New Hope Restaurant — Restaurant in Siem Reap

Definitely a must if in Siem Reap! We were served an AMAZING 3 course meal and got 6 different dishes to share between the 2 of us. We also got 2 shakes (coconut and mango) and 1 sour passion fruit mojito. The food was the best food we'd had in Cambodia! All for $12/person. (The meal was $8/person).

The aim of the restaurant is to teach unemployed and often uneducated Khmers cooking and hospitality skills. They are taught how to cook, clean, make cocktails, greet customers, safely prepare food, dish presentation, etc. All of this develops their confidence and increases their employment opportunities. When they finish the course, they are given a diploma and are then able to find jobs in hotels and restaurants in Siem Reap. They have trained over 300 people, most of which now work to support their families.

But there's more... ALL money generated from the restaurant goes directly to fund the New Hope Cambodia Education program. Education helps break the circle of poverty.  Most people cannot afford public school and a lot of children need to stay at home to care for their younger siblings. All students at the school face a crisis including lack of food, shelter, sanitary bathrooms, transportation, etc. New Hope school provides all 1000 students with breakfast, school materials, uniforms, bicycles, books and paper, English flash cards, and a clinic. Students have access to a nurse to get basic medical care as well as a psychologist. The members of the community may access the clinical services once a month for free.

After our meal, Anna volunteered to show us around the school grounds. The small restaurant is located between the library and small building where they teach computer courses to adults in the evening. All books in the library have been donated and children visit the library a minimum of once a week with their class to read. There is an elevated walkway to get to class that is covered by a roof for the rainy season. While walking around I noticed some Rotary signs. The water filtration system was generously donated to them by Rotary clubs in Belgium. The project itself is also sponsored by Rotary Club of Ashmore Australia and Rotary club of Angkor.

A great place...

If you’re in Siem Reap and looking for a great meal while supporting a wonderful social enterprise, look no further than the restaurant that New Hope operates in association with their school.

We had two fabulous meals here. The first was their Khmer sampler: deep fried vegetable wontons; banana flower salad with chicken,vegetable curry, beef Lok Lak, and dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious, though the deep fried wontons were superb (some of the best we’ve ever had).

Our second meal was a “light” lunch. First we enjoyed their yummy amuse bouche platter (which always arrives before every meal. This plate of banana chips, deep fried sweet potato chips, and awesome salty/sugary peanuts really hits the spot. Then we dove into a fabulous mango salad, along with a cashew chicken stir fry with steamed rice. Everything was superb as always.

The young students serving us were delightful, and the outdoor dining area was shaded and cooled perfectly by overhead fans.

Khmer Sampler for Two (with smoothies): 100K Riel (CDN $34) Light Lunch (with mocktails): 100K Riel (CDN $34 - including $13.50 donation)

Highly recommended.

P.S. The restaurant was established in 2010 and teaches unemployed and often undereducated Khmers valuable cooking and hospitality skills, all the while developing language skills...

Come here and support a deserving community of beautiful people.

Dining here and enjoying Khmer food is definitely a side aspect of the experience. What makes this dining experience so special is seeing the power of education, community and hope. The person standing behind that wall, cooking your meal is overcoming so many challenges, every day. Things us Westerners cannot imagine. They are grateful for you taking a chance on them, allowing them to practise their skills and letting them hope for a better future for themselves and their family. There are many projects like this, but few do you SEE the very person your money and dining is supporting. Very rarely do you eat right next to the slum the project is supporting.

If you are in Siem Reap, come here and give your love and support to these incredible students and...