Brown Cafe

Set in Phnom Penh, Brown Cafe has become one of the neighbourhood's dependable coffee stops. It is the kind of place you end up returning to rather than seeking out once, and it tends to stay busy without feeling rushed.

On the menu

Espresso drinks, tea and light plates make up most of the menu. Prices are reasonable for the area. The room is built for sitting a while, so it works as easily for a slow breakfast as for an afternoon with a laptop.

The verdict so far

With 99 reviews and a 4.3 score, the feedback is steady and mostly about the food and the welcome. The reviews that stand out tend to mention the same two or three dishes and the service, which is a better signal than the number alone.

Around here

Phnom Penh is compact enough that you can pair this with a museum, a market or the riverfront in the same afternoon.

Getting there

Getting here is straightforward by tuk-tuk or a ride-hailing app; give the driver the name and the area rather than a street number, which is how most people navigate in Cambodia. Fares for a ride like this are low by most standards, and agreeing the price or using the app rate up front avoids the usual haggle at tourist-heavy spots.

Before you go

It is open every day. Lunchtime and early evening are the safe windows; later in the night some places wind the kitchen down before the listed closing time. One to keep on the list for your next trip across town.