Cambodians are a coffee loving people. Especially innercity, they can’t go without their coffees. The latest trend in Siem Reap is for small trendy coffee stands. Traditionally, in Cambodia, the word “coffee” meant the sweet one using Robusta beans (which are cultivated in Cambodia and neighboring areas), either with condensed milk or black with sugar. Cafes usually were stalls or like local eateries, or featured beach chairs and TVs. However, lately stylish coffee chains such as “Brown Coffee and Bakery”, “Gloria Jean’s” and “Starbucks” opened up shop in Siem Reap also.

Further, smaller trendy cafes like those we introduce in our Special features article in this issue have also sprung up around town – there’s no shortage of choice! In the last 2 years, small stylish coffee stands offering takeout coffee have grown in popularity. They offer Italianstyle coffee, like lattes and cappuccinos using genuine espresso machines. Prices are about $1.25, putting them in the middle of traditional coffees ($0.5~1) and larger cafes ($2~4). Affordable and tasty, the locals have taken to these new genuine coffees. Tired tour i s t s wi l l favor c hain c afes and t rendy independents, but these roadside stalls come in a close 2nd. Check out Siem Reap’s coffee scene!