The Riverside Phnom Penh refers to the main promenade that runs from the Chaktomuk Conference Hall (in front of the Royal Palace) all the way up along the riverside to the night market (Phsar Reatrey). Officially called Preah Sisowath Quay Phnom Penh, and known by several other names locally such as Sisowath Riverside Park, Riverside Path and most recently Walking Street Phnom Penh due to the planned pedestrianization of Preah Sisowath Quay in the evenings.
Phnom Penh Riverside Park
Preah Sisowath Quay, or Riverside Phnom Penh, is the perfect place to enjoy an evening stroll, grab a refreshing drink at a riverside pub, or dine in one of the many riverside restaurants! Pubs, sky bars, restaurants and hotels line the road adjacent to the river, and local street vendors set up their stalls in the evenings on the promenade along the Preah Sisowath Quay selling everything from fried insects to ice-cold beer!
Things to do Riverside Phnom Penh
For international tourists a trip to the capital would not be complete without visiting the Riverside Phnom Penh! For locals and expats, the Riverside Phnom Penh is a popular place to exercise, enjoy a night out or to simply relax and unwind after a long day at the office. As mentioned above, Phnom Penh Riverside is a pedestrian zone on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6pm – 11pm. The newly coined walking Street Phnom Penh is a whopping 57-hectare pedestrian zone aimed at providing a new and improved destination for entertainment, shopping and nightlife in Phnom Penh. Part of this plan is the much-anticipated Pub Street Phnom Penh which is set to be finished ahead of the 2026 international new year celebrations in the capital.
Riverside Phnom Penh Restaurants
Preah Sisowath Quay is lined with all different kinds of restaurants which cater for absolutely every style of food that you could possibly imagine. Some of the more well-known Riverside Phnom Penh restaurants include Le Moon Rooftop, a popular sky bar with fantastic views over Riverside Phnom Penh, and Metro Hassakan – formerly known as Cafe Metro. As you walk along Preah Sisowath Quay from the Royal Palace towards the riverside night market all the restaurants will be on your left – note that many of the Riverside Phnom Penh Restaurants with the best views will be located on the upper floors!
Sunset Cruise Riverside Phnom Penh
For the best views of the Riverside Phnom Penh, it is recommended to take a sunset cruise along the river! At the northern end of Preah Sisowath Quay (opposite the riverside night market) you will find countless boats operating sunset cruises. The Riverside Phnom Penh is set on the Tonle Sap River which flows from the Tonle Sap Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake located in Siem Reap. In the evenings boats cruise along Preah Sisowath Quay down the Tonle Sap River to where the Tonle Sap River meets the mighty Mekong River offering stunning views of the Royal Palace and Sisowath Riverside Park.
Popular Riverside Phnom Penh Hotels
Why not stay close to the action? There is no shortage of accommodation options on or very near the Riverside Phnom Penh. While the Riverside Phnom Penh is a popular tourist attraction itself, it is also central to several other tourist attractions in the city such as the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum of Cambodia, the Night Market (Phsar Reatrey), the Central Market (Phsar Thmey) and The Wild Rover Irish Pub to name just a few!
Popular hotels on the Riverside Phnom Penh include the Amanjaya Pancam Hotel, the Himawari Hotel Apartments and Hotel KVL, while other popular hotels just off the Riverside Phnom Penh include the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh and the Frangipani Royal Palace Hotel.
Is the Riverside Phnom Penh Safe?
Yes! Phnom Penh’s Preah Sisowath Quay, Riverside Park, is generally considered extremely safe due to the large numbers of people that visit the area along with the presence of tourist police. Bag snatching incidents, that are common place elsewhere in the capital, would be less common in busy areas like the Riverside Phnom Penh. However, just like any other city or town in the world it is best to keep your wits about you. It is not recommended to go for a walk along Preah Sisowath Quay or walk home alone from the Riverside late at night.
At certain times, such as the Water Festival and the International New Year, the Riverside Phnom Penh can get extremely busy, with thousands of local and international visitors coming to see the boat races, light displays and fireworks, so it is recommended to be extra vigilant.
Guinness, Stella, Whiskey, Wine & Food!
Phnom Penh is Hot! And a trip to the Riverside Phnom Penh is without-a-doubt going to be thirsty work! No trip to Preah Sisowath Quay Riverside Park would be complete without a refreshing drink in a riverside Pub. If you are looking for a traditional pub with air-conditioning, great prices and experienced staff we recommend visiting The Wild Rover.
With a collection of Imported beer (Guinness & Stella Artois), local beer (Angkor & Cambodia Beer), 18 different kinds of Irish Whiskey and a selection of wine and food, it’s probably the best pub in Phnom Penh riverside area, and you are sure to find something to satisfy your thirst!
