AsiaLIFE

Lis Meyers uncovers hidden gems of Phnom Penh and the best places you didn’t know about.

Tucked away on an obscure street just a few minutes from the Russian Market, the charming and cosy Café Nature is a great find! AsiaLIFE never would have guessed such a place could be hidden so well. A great bargain bucket, prices are low and affordable. Food is quite good, with a wide range of dishes from Korean snacks to breakfasts. If the restaurant was not enough of a find, Café Nature also features a tiny boutique.

Checked pink tablecloths and mix ‘n’ match furniture create the kind of atmosphere your grandmother would adore. Flowing sheets of organza are draped over windows and doorways. Waiters greet you with a warm welcome, adding a personal touch to the experience. True to its name, Café Nature has a distinctively floral theme. The building has been painted an earthy green colour and potted plants line the stairway up to the café. Bright blossoms have been painted on many of the café’s walls and small plants are sprinkled throughout the dining room. Placemats feature pressed flowers and cloth coasters have leaves painted on them. Even the bathroom retains this sense of flora.

The menu keeps things sweet and simple, with nothing too complicated and a nice selection of items to choose from. Chicken wings (US$4.50) are smothered in a messy hot sauce with just a slightly sweet touch. Chopped peanuts are sprinkled on top of the sauce, adding an interesting texture to a normally pretty standard dish. A decent sized hamburger (US$3.50) comes with all the trimmings and a side of fries and salad. The burger is thick and tasty, a real steal at this price!

Korean rice cakes with hot sauce (US$4.50) are one of the more interesting dishes on the menu. The rice cakes have a chewy pasta-like texture and are bathed in a red-hot sauce. You had best like your food with spice before ordering this. Korean food fans are sure to enjoy the sweet cinnamon punch (US$2), traditionally served with dessert. Thick pancakes with chocolate and banana (US$1.50) were shamefully good, perfect for breakfast, dessert, or mid-afternoon snack (or anytime). Café Nature also has an impressive cocktail list (US$2.50 to US$4).

A separate room next to the café has been converted into a quant boutique selling a range of adorable items. With funky earrings (US$4 to US$7), cheerful baby jumpers (US$5), and even a pair of tight blue stretch pants with silver stars (US$10), it is definitely worth a browse. While the café can be a bit tricky to find, it is well worth the effort and the perfect place to stop before or after a trip to the market. Café Nature is a darling place, with good food and low prices in a setting that will be sure to leave you smiling.

Café Nature, 14 Street 123 (Off Street 432), Tel: 012 936 451. 9am to 8.30pm, closed Sundays