Old Durbar Hotel & Restaurant

I ordered mutton biriyani and a banana milkshake through room service from the rooftop restaurant, and both were better than I expected. The biriyani was aromatic, with tender, tasty mutton and rice seasoned just right. It was comforting and balanced, the kind of meal you remember when it's gone. The milkshake was thick, smooth, and refreshing, a simple classic done well. The staff were warm, professional, and attentive, and the food arrived promptly and was presented with care. Whether you eat on the relaxing rooftop or order in, it's a peaceful setting with great food and service. Worth a visit if you're staying here or nearby.

I haven't stayed at the hotel, so I can't speak to the rooms, but Old Durbar Indian restaurant was incredible. We had Matter paneer with chilli and garlic naan, plus the Vegetarian Thali. Both were full of flavour and perfectly spiced. Honestly, one of the best meals I've had on my travels so far. Everything was super clean, the staff were so friendly, and the rooftop view is a great bonus. I'll probably be back in the next few days!

We chose this place for our first night in Phnom Penh expecting authentic Indian food, but it was probably the most disappointing Indian meal I've had. The waiters were polite and it wasn't expensive, and perhaps we caught them at a bad time, since other reviews seem mostly positive. Still, the menu might as well not have existed for us. Draft beer wasn't available despite being listed, only cans or Angkor in a bottle. I pointed to chicken kadai on the menu and said what we wanted, then checked that the waiter had written it down correctly. I was already unsure when he came back to confirm we wanted two chicken curries, so I repeated two chicken kadai. A few minutes later, one chicken dish came with rice and naan. When I asked about the second kadai, the waiter disappeared, so we shared what we had. It wasn't kadai, just a basic, watery curry with five small pieces of chicken, tasting like something from a jar at home. A second identical dish arrived a few minutes later. The steamed rice was okay, but the naan was flat and rubbery. By then it was late and I felt we were fighting a losing battle, so we ate what we had.

That rooftop balcony is such a cozy, pretty place to sit, and the staff were really kind. I also had one of the best veggie burgers I’ve tried in years. Definitely worth stopping by in Phnom Penh :)