3 relaxing Cafés in Siem Reap

Visiting the temples of Angkor can be an exhausting activity, depending on the time of year you choose to go. The combination of long walks and the heat of a Cambodian April may be invigorating… but also calls for a well-deserved break and some serious relaxation. Many hotels offer spa facilities, massage rooms, swimming pools—in short, everything you need to feel at ease during your stay. But some travelers may prefer to sit in the heart of Siem Reap, gaze at this city that guards the temples, and unwind on a café or bar terrace in the late afternoon.

Whats else ?

You’ll most likely wander down Sok San Road, right in the center of Siem Reap and just a stone’s throw from Pub Street. This street is home to many hotels and restaurants, but also to the café we’re interested in here: Wat Else Café. Don’t expect to see Robert De Niro or Jean Dujardin, but you’ll agree the name is a clever play on words.

A charming, rustic atmosphere awaits you inside or on the terrace. If your stomach starts rumbling in the late afternoon after hours of temple hunting, this is the perfect place to stop. You can enjoy reasonably priced Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches, or French-style sandwiches with cheese, and treat yourself to a coffee or a beer to start off your evening. What else?

Casual and Cozy

Now let’s step away from the city center for a moment. Just a few minutes south, you’ll find Wine O’clock, a sandwich bar that also functions as a café and a wine bar. Tucked near the Sala Lodges hotel, it’s away from the (moderate) hustle and bustle of Siem Reap, offering a calmer environment. Barbecue grilling is a mainstay here. You can enjoy your meal under the covered terrace of a charming wooden pergola, alongside platters of cold cuts and cheese.

Sandwiches are also on the menu. Beer, wine, and of course, water help round out the feast. A casual and friendly way to end your afternoon.

Flora meets spirits – A taste of refinement

Asana Wooden House is the last remaining traditional Khmer house in the festive Pub Street district. Tucked away on a quieter side street just two blocks from the main road, it has been beautifully restored and now hosts a refined cocktail bar. The two gardens and spacious terrace give a natural, almost secluded vibe—surprising, considering the central location.

It’s the ideal place to spend a late afternoon and early evening. Their “Khmer herb” cocktails immerse you in Cambodian flora, with creations like tamarind rum, sugarcane-infused blends, or even a coconut white Russian. These creative and exotic cocktails are sure to delight your senses.