The Cambodia Coastal Visitors Guide 52nd

kep dining

61

Kep is known for its fresh seafood, espe- cially the crab - liter-

dining & drinking

ally straight from the ocean to your plate. No visit is complete without at least one oceanside seafood meal. Kampot Pepper Crab is a local classic - fresh crab fried with Kampot pepper, some of the finest pepper in the world. This is a world-class local specialty. The oceanfront crabshacks of the Crab Market offer a local atmosphere and a wonderfully unsophisticated dining expe- rience. Generally speaking, the spiffier places are easier, more consistent and have extras like a full bar and cocktails,

The Crab Market

but the mom-&-pop places offer a more authentic, down-home, if uneven dining experience. Just as popular, picnic gazebos line the road near the beach intersection and in the ocean- side park. Just find an empty platform, sit down and they will bring the menu to you. There is also growing number of places serving foreign fare. A few are clustered at the Kep Beach intersection including a couple of Italian places ( Italian Corner ) and a French bakery ( L’Epi D’Or ), and another baker and a couple of guesthouse places behind the Kep Market. Drinking... For sundowners, the place to be is either at a hillside hotel restaurant like Veranda , at the oceanside Sailing Club , or at one of the Crab Market bars, all offering sunset views and full bars. Late evening most of Kep closes down. A couple places at the Crab Market stay open until at least 11PM), with La Baraka often the last to close. The Italian Corner at the beach serves late if there are customers. In the town and the Fisher Village area, the backpacker places are also consistently open quite late.

Restaurants & Bars... Brise De Kep

Pleasant oceanfront balcony restaurant at Kep Beach. Good view and ocean breeze. Offering a good selection of nicely done, reasonably priced French and Asian fare with the emphasis on seafood. Good breakfasts includ- ing the best Pho in town . 6AM-midnight.

Tel: 097-6298797 Beachside Tacos

Kep’s first Mexican restaurant, also offering a good selection of Cambodian dishes. Tacos, burritos, and 5 different salsas as well as smoothies and seasonal fruit, at very reasonable prices. (Mex food for $3-$5, Cambodian dishes for under $2.50.) European and Cambodian breakfasts. Free WiFi. Open 7AM-11PM. Happy hour 4PM-7PM with $0.50 draft. Kep Beach next to the bus station. Tel: 086-621727 The Crab Kitchen Classic Crab Market seafood restaurant - a long wooden shack hovering over the ocean’s edge with a big selection of fresh seafood dishes. Friendly people, local ambiance. Full bar, cocktails and a 4PM-8PM happy hour. Tel: 016-789994 Italian Corner Comfortable little Italian/Cambodian place at the Beach intersection. Pizzas, pastas, a few mains, regional choices, even some fast foods. Full bar, sometimes open late, one of the last places to close for the night. Tel: 012-953427, 097-6772078

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