The Best Restaurants in Kampot, Cambodia: My Top 5 Favorite Places to Eat in Kampot

Kampot, Cambodia is a small riverside town, home to a vibrant local Cambodian and global expat community. This combination of culture has produced a variety of restaurants serving delicious local and global cuisines. In this guide I will share my favorite places to grab a bite in Kampot. From traditional Khmer and Thai cuisine, Western style breakfast, vegan friendly restaurants, and Khmer dishes with a creative twist, there is a little something for everyone’s taste buds in Kampot!

1. Epic Arts Cafe

Price: $5-10
Google Maps

Epic Arts Cafe quickly became my go to spot during my trip to Kampot. This social enterprise cafe is a registered non profit that provides inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities and supports education and community projects in Kampot. Cambodia continues to suffer from the impact of the Khmer Rouge regime, which resulted in the loss of approximately 3 million people and left others with severe disabilities. After seeing the need for inclusive education and disability support services in Cambodia, Epic Arts was created. By eating at Epic Arts Cafe, you are directly impacting their mission to build an inclusive society.

The atmosphere of Epic Arts Cafe is friendly and relaxed, and feels like a cozy tree house. All of the staff are friendly, kind, and provide excellent service. The menu offers a variety of breakfast and lunch items, including traditional Khmer and Western dishes, from amok chicken and beef lok lak, to bagel sandwiches and paninis, juices, smoothies, coffee, fresh baked goods, and even cocktails. They really have it all! Including vegan options.

Everything I tried on the menu was delicious, but some of my stand outs are the breakfast bruschetta, the breakfast bagel, beef lok lak, amok chicken curry, and the mango shake. They also make delicious coffee, and you can’t go wrong with any of the baked goods, especially the carrot cake and the vegan brownie! If you want to try out a cocktail, the espresso martini is a can’t miss. Be sure to check out the upstairs, where there is a small shop with locally handmade goods for sale.

2. Lemongrass Bistro

Price: $3-10
Google Maps

Lemongrass Bistro is a Thai restaurant that serves both Thai and Khmer cuisine at a great price, by friendly local staff. Located in central Kampot, this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal. I had previously spent time in Thailand before traveling to Cambodia, and was definitely missing Thai cuisine at this point in my travels, and Lemongrass was just the thing to curb my cravings.

If you want to try a variety of Thai and Khmer options, I recommend the cashew chicken, a Thai stir-fry cooked with chicken, cashew, bell peppers, and onion; pad krapow, a Thai stir-fry made with holy basil, chilies, and garlic, and minced meat like pork, beef or chicken, served over rice with a fried egg; and chicken amok curry, a fragrant and creamy Khmer dish made with lemongrass, turmeric, coconut milk and chicken, steamed in banana leaves.

3. Simple Things អ្វីដែលសាមញ្ញ

Price: $5-10
Google Maps

Simple Things is a cozy vegetarian cafe serving fresh, delicious, and affordable vegetarian and vegan dishes. It is a great place to enjoy a meal or work from your laptop. Their menu is a blend of Mediterranean, Western and Khmer dishes which includes breakfast dishes, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, salads, and tasty juices and teas. For breakfast I recommend the Turkish style scrambled eggs paired with a fresh fruit bowl, and for lunch the Dali bowl. My favorite drinks are the brasilerio smoothie or a pot of oolong tea.

4. Bampong Creative Khmer Cuisine

Price: $5-10
Google Maps

Bampong Creative Khmer Cuisine totally surprised me. This restaurant is owned and run by a passionate Italian expat and his Khmer wife. We were greeted and served by the friendly Italian owner, whose love for Khmer cuisine and his restaurant really shines through in his service. The atmosphere of the restaurant is cozy, intimate, and relaxed. The overall menu stays true to Khmer cuisine, but with a twist of ingredients, and changes seasonally in order to provide fresh and high quality dishes. I will share my favorite bites from the meal, but please be aware the menu is subject to change.

I started off my meal with Khmer bites, a blend of fresh local vegetables, Kampot pepper, chili and lime, and a choice of meat or tofu, lightly battered and fried. These were so delicious and unique, I didn’t run across anything else like them during my travels in Cambodia. For my entree I had the amok chicken curry, creamy, flavorful, and served with black rice. To drink I enjoyed an iced green tea and a glass of Italian red wine. From the food to chatting with the owner, everything was fresh, flavorful, and fun. I definitely recommend checking out Bampong Creative Khmer Cuisine for a memorable and delicious foodie experience.

5. We Are Back

Price: $5-10
Google Maps

We Are Back Restaurant and Bar is located along the river walk, and is a great place to relax and people watch while enjoying a drink and a meal. With kind service, affordable delicious food, and $3 cocktails, you are sure to enjoy your time. Their menu offers a variety of Khmer and Western food. I recommend the spring rolls, amok chicken, and fried vegetable rice. To drink, I enjoyed the caprikosa and mojito.

Top Spin Bar

Price: $1-5
Google Maps

If you are looking for a spot to grab a drink after dinner in Kampot, Top Spin is a laid back bar with great vibes, centrally located in the Kampot town center. You can play pool, chill at the bar, or sit around the tables with friends for a drink. I recommend ending your evening at Top Spin after checking out any of the restaurants from my guide. Cheers!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re visiting for a few days or settling in for a longer adventure, there are plenty of delicious restaurants to try during your stay in Kampot. What makes Kampot’s food scene so special is the blend of traditional Khmer flavors, international influence, and passionate local and expat entrepreneurs who have created welcoming spaces for travelers and residents alike.

From supporting meaningful social enterprises at Epic Arts Cafe, to enjoying authentic Thai cuisine at Lemongrass Bistro, tasting creative Khmer dishes at Bampong, savoring vegetarian dishes at Simple Things, or unwinding with riverside cocktails at We Are Back, there’s no shortage of dining experiences. No matter your budget or tastes, Kampot offers something for everyone.

FAQs

Is Kampot worth visiting?

Kampot was one of the highlights of my time in Cambodia. If you are looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, this riverside town in the Cambodia country side is the place for you. While much slower pace, there is still plenty to explore and experience.

How do you get around Kampot?

The most common way to get around Kampot is by tuk tuk. You can order them through the Grab app or hail one down from the street, but be sure you agree on a price before getting in to avoid any misunderstandings. You can also rent a motorbike or bicycle through your accommodation or a local shop if you want to be more independent.

What are the best restaurants in Kampot?

My personal favorite is Epic Arts Cafe, a social enterprise cafe that provides inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities and supports education and community projects in Kampot. By eating at Epic Arts Cafe, you are directly impacting their mission to build an inclusive society. You can learn more about my favorite restaurants in Kampot here.

Does Kampot have an airport?

No Kampot does not have an airport. The closest airport to Kampot is in Sihanoukville, but is still a bumpy 3 hour drive away. The second closest airport is Phnom Penh, which is about a 3 hour drive away.

How do you get to Kampot from Phnom Penh?

Kampot does not have an airport. You can take a bus, shared or private van, or the train to Kampot from Phnom Penh. I booked a shared mini van through my hostel, Mad Monkey Phnom Penh, and it cost $8 and took about 3 hours.

How do you get to Kampot from Siem Reap?

Since Kampot does not have an airport, you can take a bus, shared or private van, or the train to Kampot from Siem Reap. It is a about an 8 hour drive. I recommend breaking up the trip by stopping in Phnom Penh for a couple nights before taking the train or a van to Kampot.