La Bruschetta
Street 123 & 450, Phnom Penh
Monday to Saturday from 12:00 to 14:30 and 17:00 to 21:00
Closed Sundays
Tel: 096 613 6249


Food: 5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4.5/5
Ambience: 3/5


I guess cozy is one words to describe it.

I do not venture to Tuol Tompoung often as I absolutely hate the traffic, but I had a craving for good Italian food and had heard that La Bruschetta has a decent spread. Hopped into a Tuk-tuk and braved the endless traffic lights to get there.



The first thing that struck me was how small the place was. They only have 12 seats and even those are crammed right in. If it rains, they are down to six seats, I guess some would call it cozy. The kitchen was also tiny, and I was really looking forward how they would manage all this.


Good selection of homemade pastas.

There were three other guests when we got there, and that made the place feel pretty busy already. We did get our menus within seconds. There were two ladies working there, looking after both service and kitchen. One very friendly, the other a little on the grumpy side.


Tasteless, but better than Ganzberg.


Better, but wine might be an option.

We started by ordering a couple of beers and, of course, we ordered Italian beers. I must admit that I know nothing about Italian beers, the only Italian beer I remember ever drinking was Peroni. We ordered a Ichnuso and a Menabrea at $2.50 each. To be honest, I was not impressed. The Ichnuso was pretty tasteless and whilst the Menabrea was somewhat better, I understand why Italy is not exactly known for its beers.


I would go back for this alone.

Anyway, we were here to eat, not to go on the lash. We started with Bruschetta. I am not a big fan of the generic tomato Bruschetta, but they had a few interesting choices here. We went with the anchovies, olive oil, and chili oil option. Pretty darn good, the bread was amazing. I did not detect any chili oil, not sure if it was forgotten or they just put very, very little, but it was a good start.


My "little ears" were excellent.

The main course arrived within 30 minutes, quite a feat considering the kitchen is the size of a shoe box, a small shoe box, and there were deliveries going out as well. My friend had ordered the truffle lasagna, and I ordered the “orecchiette” with salmon cream sauce. Both lasagna and my pasta were obviously freshly made and perfectly cooked (I am very much in the “al dente” camp). My portion looked small, but it turned out to be more than enough. My only tiny gripe is that I would have loved some of that delicious bread with my pasta, I love soaking up a good cream sauce.


No lasagna fam, but this rocked.

Our neighbors had ordered Tiramisu, and I would have loved to try as it looked really good. However, I was stuffed to the gills and had to pass. My friend ordered a chocolate budino and, after a bit of begging, let me have a (small) spoon full. I have never had one of those and cannot judge if it was authentic, but it was very good. Almost too sweet, I could see this go down well with a coffee.


Decadent!!

Overall, I really enjoed the food here, especially after a couple of not so good experiences with Italian food in Phnom Penh. The only thing I did not like (apart from the beer, but that is not the restaurant’s fault) was how tine the restaurant is. I am a grumpy old man and do not like my fellow diner sitting on my lap. Apart from that, highly recommended.

sadly ( for us but not for you ) They moved there from siem reap .. very nice lady ..
during covid and the all the road construction they had to move ,No business
luckily the Italian gelato ice cream store across the street stayed But now not doing well -
they are best friends She (gelato lady ) said she would care for my kid when I die .. )
I used to go and eat there not knowing anything about real italian food , it just was a nice little ( yes very small )
place to go , and right next door to one of my favorite pizza and happy hour cocktail joints ” bellarmos pizza “
that also had to go out of business , nowadays they finally came back as Bella’s pizzaria not as good as I remember
They do hawaiian pizza but bruschetta ( italians ) don’t .
Thanx for this post , its nice to hear I wonder if anyone has been to a nice massage lady I had here ?
Jenny massage is also there from here in SR . I still miss the beach 🏝 massages everyday from the very old days .


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