A First-Timer’s Guide to Siem Reap Street Food & Nightlife

When the sun goes down and temple gates close, Siem Reap transforms into a lively hub of night markets, street food stalls, craft cocktail lounges, and bustling music venues. Cambodian cuisine (Khmer food) is rich, subtle, and incredibly varied—blending fresh herbs, aromatic spices, and coconut milk.

Here is your starter guide to eating and drinking like a local in Siem Reap.

Essential Dishes to Try

• Fish Amok: Cambodia’s national dish. Fresh river fish coated in a fragrant lemongrass paste (kroeung), coconut cream, and egg, steamed to a custard-like texture inside a banana leaf.
• Beef Lok Lak: Tender stir-fried beef strips served over lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions, accompanied by a signature dipping sauce made of lime juice, sea salt, and Kampot black pepper.
• Nom Banh Chok (Khmer Noodles): Rice noodles topped with a light green fish curry sauce brewed with lemongrass, turmeric, and kaffir lime leaves, topped with fresh herbs and bean sprouts.
• Fried Crispy Insects: For adventurous eaters! Look out for night market carts selling seasoned crickets, grasshoppers, and silk larvae seasoned with chili and garlic.

Where to Head in the Evening

1. Night Market Street Food (Road 60)

For an authentic local street food experience away from major tourist hubs, visit Kyung Yu Night Market (Road 60). Here, local families gather on mats along the sidewalk to sample grilled chicken, fresh tropical fruit, roasted pork skewers, and seafood.

2. The Old Market & Wat Bo Area

The lanes surrounding the Old Market (Phsar Chas) and across the river in the trendy Wat Bo Neighborhood offer an incredible variety of chic cafes, family-run traditional restaurants, and boutique craft cocktail bars.

3. Pub Street

Siem Reap’s famous Pub Street (Street 08) is the central destination for nightlife. Filled with colorful neon signs, cheap beer, loud music, and street stalls selling ice cream rolls and banana pancakes, it's a fun place to celebrate after a long day of walking through ancient temples.