Experience Cambodia’s blossoming specialty-coffee scene at these three noteworthy spots: Kinyei Café, K’Trey K’Trok, and The Lab.
BY MICHAELA TOMCHEK
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Photos by Michaela Tomchek
Awe-inspiring temples, incredible food, and sprawling landscapes filled with vast, grassy plains: Cambodia is truly a wondrous place, filled with so much culture and history. Battambang is the third-largest city in the Southeast Asian country, located about three hours away from Siem Reap, home to the iconic Angkor Wat temple. Here, you’ll also find a number of one-of-a-kind cafés: a reflection of the area’s blossoming specialty coffee scene.
Today, we’re sharing our three favorite coffee shops in Battambang, Cambodia: Kinyei Café, K’Trey K’Trok, and The Lab. Read on to learn more about these must-try spots.
Kinyei Café / Feel Good Coffee
In the heart of Battambang near the Battambang Central Market, you’ll stumble upon Kinyei Café. The interior of the coffee shop is an incredible, open space, with two expansive floors serving not only coffee, but also a variety of breakfast dishes and other treats. The café also houses a collection of art by local creators, making it a space for both Cambodian coffee and artwork to truly shine.
The coffee here is roasted by Feel Good Coffee, a roastery based in Cambodia’s bustling capital city, Phnom Penh. Operating since 2013, Feel Good was one of the first roasteries to begin promoting specialty coffee in Cambodia.
When asked about the specialty-coffee scene in Battambang, Sophorn Phan, manager of Feel Good Coffee, shares that, while there’s still ample room for the scene to grow, it has definitely seen a positive shift over the past several years. “(There’s) not much coffee community in Battambang, but (over) the last three years, the coffee industry has been improving,” Sophorn says. “We see the potential of Southeast Asia’s coffee.”
Feel Good sources coffee exclusively from Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and, of course, Cambodia. Thanks to their efforts, they’ve helped bring awareness to specialty coffee in Cambodia and have inspired many others to open their own roasteries and coffee shops.
Apart from collaborating with Feel Good Coffee, Kinyei is also home to a number of Cambodia National Barista Championship competitors. Stop by to enjoy some delicious food, Southeast Asian-grown coffee, and local artwork before heading out into the city.
K’Trey K’Trok
Right next door to Kinyei, you’ll find K’Trey K’Trok—why not stop by for a second coffee? A visit to K’trey K’Trok is truly a local experience: an example of the shops that paved the way for the Cambodian specialty-coffee scene. With its cozy, rustic interiors, wide selection of specialty-coffee drinks, smoothies, juices, and even a space for live music, this shop offers a little something for everyone.
The café, which first opened in December of 2021, is made up of two floors and has an extensive food menu, including flavorful noodle and rice dishes to go with your beverage of choice. They also offer cocktails in the evening, making it the perfect place for either a morning brew or a night cap.
Pay a visit to K’Trey K’Trok to relax, drink something refreshing, and experience some of the best that Battambang has to offer.
The Lab
When wandering along the Sangkae River, nibbling on local sweets or perhaps some corn on the cob, there’s a great place to stop for a coffee after a morning of exploring or taking the local bamboo train: The Lab.
From the street, you can see a line of motorbikes guarding the shop’s front entrance, revealing the popularity of what’s inside. Upon entering the front doors, you’ll find a set of stairs that will lead you to the café: a peaceful, warmly lit retreat surrounded by a cave of colorful paintings.
With its airy balcony, beautifully tiled floors, and array of antiques from the 1940s, including a vintage record player, The Lab feels like a portal through time—a glimpse into the heart of Cambodia. On the menu are standard espresso-based options as well as matcha beverages, and there’s also an assortment of tasty pastries to choose from, making this an ideal space to grab a snack, enjoy a coffee, and sit outside as you watch the traffic below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michaela Tomchek finds coffee an important part of life and the world. She is an appreciator of the crop, the producer, and the many cafés throughout the world serving beautiful beverages. Currently, she writes about coffee, hoping to spread her joy across the globe.
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