The Cambodia Coastal Visitors Guide 52nd

koh kong

69

Thmorda Crab House Unique river restaurant and bar in a quiet natural setting on the west side of the river from Koh Kong City. Stylish riverside bar with cocktail menu, wine and cold local and imported, and dining on covered wooden platforms (‘tiki huts’) hovering over the river’s edge, offering a lovely view and a nice breeze. Thmorda specialize in seafood but a wide variety of Thai and Cambodian dishes. Excellent place for a romantic dinner, family outing or busi- ness lunch. Koh Kong has a fair choice of accommodations includ- ing several very reasonably priced guesthouses, a few popular mid-range places along the riverfront and one upmarket hotel/casino near the border. Offering a very unique Koh Kong eco-experience a few ‘eco-accommodations’ have located on and along the Tai Tai River in the Cardamom Mountains 20-30 kilo- meters outside of town, including the 4 Rivers Floating Lodge and the Rainbow Lodge . The area is thickly jun- gled, largely unspoiled and very tranquil, still undiscov- ered by the crowds. Range: $139 Amazing floating lodge on Koh Andet Island, downstream the Tatai River in the Cardamom Mountains. Unique tented floating villas with all ameni- ties in the midst of lush, spectacular jungle mountain scenery. Large Tents with DVD, hot water and Wi-Fi. Gourmet restaurant/bar. Visa/MC Tel: 097-6434032, 035-6900650 99 Guesthouse $8 - $15 Budget-friendly downtown hotel with clean, smart, basic rooms with either fan or a/c. Cable TV, desk, en suite bathroom with hot water and free WiFi in-room. Parking. Tel: 060-660999 (EN), 016-203666 (FR) $8 - $25 Fan and a/c rooms with CTV, DVD, mini-bar and en suite with hot water. Pool. Restaurant serving Khmer, Thai and western food. Laundry, travel/tour ser- vices. Island trips and trekking. Located on Street 8. Tel: 016-307919 www.apexkohkong.com Hotels & Guesthouses... 4 Rivers Floating Lodge www.99guesthouse.net Apex Koh Kong Hotel hotels

dining & drinking

The city is small with a couple of dozen restaurants in all, most quite local and with the emphasis on seafood. Being so close to the border, the Thai food is also par- ticularly good in Koh Kong. The ideal place for a Koh Kong lunch or dinner is at a riverfront eatery like Cafe Laurent or Thmorda Crab House for local seafood and drinks. Both places are popular with locals as well as tourists and business travelers from both East and West. For western food, Fat Sam’s in the center of town has some of the best, and Cafe Laurent offers the nicest setting. And for an affordable Thai meal, the Baan Peakmei in the Asian Hotel has been a favorite with visitors for years, and has an English language menu. Nightlife options, like dining in Koh Kong, is a bit lim- ited, but there are still a few choices. For sundown- ers, Bay Cafe and Cafe Laurent on the river road, and Thmorda across the river have the best bars in town as well as great riverside views. Fat Sam ’s also has a complete bar, reasonable prices and is popular with expats and visitors. If you are looking to stay out late, Cafe Laurent is open until 11PM, which is later than most. Tiny cafes and tables catering to the locals dot the riverfront road and serve beer until last customer. There is also a little bar outside the Apex Guesthouse where westerners sometimes hang out late night. Long-running, popular, well-reviewed local restaurant know for its very good, reasonably priced Thai food. Also serving Cambodian dishes. Located for years on the main road in town, now located in the Asian Hotel on the river road. The steamed fish in lemon is recom- mended. Fat Sam’s Well-known, western run restaurant and bar, popular with both visitors and expats. Good food, both western and local, at reasonable prices. Good western break- fasts. Always generous portions. Full bar serving inex- pensive draft, cold beer, cocktails, spirits. Good travel advice and reasonably priced local tours, trekking, island trips and motorcycle rental. Just off the round- about in the center of town. Koh Kong Resort Casino-hotel complex. Full casino. Several dining venues, with the focus on seafood, Thai, Chinese and international. Serving some of the best Thai food in Koh Kong. Restaurants & Bars... The Bay Café/Restaurant Dining at the riverside with a sunset view. Mediterranean cuisine and seafood and also serving Spanish, French, Cambodian dishes and pizza. Wine selection, cocktail menu. Free WiFi. Open 7:00AM-11:00PM. Tel: 077-555590 Baan Peakmei

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