Sihanoukville, named for the former King Sihanouk, is part working port town and
part backpacker destination. You could spend a few days here or go all in and
spend a month, cut off from the outside world and living for a few dollars a
night on Otres Beach. The beach experiences range from Serendipity Beach's fire
shows and all-night parties to the more relaxed vibe at Victory Beach. Elegant
dining and wine lists can be found, as can funky coffee places with run by NGOs.
Here are the best seats in the house from sunrise to sunset, from lobster and
wine to tacos and tequila.
Credit: Collected by Jenny Adams, AFAR Local Expert
Samudera Market
Supermarket · Preah Sihanouk
"Starfish Project Bakery & Cafe There’s no better place to start your day than Starfish. Located downtown off a small side street, this is a bakery, gift shop and garden all in one. The French toast is a must-try, and after indulging, you can pick up a few small gifts in their shop. Starfish Project is a nonprofit that employs disabled Cambodians who might struggle for work elsewhere. They operate the bakery and the adjacent store, too, where you’ll find a beautifully displayed collection of hand-crafted silver jewelry, woven baskets and colorful silk scarves."
Above Us Only Sky
Permanently Closed
"Drinking here will make you feel as though you stumbled into a Rudyard Kipling novel or potentially the Swiss Family Robinson tree house . . . with cocktails, of course. The thatched beach shack—with a wooden plank floor and plenty of bar stools—is set on a small rock outcrop, so you drink to the sound of waves lapping against the side of the bar. The staff are skilled with a blender and whip up excellent daiquiris in flavors from mango to classic lime."
Maybe Later
Permanently Closed
"Maybe Later for Tequila and People-Watching Serendipity Beach Road comes alive at night with locals and backpackers, tuk tuks and motorbikes, the hustle and bustle of traffic moving to and from the seaside. Want to take it all in from a chill perch? Maybe Later is a staple in the city, located right on the busiest main drag, with alfresco tables and a bright and friendly, red-lit interior bar space. The burritos are massive, the tequila list is impressive, and it's an easy decision to claim a table here early with friends and simply never leave. Pro tip: The famous bathrooms are worth a peek, especially for fans of Rambo and Sylvester Stallone."
The Secret Garden at Otres Beach
Hotel · Preah Sihanouk
"Dine on authentic Cambodian curries right on Otres Beach. The chef here is Scottish-born but well-versed in Cambodian cuisine, so Secret Garden is the ideal place to try amok —the country's most famous dish. The curry is traditionally made with white flaky fish (or chicken, if you prefer) and served in a banana-leaf wrap. Arrive early, snag a prime table right on the sand and linger for hours."
Wat Leu Pagoda
Buddhist temple · Preah Sihanouk
"Lunch and a swim at Pagoda Rocks Boutique Hotel A 15-minute tuktuk ride from Serendipity Beach Road will wind you straight up Sihanoukville Mountain. Be on the lookout for monkeys as your journey, and be ready to hold your breath. At some points,the tuktuk willseem like it's clumbingnearly vertically. At the top, you'll pull into the driveway of Pagoda Rocks Boutique Hotel. At the restaurant, indoor/outdoor dining tables are set overlooking the bright, verdant jungle and the blue of the ocean beyond. The menu features both traditional western options, as well as Cambodian classics. For a small fee, you can also take a dip in the beautiful infinity pool after lunch before the trip back downhill."
"The Deck Tapas Bar at Sokha Beach Resort A crisp white wine from France. A plate of grilled squid, pink prawns, and spicy dipping sauces. First-class service. A sunset view that cannot be topped. It's easy to see why Sokha Resort's Deck Tapas bar is a top choice for daily sunsets and for special occasions in Cambodia . After sharing a few small plates and a bottle with friends, move inside to their acclaimed Lemongrass Restaurant for proper dinner."
Where to Eat and Drink with the Best Views in Sianoukville
6 Places
Sihanoukville, named for the former King Sihanouk, is part working port town and
part backpacker destination. You could spend a few days here or go all in and
spend a month, cut off from the outside world and living for a few dollars a
night on Otres Beach. The beach experiences range from Serendipity Beach's fire
shows and all-night parties to the more relaxed vibe at Victory Beach. Elegant
dining and wine lists can be found, as can funky coffee places with run by NGOs.
Here are the best seats in the house from sunrise to sunset, from lobster and
wine to tacos and tequila.
Credit: Collected by Jenny Adams, AFAR Local Expert
Samudera Market
Supermarket
"Starfish Project Bakery & Cafe There’s no better place to start your day than Starfish. Located downtown off a small side street, this is a bakery, gift shop and garden all in one. The French toast is a must-try, and after indulging, you can pick up a few small gifts in their shop. Starfish Project is a nonprofit that employs disabled Cambodians who might struggle for work elsewhere. They operate the bakery and the adjacent store, too, where you’ll find a beautifully displayed collection of hand-crafted silver jewelry, woven baskets and colorful silk scarves."
Above Us Only Sky
Permanently closed
"Drinking here will make you feel as though you stumbled into a Rudyard Kipling novel or potentially the Swiss Family Robinson tree house . . . with cocktails, of course. The thatched beach shack—with a wooden plank floor and plenty of bar stools—is set on a small rock outcrop, so you drink to the sound of waves lapping against the side of the bar. The staff are skilled with a blender and whip up excellent daiquiris in flavors from mango to classic lime."
Maybe Later
Permanently closed
"Maybe Later for Tequila and People-Watching Serendipity Beach Road comes alive at night with locals and backpackers, tuk tuks and motorbikes, the hustle and bustle of traffic moving to and from the seaside. Want to take it all in from a chill perch? Maybe Later is a staple in the city, located right on the busiest main drag, with alfresco tables and a bright and friendly, red-lit interior bar space. The burritos are massive, the tequila list is impressive, and it's an easy decision to claim a table here early with friends and simply never leave. Pro tip: The famous bathrooms are worth a peek, especially for fans of Rambo and Sylvester Stallone."
The Secret Garden at Otres Beach
Hotel
"Dine on authentic Cambodian curries right on Otres Beach. The chef here is Scottish-born but well-versed in Cambodian cuisine, so Secret Garden is the ideal place to try amok —the country's most famous dish. The curry is traditionally made with white flaky fish (or chicken, if you prefer) and served in a banana-leaf wrap. Arrive early, snag a prime table right on the sand and linger for hours."
Wat Leu Pagoda
Buddhist temple
"Lunch and a swim at Pagoda Rocks Boutique Hotel A 15-minute tuktuk ride from Serendipity Beach Road will wind you straight up Sihanoukville Mountain. Be on the lookout for monkeys as your journey, and be ready to hold your breath. At some points,the tuktuk willseem like it's clumbingnearly vertically. At the top, you'll pull into the driveway of Pagoda Rocks Boutique Hotel. At the restaurant, indoor/outdoor dining tables are set overlooking the bright, verdant jungle and the blue of the ocean beyond. The menu features both traditional western options, as well as Cambodian classics. For a small fee, you can also take a dip in the beautiful infinity pool after lunch before the trip back downhill."
The Deck Tapas Bar
"The Deck Tapas Bar at Sokha Beach Resort A crisp white wine from France. A plate of grilled squid, pink prawns, and spicy dipping sauces. First-class service. A sunset view that cannot be topped. It's easy to see why Sokha Resort's Deck Tapas bar is a top choice for daily sunsets and for special occasions in Cambodia . After sharing a few small plates and a bottle with friends, move inside to their acclaimed Lemongrass Restaurant for proper dinner."
