Rose and Crown: The Proper British Pub in Phnom Penh
There’s no shortage of places to eat in Phnom Penh, but sometimes, what’s missing is what stands out most. That’s exactly what Joe thought after a trip back home to the UK—and now, thanks to his efforts, the city finally has the proper British pub food it was missing.
We caught up with Joe to learn more about The Rose and Crown—how it started, what’s behind it, and why it’s quickly becoming a local favourite.
A Pub with a Purpose
“I am Joe and I am the owner of The Rose and Crown. I’ve been in Cambodia for over 10 years working in conservation,” Joe begins.
“Last year I was returning from a family holiday back in England, one where we had been lucky enough to enjoy loads of fantastic UK pub food, only to notice the glaring lack of ‘proper’ British pub grub in the PP food scene. I knew immediately that The Rose and Crown (Rose after me and crown after my princess of a wife aha) could fill the gap in the market, but only if we took the time to make the business the best it could be.”
And fill that gap it did. “More than a year on from opening, I am confident in saying that the lack of quality pub food in Phnom Penh is no more!”
Building It Right
“After months of location scouting, renovations and designing a menu, TRAC opened its doors last Summer. Not that it was a one man job!”
“I can’t stress enough that without the help of my exceptional team, I’d still be painting the place!”
Since then, The Rose and Crown has been on a roll—sold-out Sunday roasts every week, private events tailored to guests’ needs, a full traditional Christmas lunch, and a packed Thanksgiving dinner. Not bad for a first year.
Future plans? “One is to put up a retractable roof/awning over the beer garden for rainy season,” Joe says. “To be updating the menu and adding new dishes as needed.”
What Makes It Special?
“For sure it’s been seeing this business turn from concept into reality,” he says. “Visualising a comfortable, outdoor space (beer garden) where people can eat, drink and be happy in a relaxed and family friendly environment was easy, but having the opportunity to see it come together piece by piece is something I am very grateful for.”
And while the vibe is a big part of the charm, so is the commitment to getting things right.
“Outside of our extensive menu featuring classic British food, our tranquil outdoor seating space and our secret (not-so-secret) Bookcase Bar and air-conditioned pool room—I would argue the thing setting us apart is our dedication. We make a point of not doing anything half-heartedly, so whatever the customer desires we go the extra mile to ensure we can provide the highest quality, at the fairest price point. It sounds cliché but customer satisfaction really is the aim of our game.”
Community First
Joe is proud of the team he’s building and the culture around it.
“The Rose and Crown is committed to expanding the skillsets of all of its employees. We offer all of our staff training and specifically like to build upon a person’s existing strengths, inspiring confidence and nurturing individual ambitions.”
“We’ve created a natural space in a blooming expat community within Russian Market.”
TRAC is also doing its part for the environment: “We use as much recyclable packaging as possible and also set aside a % of incomings annually to donate/help support conservation NGOs/projects working within Cambodia.”
Always Evolving
“Thus far, customer feedback tells us we are doing something right, but as always, we need more! Be it suggestions for an appropriate fundraising opportunity, a particular dish that you’re craving or just your first impressions as you walk through the door. I am constantly excited to hear what others think we can incorporate into TRAC to make it Phnom Penh’s premier spot for friends and families to drop by for a spectacular meal and great all round experience.”
As for why he’s stayed in Cambodia all these years?
“I’ve enjoyed living here over the past 10+ years, the people and easy going lifestyle are great. As mentioned earlier the main thing I felt missing from Phnom Penh was good UK pub grub. Now with the Rose and Crown in full swing, the lack of good pub food is no more.”
Whether you’re after a Yorkshire pudding fix, a pint in the garden, or a family-friendly spot with real personality, The Rose and Crown delivers—just don’t forget to book ahead for Sunday roasts.
📍 The Rose and Crown, Russian Market, Phnom Penh
🕒 Open daily | Sunday Roasts: advance booking highly recommended
📲 For updates and bookings, visit The Rose and Crown on Facebook.
 | Cambodia |
 | https://www.cambodialifestyle.com |
 | +855 9 678 01791 |
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Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
