Xian Taiwan

Set in Tonle Bassac, Phnom Penh, Xian Taiwan has become one of the neighbourhood's dependable drinks 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.

What to expect

Expect chinese, seafood and barbecue on the menu. It sits at the upmarket end of the scale, so it works best for a treat or a special evening. 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.

Where it sits

You are in Tonle Bassac here, so it is easy to fold a visit into a wander around that side of Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh is compact enough that you can pair this with a museum, a market or the riverfront in the same afternoon.

Getting 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 every day. Cambodian kitchens keep flexible hours around public holidays and quiet spells, so a quick call ahead is never wasted, especially for dinner. Handy to know about when you are in the Tonle Bassac part of town.