Riverside Bistro
The Riverside Bistro occupies an open-sided position on the east bank of the Siem Reap River, offering direct water views from most tables. The venue is structured for daytime and early-evening use rather than late nights, with a kitchen that produces reliable cafe-style food and a bar that runs consistently through the afternoon and into the evening. The setting is the primary draw: a covered terrace with open sides facing the river, ceiling fans managing the heat, and a view that includes the riverbank gardens on the western side. The food covers a straightforward international menu with some Khmer options. Drinks are priced at the lower end of the Wat Bo range, which partly explains the steady afternoon traffic from travelers walking the riverbank. The mosquito situation becomes relevant at dusk, which is when most visitors migrate to enclosed venues; the Riverside Bistro's peak hours are afternoon through early evening rather than late night. A handful of regulars use it as a working location during the day, taking advantage of reliable Wi-Fi and the relatively stable ambient noise.
Where to stay near Riverside Bistro
Hotels close to Wat Bo Area, Siem Reap.
What to Expect
Open-sided riverside terrace with ceiling fans. Quieter and more relaxed than the road-facing venues. Cafe and bistro atmosphere rather than bar atmosphere. Service is slower, pace is deliberate.
Calm riverside. Best in the mid-afternoon when light comes across the water and foot traffic on the bank is at its quietest.
Background acoustic or ambient music at low volume throughout the day and evening.
Completely casual. Riverside bistro standards.
Afternoon drink or coffee, people walking the riverbank, remote workers, travelers who want a riverside view without paying FCC Angkor prices
USD cash preferred, some cards accepted
Price Range
Mains $4-9, cocktails $3-5, beer $1.50-2.50, coffee $2-3.50
Mains ~3.60-8.10 EUR, cocktails ~2.70-4.50 EUR, beer ~1.35-2.25 EUR
Hours
08:00-21:30 daily
Insider Tip
Come for afternoon drinks rather than late evening; the mosquito density after sunset makes the open-sided terrace less comfortable. The early morning coffee on the riverside is one of the better starts to a day in Siem Reap. Wi-Fi is available and reasonably fast, making this a practical work location.
Full Review
The Riverside Bistro sits in a specific niche: it's the affordable river-view option in a stretch of Siem Reap where the premium versions charge accordingly for the position.
The terrace is open on three sides, which means you're effectively sitting outdoors with roof cover. The river view is unobstructed from most tables. On afternoons when the light comes across the water from the west, it's one of the more pleasant places to sit in central Siem Reap. The ceiling fans keep air moving through the space during the dry season. The wet season presents the obvious challenges: humidity is high and occasional blowing rain reaches the front tables, though the covered sections remain dry.
The food program is cafe-style and covers the basics well. Breakfasts are reliable. The lighter lunch options, salads and sandwiches, are better than the heavier mains. Khmer options are available but don't represent the kitchen's strength. Coffee is a genuine asset: they use beans from Cambodian highland producers and the espresso equipment is maintained properly.
The bar is simple and functional. Draft beer is cold and correctly priced. Cocktails are standard options without particular ambition, but competently made. The afternoon wine service, cheese and wine plates from about 15:00 onward, attracts a small regular crowd that treats it as a local habit.
The practical limitation is the post-sunset insect situation. The open-sided design that makes the afternoon so pleasant becomes a liability after dusk when the riverside mosquito population activates. Coils help but don't fully compensate. Most guests migrate inside or to enclosed venues by 19:30.
For remote workers, the combination of river view, reliable Wi-Fi, and table tolerance for extended stays makes this one of the better working locations in the Wat Bo area.
The Neighborhood
The Riverside Bistro sits on the east bank of the Siem Reap River, south of the central bridge. Soria Moria is north along the same bank. The Wat Bo Road commercial strip is inland and east. Walking to Pub Street crosses the river bridge and takes about 15 minutes.
Getting There
Follow the east riverbank south from the central bridge. The bistro is visible from the bank path. From Old Market, crossing the bridge and turning south takes about 5-7 minutes on foot. Tuk-tuk from Pub Street runs $2-3.
Address
East River Bank, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Other Venues in Wat Bo Area
Marum Restaurant
NGO-affiliated training restaurant operated by Tree Alliance, employing disadvantaged youth in professional hospitality. Excellent Khmer food, a proper cocktail list, and outdoor seating in a converted villa garden. The bar runs well past dinner service.
Embassy Restaurant and Bar
Mid-range restaurant and bar in a colonial-style building with a terrace facing the street. Attracts expats and longer-stay visitors for its consistent food and calm atmosphere. The bar menu is wider than the restaurant suggests.
Tropical Garden Boutique Hotel Bar
Open-air garden bar attached to the Tropical Garden property. Guests and walk-ins mix on rattan furniture under mature trees. Quieter than most of Siem Reap's tourist venues, and the cheapest draft in the area.
Soria Moria Bistro
Scandinavian-owned bistro on the east bank with a riverside terrace, regular live acoustic sets, and an international food and drinks menu. Popular with long-stay travelers and NGO workers who treat it as a neighborhood local.
The Elephant Bar
Street-front bar with a front patio visible from Wat Bo Road. Cold beer, a short cocktail menu, and regular sports on satellite TV. Draws a mixed crowd of guesthouse guests and expats.