Phnom Penh Coffee Shops
Mon 19 Jul 2010
One of the things that keeps me coming back to Phnom Penh is that it’s a small city that you can easily get around on foot to most places. Of course, all that walking builds up a thirst, and a need to take a load off from time to time, so another nice thing about the city is the large number of nice coffee shops. Here’s a short roundup of the coffee shops I’ve tried around town.
The casual interior of Brown Coffee and Bakery
Brown Coffee and Bakery
Brown is perhaps the newest and most ‘posh’ shop on this list. The stand-alone café is in a large building on Street 214 just next to the Pencil Supermarket. The stark white interior is decorated with comfortable chairs and sofas, with the walls covered by modern coffee-inspired art. The large space is divided into smaller areas, so the shop may not be as full as it seems when you just walk in. The cappuccino was quite good, the baked goods looked delicious but I didn’t get a chance to sample them. There’s also a menu of sandwiches, salads and breakfast. See the Brown Coffee and Bakery web site for additional information.
T & C
This small chain used to go by the name "Tea & Coffee World" but they seem to have shortened it to just "T & C". Although locally owned, the chain seems to have some relationship with Vietnam’s Trung Nguyen coffee chain. The coffee is an acquired taste, but one most people get addicted to once they’ve tried it. The prices are rather cheap, making most of their 12 branches quite popular. You can find more information at the CBM web site.
Cafe Fresco
Operated by the venerable FCC group, Cafe Fresco has a great location right on the Quay just down the block from the National Museum. The coffee is good, and there’s a nice selection of bakery items, sandwiches and some great smoothies too. They used to have another handy branch facing the Central Market, but it was closed up the last time I walked by. Check the Cafe Fresco web site for more information.
Java Café
This is one of my favorite places in Phnom Penh. They make the best cookies in Southeast Asia, in my opinion. The coffee isn’t bad either. The main café near the Independence Monument has plenty of comfortable seating – and the best selection of cookies! – but the branch at Monument books is also quite comfy, although often full. The Java Arts web site doesn’t say much about the cafés but you can find out about the art shows there.
Tags: Coffee • Phnom Penh • wi-fi
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5 Responses to “Phnom Penh Coffee Shops”
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January 16th, 2011 at 10:47 am
Brown Coffee and tea has got a great ambience and I like the computer terminals if you don’t have you’re own laptop. But to be honest their coffee is very poor. Been 4 or 5 times and they are over heating their milk and their espresso coffee bean is old, not fresh enough. T&C do a better coffee, but again not really fresh or strong enough.Fresco make the best coffee of the coffee shops you have reviewed and their cake and pastries are of an truly international quality. java cafe has a great atmosphere, commendable arts promotion, and stunning healthy food…but their coffee is the worst of the coffee shops you have listed.
My favorite place for a quick espresso is a little palce called CoffeeCafe near Sovanna market. No a/c or wifi, but amazing espresso and 4 or 5 times cheaper than anywhere else in town. 2000 riel a shot! Don’t know how they do it!! And their frappe is amazing! At least Twice as big as Browns topped with fresh whipped cream and only 4500Reil…saving you $3 or so dollars and hobeslty its the best I have tried in Asia. Think it’s owned and run by some western guy, but he’s never there when I go. Wish they did some cakes and things to go with the coffee.
January 27th, 2011 at 11:42 am
I was thinking to establish my own Coffee House in Phenom phen as I’m Coffee lover. Guys you have provide a good picture of what is going on in Phenom Phen. I have been try to find enough information in this industry in Cambodia. However, I cannot get enough information so far. Can any one help me to find information that may help me to establish new coffee house in Phenom Phen.
July 7th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
[...] Coffee is one of several Phnom Penh coffee shops I reviewed last year. It was rather new then, and it seems to have gotten very popular since I was [...]
October 17th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
In terms of coffee, as of fall 2011, Brown has the best coffee. They do a great job steaming their milk and their coffee tastes better than average. Both Fresco and Java Cafe serve stale Lavazza coffee. T&C is better than average coffee, but I’ve found their customer service to be bad.
October 17th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
I pretty much only go to T & C for the Vietnamese coffee, which you can’t easily get elsewhere in Phnom Penh. I spent a lot of time at Brown on my last trip, so I’d be inclined to agree with you.