Jaan Bai Restaurant — Restaurant in Battambang

This restaurant is open throughout the day whereas many others close after lunch, and seeing as we'd missed breakfast and lunch, we chose to go here at about 3.30pm on a Wednesday afternoon.

There was no-one else there and we took a seat outside.  After a little while, without attention, I went inside and they were all seated at table chatting   I asked for 2 two draft beers and this prompted them to provide us with menus. I had to ask again for the beers.

The beers came a little later after we'd been given a menu each.  We, my husband and I, thought the draft beer tasted somewhat of a chemical cleaner and I found the taste very unpleasant and opted for a white wine.  The wine was lovely and a good measure too.  My husband ordered a bottle of beer instead but still drank the drafts too whilst continuing to remark.on the strange taste!

A member of the waiting staff brought us a glass of iced water each, which was very welcome.

We ordered eggplant dumplings, a green chicken curry, and the coconut braised beef.

The dumplings were nice but the pasta was undercooked and in some parts they were cold.  I suspect they'd been steamed but just not enough.  Some edges of the pasta were raw and inedible.  The accompanying sauce was nice.

The braised beef was absolutely delicious.  It was soft and succulent and is probably the best beef dish I've eaten in Cambodia.

The curry and beef came with a bowl of brown rice amd a bowl of white.  We both enjoyed the brown.

Attention was poor overall.  It would have been nice if they'd bothered to ask us if we were happy with our food; or whether we'd like dessert, or if we needed more drinks.  They never did.  And each time we wanted something we had to go inside, where they were all sat around a table chatting, and ask, e.g., another drink, the bill, etc.  It wasn't as if they were rushed off their feet and so this lack of attention didn't make us feel very welcome.

I admire the work of the restaurant helping people out of poverty - it's a great initiative and one I support despite the much higher price compared to other restaurants in the area; however, I think the young staff need more supervision and further training to make this restaurant worthy of a second visit from me.

A member of staff did try to engage in small talk when he brought the bill.  It felt a bit unnatural. The bill came to USD $30.

I think maybe diners would have a better experience and enjoy the ambience better in the evening when, perhaps, the young staff were better supervised by management.

I wanted to like this restaurant but because of the lacklustre service, zero welcome, uncooked pasta and chemical tasting beer, I felt it was lacking in too many areas for me to give it a 4 or 5 star, which is a great shame because the beef was...

This place feels overpriced, especially for locals. The portions are small for what you pay, and the food seems more like a Thai fusion than authentic Cambodian. If you're craving real local flavors, there are way better options at the local stalls or Khmer restaurants. For example, a soda here costs around $1.75, but you can grab one for just 50 cents across the street — that’s a pretty big difference.

My food tasted fine, but honestly, it felt like just another “meh” fusion restaurant you’d find back home in the States — trying to mix things up but not really nailing either cuisine. It’s okay if you're just looking for something familiar, but if you're in Cambodia, you should definitely check out the local spots for a more authentic experience.

Honestly, you're better off heading to White Rose just a block away. You get double the portion for the same price, and the food’s much better. It’s frustrating when you’re paying more for food that doesn’t really live up to the price or the experience.

What really bugged me, though, was the staff. After my aunt made a reasonable request, we saw them making faces behind the counter. Not exactly the kind of service you want. It didn’t feel very welcoming or professional.

And then, while we were there, I saw a tour guide bringing in a big group of Europeans, clearly asking for a kickback. The group ended up leaving, which kind of says it all — it’s not great when a place has to pay people to bring in customers, and it's even worse when they’re taking tourists to one of the most expensive spots around. Not a good look.

Overall, this isn’t a place I’d come back to. There are so many better places nearby where you’ll get more food, better service, and a more authentic experience. Enjoy the city, the culture, and definitely the local...

Jaan Bai Restaurant, Battambang - A Meaningful Meal with Incredible Flavour

We had a truly memorable dinner at Jaan Bai Restaurant in Battambang last night as a visiting family of five. From the moment we arrived, we felt not just welcomed, but connected to something bigger than a typical dining experience.

What makes Jaan Bai unique is its purpose, 51% of profits go to an organisation supporting the transition of children out of orphanages and into better, more fulfilling lives here in Cambodia. It’s more than just a meal, it’s a movement.

The food itself was exceptional. We sampled a variety of local dishes, with standouts including the Curry Chicken and Butterfly Flower Steamed Chicken, both bursting with flavour and beautifully presented. For dessert, we shared three incredible sweet dishes: a rich flower chocolate cake, a light and fluffy coconut cake, and a refreshing coconut sorbet. All were fantastic (see photos below!).

The service was friendly and warm, and the vibe relaxed yet thoughtful. The final bill was $50 for the five of us, more than fair for the quality of food, service, and the cause behind it all.

If you’re in Battambang and want to enjoy delicious food while supporting a good cause, Jaan Bai is...