Restaurant Cuisine Wat Damnak – Siem Reap is a Cambodian fine-dining restaurant on Wat Damnak Market Street, Wat Damnak village, Krong Siem Reap 93108, on the eastern side of the Siem Reap River. Opened in 2011 by French chef Joannès Rivière and his partner Carole Colle, it combines Cambodian ingredients and food traditions with French culinary technique. Travelers come for seasonal tasting menus that look beyond familiar restaurant staples, drawing on freshwater fisheries, village gardens, coastal seafood, and regional produce.
What to Expect at Restaurant Cuisine Wat Damnak – Siem Reap
The kitchen’s defining feature is its Cambodian sourcing rather than a permanently available signature dish. Fish comes from the Tonle Sap Lake and Mekong River; seafood comes from Koh Kong, spelled Koh Khong on the restaurant’s website. Mondulkiri’s cooler highlands supply ingredients including strawberries and sweet onions. Menus change frequently, so approach dinner as a sequence of seasonal discoveries rather than an opportunity to order a particular dish. French technique shapes the preparation without replacing the Cambodian identity of the ingredients.
The restaurant occupies a traditional Cambodian wooden house with garden surroundings, giving dinner a more domestic scale than a large hotel restaurant. Rivière’s interest in growing and sourcing food began at his family’s restaurant near Roanne, France; he first came to Cambodia in 2003. His cooking draws inspiration from meals built around garden herbs, vegetables, fish, and game. Discuss vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy requirements before booking: a changing tasting menu requires more advance coordination than an à-la-carte kitchen. Ask about current wine and other drink choices when reviewing the evening’s menu.
- Seasonal tasting menus: Frequently changing courses reflect Cambodian harvests rather than a fixed international repertoire.
- Freshwater ingredients: Tonle Sap and Mekong fish connect dinner to Cambodia’s major aquatic food systems.
- Regional sourcing: Coastal seafood and Mondulkiri produce extend the menu beyond Siem Reap’s immediate surroundings.
- Wooden-house setting: Traditional architecture and garden surroundings create an intimate evening atmosphere.
- Chef-led Cambodian cooking: Joannès Rivière applies French technique to local flavors and food traditions.
Restaurant Cuisine Wat Damnak – Siem Reap at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Wat Damnak Market Street, Wat Damnak village, Krong Siem Reap 93108, Cambodia |
| Neighborhood / Area | Wat Damnak, east of the Siem Reap River |
| Operating Hours | Monday closed; Tuesday–Sunday, 6:30–11 p.m. |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$; paid tasting-menu dining. Check current menu prices before reserving. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 2 to 3 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Tuk-tuk or taxi to Wat Damnak Market Street; arrange vehicle drop-off and parking with the restaurant. |
| Official Website & Phone | Cuisine Wat Damnak; +855 77 347 762 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve ahead, particularly during Siem Reap’s November-to-February travel season, and choose an early seating if you want an unhurried dinner after temple sightseeing. The official website provides access to restaurant information and reservations. There is no metro or useful scheduled city-bus connection to the door; a tuk-tuk is the straightforward option from most central hotels. Save the map pin because the lane address is less useful to drivers than the restaurant name. Arrange pickup rather than assuming dedicated customer parking.
The traditional-house layout deserves advance discussion for wheelchair users: raised wooden-house dining areas involve steps, so request a step-free seating arrangement and confirm toilet access directly. Do not assume an upstairs table is accessible. For a short neighborhood outing, Wat Damnak pagoda is roughly five minutes away on foot, while the Made in Cambodia Market and the Old Market area across the river are approximately 5–15 minutes away. Visit these before dinner; uneven pavements and traffic make a relaxed daylight walk easier than a late-night circuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours and best arrival time?
The restaurant opens Tuesday through Sunday from 6:30 to 11 p.m. and closes Monday. Book near opening for a leisurely meal, and reconfirm service dates when reserving around holidays.
How much does dinner cost, and should I reserve?
Expect a $$$ tasting-menu experience; consult the restaurant for current course prices and drinks costs. Advance reservations are advisable, and payment is accepted in US-dollar or Khmer-riel cash, Visa, or Mastercard.
How long should I allow for dinner?
Budget two to three hours for the tasting-menu experience. Avoid scheduling a tightly timed performance or airport transfer immediately afterward, since successive courses are the focus of the evening.
Can children dine here, and what should I wear?
Guests must be aged 12 or older; children under 12 are not admitted. Smart-casual clothing suits the setting, and anyone needing step-free access should discuss the traditional-house layout before reserving.
When planning your Angkor Wat travel guide or browsing verified cambodian restaurant in Angkor Wat, pair this stop with standout local spots including The Grill Lounge, Templation, Nita by Vo Luxury Hotel, and JOMNO – Modern Khmer Cuisine (nearby).
