Eating Vegetarian in Cambodia
Whether by personal conviction, preference, or medical necessity, eating vegetarian in Cambodia isn't always straightforward. Khmer cuisine includes fish or meat in most dishes. Here are our favorite addresses in Phnom Penh, Kampot, Siem Reap, and Battambang to satisfy your appetite while eating vegetarian.
Whether by personal conviction, preference, or medical necessity, eating vegetarian in Cambodia isn't always straightforward. Khmer cuisine includes fish or meat in most dishes. Here are our favorite addresses in Phnom Penh, Kampot, Siem Reap and Battambang – Cambodia's most important cities – to satisfy your appetite while eating vegetarian.
If you're unfamiliar with Cambodia, finding the right vegetarian restaurant addresses can prove challenging. To avoid any disappointment, we set out to investigate and discover the country's best vegetarian restaurants.
Phnom Penh
Vego Salad Bar
Vego is something of a specialist in salads, wraps, and bagels in Phnom Penh. A wide selection of snacks is available for around $6. If you wish, you can also compose your own salad.
Highlights: the carefully considered décor is much appreciated.
Address: 3Eo Pasteur St. (51), Phnom Penh
Preparation of a vegetarian sandwich at Vego Salad Bar
Backyard Café
Backyard Café – what is it? Abundant healthy food for a budget of around $7. There's no shortage of choices: you can enjoy pasta, sandwiches, bowls, salads, or homemade specialties, all served generously.
Highlights: thoughtfully designed aesthetics and creative dishes, plus the restaurant donates 10% of profits to an association called "Good Vibe Foundation" that enables schoolchildren to eat healthily.
Address: 11b, street 246 Phnom Penh
Beautifully presented dishes available at Backyard Café in Phnom Penh
Kampot
Eco Vegetarian
Eco Vegetarian, this cozy little restaurant will delight your palate with fresh, organic ingredients. Upon arrival, you'll be charmed by the venue's décor as well as the friendly and warm welcome from the English-speaking owners. As for the menu: each day of the week has its own daily special. Added to this is a small list on the regular menu featuring enticing dishes. Budget around $10 for a main course, dessert, and beverage.
Highlights: quality ingredients bursting with flavor, and the staff's kindness.
Address: Street 710, Kampot
Dish prepared at Eco Vegetarian – Kampot
Siem Reap
The Veg G Table
Quality and quantity are guaranteed for around $6 in a restaurant with a warm atmosphere. The cuisine served is primarily oriented toward Mediterranean flavors. Notably, you'll find the famous hummus from the Middle East.
Highlights: special mention goes to the burger and the establishment's owner. Moreover, we appreciate the restaurant's responsible approach, such as its use of bamboo straws.
Address: 175 Wat Bo Rd, Siem Reap
A pair of dishes accompanied by its traditional coconut juice at Veg G Table
Battambang
Around the World
A modest-looking little restaurant that truly delivers. The dishes prepared here are simple and delicious. The establishment has a terrace as well as an indoor dining area. It's in the latter that you can eat Khmer-style on a low table, seated on cushions in a convivial atmosphere.
Highlights: an unpretentious venue and the warm smiles of the family running the restaurant
Address: 121 59 Street No. 2.5 Between 119, Battambang
Example of a vegetarian dish at Around the World
What are the other alternatives to vegetarian restaurants?
If you're short on time or prefer to keep things simple, you can find at least one vegetarian dish in many Khmer restaurants.
Should this unfortunately not be the case, you can still order fried rice without meat or fish.
