Best Tea Lounges in Siem Reap for a Proper Sit-Down Cup
Words by
Dara Sok
Finding the Best Tea Lounges in Siem Reap
I have spent the better part of three years drifting through Siem Reap's side streets and back alleys, chasing down cups of tea in every form imaginable. What I found is that the best tea lounges in Siem Reap are not the ones plastered all over Instagram. They are the quiet rooms above a tailor's shop, the open-air pavilion behind a family home, the corner table at a French colonial building where the owner personally selects the leaves. Siem Reap's tea culture sits at a crossroads, Khmer tradition meeting Chinese heritage meeting French colonial influence meeting a new generation of Cambodian entrepreneurs who take their matcha and oolong as seriously as their coffee. This guide is the result of hundreds of afternoons spent sitting, sipping, and talking to the people who run these places. Every venue listed here is real, and I have visited each one personally.
The Old Market Area: Where Tea Culture Runs Deep
The streets surrounding Psar Chas, the Old Market, have been a center of Chinese-Khmer commerce for well over a century. Tea has always been part of that story. Merchants from Guangdong and Fujian provinces settled here in the late 1800s, and their descendants still run shops where tea is brewed the old way, in small clay pots with leaves that have been in the family for generations. Walking through this neighborhood in the late afternoon, you can smell oolong and jasmine drifting out of doorways that look like they sell nothing but fabric or hardware.
1. Lao Coffee and Tea on Street 08
What to Order: The Chinese oolong served in a traditional gaiwan set. The owner, a third-generation Sino-Khmer woman, sources her tea from a contact in Yunnan and keeps the good stock behind the counter, not on the menu. You have to ask for it.
Best Time: Weekday afternoons between 2:00 and 4:00 PM. The lunch crowd from the nearby market clears out, and you will often have the front room to yourself.
The Vibe: A narrow shop with tiled floors, ceiling fans, and framed black-and-white photographs of the family's original storefront from the 1960s. It feels like stepping into someone's living room, which it essentially is. The back room is where the family eats dinner most nights.
Insider Detail: If you visit more than twice, the owner will start remembering your usual order and will sometimes pour you a sample of whatever new shipment just arrived. This is not advertised. It just happens.
Local Tip: The alley behind this shop leads to a small Buddhist shrine that most tourists never see. Light a stick of incense, then come back for your tea. The owner appreciates the gesture.
2. Tea Garden Restaurant on Wat Bo Road
What to Order: The afternoon tea Siem Reap visitors rarely know about, a set menu that includes a pot of Cambodian jasmine green tea, num ansom (sticky rice cakes), and a plate of tropical fruit. It is priced for locals, not tourists.
Best Time: Saturday or Sunday around 3:00 PM, when the riverside foot traffic thins and the light coming through the wooden shutters turns golden.
The Vibe: A two-story wooden house set back from the road, with a small garden in front where frangipani trees drop petals onto the stone path. The upstairs balcony overlooks the river. It is one of the last remaining examples of pre-war Khmer wooden architecture on this stretch of Wat Bo Road.
Insider Detail: The building survived the Khmer Rouge period because it was used as a storage facility. The family who owns it now restored it in 2012, keeping the original teak beams. Ask the older gentleman who runs the upstairs about the building's history. He will talk for an hour if you let him.
One Complaint: The downstairs bathroom is accessed through the kitchen, which can feel awkward during busy periods. Plan accordingly.
The French Quarter: Colonial Elegance Meets Khmer Warmth
North of the Old Market, the streets widen and the architecture shifts. Wide boulevards, pastel-colored villas, and tall shuttered windows define the French Quarter, which was laid out during the protectorate period in the early twentieth century. Several of the tea houses Siem Reap is known for are housed in restored colonial buildings here, and the atmosphere leans toward the refined without being stuffy.
3. The Little Red Fox Espresso on Street 24
What to Order: Their matcha latte made with ceremonial-grade powder imported from Uji, Japan. It is one of the few matcha cafe Siem Reap options that uses real stone-ground matcha rather than the pre-sweetened powder most places rely on. They also serve a loose-leaf Darjeeling that is brewed with precise temperature control.
Best Time: Early morning, between 7:30 and 9:00 AM, before the heat builds and before the remote-worker crowd claims every power outlet.
The Vibe: A narrow colonial townhouse with a tiled courtyard in the back. The interior is minimal, almost Scandinavian, with white walls and a single long wooden table. The contrast between the Khmer street outside and the clean interior is striking. The owner, a Cambodian-Australian woman, designed the space herself after living in Melbourne for a decade.
Insider Detail: The courtyard has a single mango tree that is over forty years old. During mango season, the staff sometimes brings out a plate of sliced fruit for regulars. It is not on the menu and never will be.
