat. Their ice cream shakes are to die for.
Psar Chaa area
A small restaurant in an alley in the centre of Siem Reap. Just ask any local or taxi to direct you. Local Khmer food, very good, very cheap. a meal for two with beer is about $10.
This is an inexpensive (US$12 per room), simple, clean and very friendly guest house. Each room has en suite and air conditioning. It is a good place to unwind after a hard, hot day. There is a bar, a casual restaurant (with Western or Khmer-style food), a pool table (good for chilling out) and free internet for catching up with your emails and bragging to friends. It is close to town and they give you transport around town and to the airport. The modest profits from here go to support Savong's School - a volunteer language school that is also worth visiting.
D&D Angkor Villa Guest House,
No 6 Highway (Airport Road, near the Caltex Station).
Tel : (00 84) 855 12 531 037
www.angkorvilla.com
Fantastic decor, open windows overlooking the river, colonial charm and delicious food and drink.
Pokambor Avenue, next to the Royal Residence;
restaurant/bar : 855 63 760 283;
reservations : 855 63 760 280;
email: angkor@fcccambodia.com;
www.fcccambodia.com/angkor/
Siem Reap's premier restaurant. For a taste of what the colonial lifestyle might have been like before the guns started firing take a pew on the veranda in this old French villa . The menu is extensive, tasty and not that expensive, and Angelina Jolie can't be wrong about the cocktails (they even named one after her).
If you really like it, there's a guesthouse too.
No. 341, 50 m north-west of the Old Market, Svay Dangkom, Mondul I;
www.redpianocambodia.com
Fantastic views at sunset. Head upstairs to the roof and order 2 for 1 cocktails that come to 3 US dollars for 2 drinks. Watch the street kids harass the tourists, lots of fun... then don't forget to order heaps of spring rolls to give to the kids when you leave.
On the corner of the bar street, one block from the old market.
Earthwalkers is a fantastic, friendly, buzzing guesthouse. Run by a group of young Norwegians and employing brilliantly friendly, happy and professional Khmer staff, they have clean, comfortable rooms and great service as well as a welcoming and sociable bar and restaurant area. Tours to Tonle Sap, Angkor Wat and other spots can easily be organised, as well as onward travel - nothing is too much hassle.
One of the best things about staying at Earthwalkers is the chance to make a genuine difference in Siem Reap and further afield - Earthwalkers runs a fund dedicated to helping underprivileged Cambodians, and also co-ordinates voluntary work, as well as holding regular Apsara dancing shows by local children.
Siem Reap - Airport Road. Most tuk tuk and motorbike drivers in town know it;
www.earthwalkers.no, or book online via www.hostelworld.com.
Truly delicious. A dollar or so will get you a big bag plus a pomelo (grapefruit-like fruit) for the full experience. Crunchy and tasty, a bit like crispy bacon. Try them, you'll be glad you did.
Street corners near the river, especially around the post office
The children from Krousar Thmey’s orphanage put on a shadow puppet play every Thursday at La Noria restaurant. It's for a good cause and entertaining. The food is delicious too.
La Noria restaurant, on the east side of the river, 50 metres north of Route 6
Lovely, good value guest house - spotless, excellent food and reliable information / guides for the temples of Angkor.
Wat Bo Road;
www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-twodragons.htm
The Ivy Guesthouse is next to the central market and has an excellent restaurant (try the stilton burger) and bar with Angkor beer on tap. The rooms have modern air-conditioning and the ones at the front have a balcony to watch the bustling marketplace in action. Rooms have hot showers ensuite. The best place I have stayed in south-east Asia.
On the south-west corner of the central market place.
This is perhaps the best hotel in all of Cambodia. The new facilities and the local and international staff are nearly perfect as they move from soft opening to grand opening. The luxury duplex spa suites with breakfast and private pools are so good I never wanted to leave.
www.hoteldelapaixangkor.com/
Sivutha Blvd, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tel: + 855 63 966 000
Fax: + 855 63 965 001
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