Phnom Penh has been an International District staple and community gathering place ever since owner Sam Ung opened the restaurant in 1987. Ung’s three daughters, Diane, Dawn, and Darlene, have been running the restaurant since 2013 and when they envisioned reopening the restaurant they wanted to create a new era of the restaurant.

We sought to create a warm and optimistic gathering place for the community that is characterized by simple elegance and sincere family hospitality. The design emphasizes modern elements and natural materials to create a refined, warm palette. The wood cloud and wall defines the dining area as the anchor of the space. Art walls and object display shelves add a sense of personality while telling the history of the restaurant and their Cambodian culture.

Custom lighting throughout the space was designed and built by Bradley Sweek, with Amiga lighting, who was a frequent customer of the original restaurant and became a family friend over the years. The lighting ties into the modern aesthetic and simple materials, though gives each dining area a special and unique element.