Sovanna

If you want drinks in Phnom Penh, Sovanna 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.

On the menu

You will find barbecue, asian and cambodian here. Prices stay friendly, which is a big part of why people keep coming back. It gets going in the evening and holds a crowd late, with the food menu there to keep you going rather than to be the main event.

The verdict so far

With over 177 reviews and a 4.0 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

Opening hours can shift, so it is worth checking before a long trip across town. 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.