Phnom Penh International Airport

Phnom Penh International Airport won't win any awards for culinary ambition, but it does a respectable job of giving departing travelers one last taste of Cambodia before they board. The main terminal's airside dining area clusters around a handful of outlets near the departure gates, where you'll find a mix of local and international options. Sky Garden Restaurant is the standout, serving reliable Khmer dishes like amok trei — a fragrant coconut fish curry steamed in banana leaves — alongside fried rice and noodle soups that feel genuinely homemade rather than airport-bland.

For a lighter bite or a coffee fix, the small café counters dotted between the gates stock Cambodian drip coffee, which is thick, sweet, and absolutely worth trying if you haven't already discovered it in the city. A few outlets also carry baguette sandwiches — a charming colonial-era legacy that Phnom Penh wears proudly — stuffed with pork pâté, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs. These make for an inexpensive, satisfying snack while you wait, and they're far more interesting than the packaged options from the convenience kiosks nearby.

One practical note: the dining options here are modest in number, so if you're on an early morning or late-night departure, don't assume everything will be open. The airport sees bursts of activity around peak flight times, and some vendors only set up for those windows. It's always worth grabbing a meal in the city if you have time — a bowl of kuy teav, the beloved Cambodian pork and noodle soup, from a riverside stall will beat anything airside. But if you're pressed for time, the terminal does give you at least a genuine, if gentle, send-off from Cambodian cuisine.