Local Tip: This street becomes nearly impassable by tuk-tuk between 4:00 and 6:00 PM due to school traffic. Walk or cycle if you can.
4. Caruso Restaurant on Pokambor Avenue
What to Order: The iced lemongrass tea, house-made with fresh stalks pounded and steeped, then served over crushed ice with a thin slice of lime. It is the kind of drink that makes you understand why Khmer herbal remedies and Khmer beverages come from the same tradition.
Best Time: Late afternoon, around 4:30 PM, when the restaurant transitions from lunch service to its quieter pre-dinner period. The staff has time to chat.
The Vibe: A restored French colonial villa with high ceilings, slow-turning fans, and a small bar area that feels like a 1930s Saigon cocktail lounge. The owner is a French-Khmer chef who returned to Siem Reap after twenty years in Paris. The tea service here is an extension of his philosophy, that every detail matters, even the water temperature.
Insider Detail: The villa was originally built in the 1920s for a French customs officer. During the 1990s UN period, it served as a meeting room for peace negotiators. The owner has a framed photograph of the original building, half-ruined, hanging near the restrooms.
One Complaint: The air conditioning in the main dining room is set quite cold. If you are sensitive, ask for a table on the terrace instead.
The Riverside and Wat Promathat Area: Quiet Corners for Slow Drinking
The stretch of river between Wat Promathat and the Siem Reap River bridge is where locals go to escape the tourist energy of Pub Street. The pace slows down here. Motorbikes still pass, but they pass at a gentler speed. Several small tea houses Siem Reap residents frequent are tucked into this area, and they reward the visitor who is willing to wander.
5. Oryza Restaurant and Lounge on the Riverside Road
What to Order: The Cambodian wild honey tea, made with forest honey sourced from Mondulkiri province and blended with a local black tea that has a slightly smoky character. It is served in a small ceramic pot with two cups, meant for sharing.
Best Time: Sunset, between 5:30 and 6:30 PM, when the river turns copper-colored and the outdoor seating along the bank is at its most peaceful.
The Vibe: A semi-open pavilion with woven bamboo walls and a thatched roof. The furniture is low, Khmer-style, with cushions on raised platforms. It feels more like a village gathering place than a restaurant, which is intentional. The owner grew up in a farming community outside Battambang and designed the space to remind her of home.
Insider Detail: On full moon evenings, the restaurant hosts a small bonfire by the river and serves tea and grilled banana to anyone who shows up. There is no sign advertising this. You hear about it by word of mouth or by being a regular.
Local Tip: The path along the river from Oryza toward Wat Promathat is unpaved and can be muddy in the rainy season. Wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty.
6. The Hive on Sivutha Boulevard
What to Order: The iced butterfly pea flower tea with lime and honey. It starts blue, turns purple when the lime hits it, and tastes faintly of earth and citrus. They also serve a solid chai made from a house spice blend that includes cardamom, star anise, and a touch of black pepper.
Best Time: Mid-morning, around 10:00 AM, when the space is quiet and the natural light through the front windows is perfect for reading or working on a laptop.
The Vibe: A bright, plant-filled space run by a young Cambodian couple who met while studying in Phnom Penh. The walls are covered in local art that rotates monthly. The music is always low, always instrumental. It feels like the living room of friends who have excellent taste.
Insider Detail: The couple sources their butterfly pea flowers from a small farm in Kampong Cham province. They visited the farm personally before agreeing to buy. If you ask, they will show you photos on their phone.
One Complaint: The Wi-Fi signal is strong near the front but drops off significantly toward the back tables. If you need a stable connection for work, grab a seat within three meters of the counter.
The Banteay Srei and Outer Temple Road Corridor: Tea Beyond the Center
Most visitors never venture beyond the ring road, but some of the most interesting tea experiences in Siem Reap are found along the roads that lead toward the outer temples. These places cater to a mix of locals, expats, and the occasional adventurous tourist who has rented a bicycle.
7. Banteay Srei Restaurant and Tea House on the Road to Banteay Srei Temple
What to Order: The pandan leaf tea, brewed fresh from whole leaves that are grown in the restaurant's own garden. It has a sweet, almost vanilla-like aroma and is served warm in a simple glass. Pair it with a plate of krolan (bamboo-tube sticky rice) for a proper Khmer snack.
Best Time: Midday, between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, before the temple tour buses arrive and after the early-morning crowd has left.
The Vibe: A sprawling open-air restaurant with wooden tables set under a canopy of tamarind trees. Chickens wander between the tables. The kitchen is visible from the dining area, and you can watch the staff pounding spices and wrapping banana-leaf parcels. It is the furthest thing from a polished city tea lounge, and that is exactly its appeal.
Insider Detail: The restaurant was originally built in the early 2000s to feed workers who were restoring the Banteay Srei temple. When the restoration ended, the family decided to keep it open. Some of the original workers still eat here on weekends.
