Pastel

Pastel is a french food spot in Tonle Bassac, Phnom Penh that regulars come back to. The pull here is consistency more than novelty, which is exactly what you want when you are booking somewhere you have not tried.

On the menu

You will find french and american here. Prices stay friendly, which is a big part of why people keep coming back. The cooking is the draw rather than the setting, and the menu is broad enough that a mixed group will all find something.

Around here

Tonle Bassac has its own character within Phnom Penh, and Pastel is part of what keeps people coming back to the area. 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

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. It is an easy stop if you are already around Tonle Bassac.