Phnom Penh’s many streets and alleys can be both awe-inspiring or overwhelming depending on who you are or what you’re looking for. For me, it’s definitely more of the former. I love walking along the riverside, looking on as boats float their way along Tonle sap, observing locals as they go about their day, and watching food vendors prepare local delicacies.
My favorite is Street 240, the perfect location for an eat-sleep-shop-chill vacation. A tree shaded avenue with a good collection of boutiques, bars, and eateries, the street has the famous Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda on one end, which is a must-visit if you’re planning a trip to this side of the world. My son’s school is also conveniently close so I always have an excuse to stop by for a nice cup of coffee at Eric Kayser. 
Where To Eat
Enso Cafè is one of the most gorgeous cafés in Phnom Penh, perfect for corporate lunches, family brunches, and big group meet-ups. It’s spacious, with such beautiful interior decor, well-lit, fresh, and colorful. On top of that, the staff is friendly and very nice with kids.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more quiet and intimate space, The Shop and The Chocolate Shop are great alternatives. The Shop has a selection of soups, quiches, pies, salads, sandwiches, and wraps. I’m a big fan of their giant macarons, especially raspberry and coffee. They’re prepared to perfection, and go down so well with coffee. The Chocolate Shop, as the name suggests, sells chocolate of all kinds. Here, you’ll find usual flavors like praline, hazelnut, coffee, caramel and almond; as well as uniquely Cambodian flavors like kampot pepper, mondulkiri honey, basil, lime, kampong speu sugar, and sesame. If you happen to find yourself in Phnom Penh next year for Valentine’s Day, remember to treat your loved one with a box of chocolates. I suggest not to wait until the last minute because they sell fast and a pack of Kinder Bueno is not bueno for the occasion.
Where To Shop
Lotus Silk has something for everyone. Be it a casual or formal dress that you’re looking for; or maybe a beautiful scarf made from pure Cambodian silk that you want to give to someone special; or a colorful kimono to go with that new dress that you bought but never got the perfect layer for.
I was lucky to meet Vannary, the lovely and passionate owner of this little haven. Vannary quit her 8-5 job to follow her passion. She started Lotus Silk on a mission to preserve traditional skills and knowledge while providing long-term sustainable incomes for Cambodians in urban and rural low-income communities. I bought myself a nice little something from Lotus Silk that I’ll share with you in the next post. So stay tuned! Lotus Silk also offers tailoring services. If you want anything custom-made for you, swing by their store and have a chat with Vannary, or drop her an email at vannary@lotus-silk.com or at vannarysan@gmail.com.
The Coleurs D’Asie logo consists of two colors, black and red, which is a color combination I absolutely go coco for. If it wasn’t for my husband, I would have our entire house in black and red. Okay. Maybe not entirely, but a good number of stuff would be in black and/or red. At Coleurs D’Asie, you’ll find gifts and trinkets for all tastes. They also produce custom made home textiles and decor, from curtains and blinds to table and bed linens. Aside from these, they also have lots of stylish clothes for both adults and children. Just the other day, I impulsively bought the cutest espadrilles for my little boy. Going to Coleurs D’Asie is like a treasure hunt. You’ll never know what you might find.
Where To Sleep
The White Mansion is a sophisticated colonial style boutique hotel that was a former residence of the US Ambassador. The hotel has 30 rooms. Elegant, clean, and very spacious, The White Mansion offers the perfect home away from home setting.
Phnom Penh has been home to us for the past two years and we love it here. There is always something new to discover. Cambodians are as charming as their own country. There is something magical about living here so much that those who have lived here, always find an excuse to visit again and again and no doubt we will be one of those people. But until then, we are taking it all in and definitely encourage you to add it on your travel bucket list.
Lora by Lora
LORA BY LORA 