Local Tip: The road from central Siem Reap to Banteay Srei is about 30 kilometers and takes roughly 45 minutes by tuk-tuk. Negotiate a round-trip price before you leave, and ask the driver to wait. Finding a return ride from the temple area can be difficult after 3:00 PM.
8. Mahob Restaurant on National Road 63
What to Order: The lotus seed tea, a specialty that is difficult to find anywhere else in Siem Reap. The seeds are dried in-house and brewed into a pale, slightly sweet infusion that is traditionally believed to calm the mind. It is served in a small pot alongside a plate of fresh lotus petals, which are edible.
Best Time: Late morning, around 10:30 AM, when the restaurant's garden is shaded and the temperature is still bearable.
The Vibe: A family-run restaurant set in a traditional wooden house surrounded by a garden of lotus ponds. The dining area is open-sided, with views of the water and the surrounding rice fields. It feels rural despite being only about 15 minutes from the city center. The family has lived on this land for three generations.
Insider Detail: The lotus ponds are not decorative. The family harvests lotus seeds, petals, and stems for both the restaurant and for sale at the local market. If you visit during the lotus season, roughly May through August, you can see the harvesting process in the early morning.
One Complaint: The restaurant is popular with tour groups on certain weekdays, particularly Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call ahead or check their Facebook page to avoid showing up during a large booking.
When to Go and What to Know
Siem Reap's tea culture does not follow the same rhythm as its coffee scene. Most tea houses open between 7:00 and 8:00 AM and close between 8:00 and 10:00 PM. A few of the smaller family-run spots close for a midday break between 1:00 and 2:00 PM, which is worth keeping in mind if you are planning an afternoon visit.
The dry season, November through March, is the most comfortable time to explore tea houses with outdoor seating. During the rainy season, May through October, the humidity can make open-air spaces less pleasant in the afternoon, though the rain itself often brings a welcome coolness.
Tipping is not traditionally expected at Khmer tea houses, but rounding up the bill or leaving 1,000 to 2,000 riel (roughly 25 to 50 US cents) is appreciated, especially at family-run spots. At the more Western-oriented venues, a 10 percent tip is standard.
Most tea houses accept cash in US dollars, which is the de facto second currency in Siem Reap. Some of the newer, more design-focused places accept credit cards or ABA mobile payment, but do not count on it. Carry small bills. Breaking a 100-dollar note at a small tea shop is a universal headache.
If you are planning to work from a tea house for an extended period, buy something every hour or so. The owners notice, and it keeps the relationship healthy. This is not a written rule, but it is understood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most reliable neighborhood in Siem Reap for digital nomads and remote workers?
The Wat Bo Road and Old Market (Psar Chas) areas have the highest concentration of cafes and tea houses with reliable Wi-Fi, typically ranging from 15 to 40 Mbps download speeds. The French Quarter north of the Old Market also has several strong options. Most venues in these areas have backup generators or battery backups for the frequent short power outages that occur during the rainy season.
How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Siem Reap?
Vegetarian and vegan options are widely available, particularly in the Old Market area and along Wat Bo Road. Many Khmer tea houses serve plant-based snacks like fresh fruit plates, sticky rice cakes, and vegetable num ansom as standard menu items. Dedicated vegan restaurants number at least fifteen within the city center, and most tea lounges can accommodate dietary requests with advance notice.
Are there good 24/7 or late-night co-working spaces available in Siem Reap?
True 24-hour co-working spaces are rare. Most tea houses and cafes close between 9:00 and 10:00 PM. A small number of hotels and hostels along Sivutha Boulevard and the riverside area offer lobby workspaces accessible to non-guests until around midnight. For late-night work, the most reliable option is a private room with a portable Wi-Fi router, which can be rented for approximately 5 to 10 US dollars per day from several shops near the Old Market.
What are the average internet download and upload speeds in Siem Reap's central cafes and workspaces?
Download speeds at central Siem Reap cafes and tea houses typically range from 15 to 50 Mbps on fiber connections, with upload speeds between 5 and 20 Mbps. Dedicated co-working spaces in the city center advertise speeds of up to 100 Mbps download. Mobile data via Cellcard or Smart Axiata 4G networks averages 10 to 25 Mbps download in central areas, which serves as a viable backup.
How easy is it to find cafes with ample charging sockets and reliable power backups in Siem Reap?
Most tea houses and cafes in the Old Market, French Quarter, and Wat Bo Road areas have at least four to six accessible charging sockets per room. Power outages occur several times per month during the rainy season, and the majority of established venues in these neighborhoods have either backup generators or inverter battery systems that restore power within 30 to 60 seconds. It is still advisable to carry a portable power bank for visits to smaller or more rural venues outside the center.
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