La Vida Floating

If you want chinese food in Chroy Changvar, Phnom Penh, La Vida Floating is an easy recommendation. It has settled into its spot over the years, and the room fills with a mix of first-timers working through a guide and locals on their usual table.

The food and the setting

The kitchen leans into chinese, japanese and european. Prices are reasonable for the area. It handles both a quick weekday lunch and a longer dinner, and the kitchen keeps up even when the room is full.

What people think

It holds a 4.8 rating across 5 reviews, which is a solid sign for somewhere that is not trying to be fancy. It is worth reading a handful of the recent reviews before you go, since they will tell you which dishes people order twice and which to skip.

The neighbourhood

Chroy Changvar is one of the parts of Phnom Penh visitors actually walk around, and La Vida Floating fits the pace of it. Phnom Penh is compact enough that you can pair this with a museum, a market or the riverfront in the same afternoon.

Getting there

A tuk-tuk or a Grab / PassApp ride is the simplest way in. Save the map pin from the top of this page, since street numbering is loose and the name plus the neighbourhood usually gets you there faster. A short walk is fine in the cooler part of the day, but pavements are uneven and often blocked, so most people ride the last stretch even when it is close.

Good to know

It is open every day. If you are building a day around it, aim for slightly off-peak: the room is calmer and the kitchen has more time for your table. Worth pencilling in if you find yourself in Chroy Changvar.