Le Bistrot de l'Institut francais

Le Bistrot de l'Institut francais sits in Phnom Penh and draws a steady crowd of locals, expats and visitors. It is not chasing trends, and that is part of the appeal: you get a proper meal, a fair bill and staff who know the menu.

What to expect

Expect french, european and asian on the menu. Prices are reasonable for the area. Come for a drink first and decide about food once you have a table; the kitchen keeps sensible hours around the bar.

How it rates

Diners have left it a 4.2 average from 82 reviews, and the praise is consistent rather than a one-off spike. Ratings on their own do not tell you everything, but a score this steady over that many visits usually means you will get roughly what the last few hundred people got.

Where it sits

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

How to get there

Most visitors arrive by tuk-tuk or ride-hailing app. Use the map on this page rather than the street address, and allow a little extra time in the middle of the day when the heat slows everything down. If you are coming from the riverside or a central hotel it is a quick hop; from further out, factor in traffic at the start and end of the working day.

Planning a visit

It is open Monday to Saturday. Cambodian kitchens keep flexible hours around public holidays and quiet spells, so a quick call ahead is never wasted, especially for dinner. A solid option to have in your back pocket.