With only a week to go until the most magical day of the year, here in Sihanoukville preparations are fully underway to make it a Cambodian Christmas to remember. From a traditional turkey with all the trimmings, to inspired Asian/Western fusion cuisine to all-night parties, live music and a seasonal themed market for last minute gift ideas, there is something here for everyone. Here are out picks for how to have the best Christmas in Sihanoukville, including Christmas dinners, parties, and more.

It’s time to celebrate Christmas, Sihanoukville style.

Otres Market Christmas Eve Special, Otres Village

Kick start the festivities with a visit to the famous Otres Market for a special Christmas Eve jamboree from 6 p.m. Treat your ears to the best live acts and DJs around, tuck into an array of Christmas-themed dishes from over 15 countries and pick up all your last-minute Christmas gifts, with stalls offering unique and inspired arts & crafts, jewelry, clothes, and cakes.

If live music is your jam, then don’t miss the chance to take a trip back in time to the golden-era of Khmer rock with The Cambodian Space Project playing a special one-off show at Otres Market on the 27th.

Wish You Were Here Christmas Party, Otres 1

Looking for somewhere to dance off your Christmas dinner? Look no further! Wish You Were Here are throwing a Christmas-themed Sunday Sessions bash with DJs playing a mish-mash of tunes all night! Head down in your Christmas clobber for seasonal shots, cocktails and a night of shameless dancing.

Hacienda Christmas BBQ, Otres Village

Food and fun-lovers should head to Hacienda for their Christmas BBQ and shenanigans. Kicking off with all-day field games and plenty of Jager, dinner will be served at about 6 p.m. with BBQ chicken and pork or Khmer master-chef Buntheang’s amazing Eggplant Parmi for the vegetarians. At a very reasonable $6 including dessert, places are sure to fill up quickly. Give them a call or swing by to sign up.

Mick & Craig’s Traditional Christmas Dinner, Beach Road

If you’re looking for a traditional Christmas dinner in Cambodia, then Sihanoukville staple Mick & Craig’s is the place to go. To celebrate their 20th anniversary here on Beach Road, Mick & Craig’s are offering roast turkey and honey roasted ham, sausage and bacon rolls (or pigs in blankets, for those in the know!), roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, peas, honey roast carrots, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce for only $12 or $8 for kids. Veggies can also tuck into stuffed baked eggplant topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese, along with all the traditional sides for just $8. Available from 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 12 p.m. on Christmas Day, seats are sure to fill up quickly so pop in or give them a call 034 650 5000 to reserve your place asap.

Snooky’s 3-Course Festive Roast

Famous across Sihanoukville for their classic Sunday roasts, Snooky’s $19 3-course offering is sure to remind you of your Mum’s Christmas dinner AND fill you up until dinner time! Choose from tomato soup or potato and leek soup to start, followed by roast turkey or roast pork or a rib eye steak served with all the trimmings and topped off with Christmas pud and ice cream! Served at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Christmas Day. Book in advance by calling 089 790 748.

Feast on a traditional Swedish smorgasbord at Done Right.

Swedish Smorgasbord, Done Right, Otres 1

Done Right’s annual traditional Swedish Christmas buffet is a sight to behold! Starting at around 3 p.m on Christmas Eve, this exquisite smorgasbord features an array of Scandinavian specialties, including meatballs, smoked salmon, ham, ribs, beetroot salad, potato salad, eggs with caviar/mayo, Jansson’s Temptation, ginger snaps, candy and more. Done Right’s family atmosphere is perfect for the festivities, with a big table for conversation and plenty of buffet-style food for you to help yourself. As always, they round off the evening with live music from talented local musicians and Swedish coffee, the perfect pick-me-up after all that food! The full buffet costs just $20 including mulled wine. Places are limited, so reserve your spot by popping in or calling 034 630 1100.

Hemingway’s Scandinavian Christmas Buffet, Victory Hill

Sihanoukville locals may prefer to head to Hemingway for their early Scandinavian festivities! Kicking off the Christmas season in style with a Danish/Swedish traditional Christmas buffet surprise on the 22nd, Hemingway’s famous kitchen will be cooking up a storm. For $19.99, they are offering a full table with Christmas sausage, duck breast, pork roast- with lots of crackling- meatballs, cooked and glazed potatoes, thick, “unhealthy” gravy, red cabbage, pickled cucumber, ris a la mande with warm cherry sauce and two glasses of wine or beer! Kids eat for $5. Places are filling up fast and the official cut-off date for signing up was the 15th, but we have their word that if you give them a call then they will do their best to squeeze you in!

Four-Course Christmas Feast at SO Restaurant, Beach Road

Celebrate Christmas in style with a delicious four-course menu at SO Restaurant. Famed amongst locals for having one of the best alternative menus in Sihanoukville, SO are back with a four-course festive feast for just $25!

Ease in with a choice of traditional prawn cocktail, chicken liver and cranberry pate, hot melted camembert with ginger and cranberry jelly, honey glazed pork belly with green onion aioli or a homemade potato, leek and sage soup. Cleanse the palate with lime and mint sorbet, before taking your pick of roast turkey with honey mustard ham, poached salmon in a dill and lemon sauce, duck breast in cranberry sauce, lamb shank with rosemary and cranberry or a cauliflower, walnut and sage loaf, all served with pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, Brussel sprouts, carrots, green beans, sage stuffing, gravy and cranberry jelly. Round it off with the best selection of desserts around, including Christmas cake in rum sauce with brandy butter, vanilla pannacotta with a winter berry compote, cranberry cheesecake, chocolate brownie and ice cream before finishing up with a coffee and mint chocolate. Served from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Day, SO’s Christmas dinner is sure to be one of the more popular in Sihanoukville, so we advise reserving your spot as soon as possible!

The Reef Resort Christmas dinner

Meat lovers rejoice! The Reef Resort in Serendipity has you covered this Christmas season with a variety of exotic fare to tantalize your taste buds. Everything from traditional turkey with brussels sprouts and all the trimmings, to Spanish lobster pasta, and even ostrich will be on offer! And, if ostrich is too strange for Christmas day, simply wash it down with the included champagne, sample the hand carved charcuterie board (including a scotch egg!!) or dig into ricotta and mushroom stuffed red peppers. The very reasonable $25 per person price tag also includes a trio of desserts: mince pies, cheesecake and caramelized banana with ice cream and freshly ground coffee to finish. Served all day on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m, The Reef are sure to be able to squeeze you in for last minute celebrations, but we highly recommend booking your seat in advance.

Chivas Beach Club Six-Course Seafood Celebration

Take in the Christmas sunset from this beachside bistro then settle in for a stunning six-course seafood feast! Tuck into seafood salad and garlic cream soup for starters before the surprise seafood platter in Sauvignon sauce. Follow that with duck in port sauce, potato dumplings with red cabbage, and finally (if there’s room!) a cheese platter and chocolate cake. Available on the 24th and 25th, reservations are recommended and the full spread costs just $26.50.

The Secret Garden Christmas Fusion Feast, Otres 2

Celebrate Cambodian Christmas in style with a very special Western-Asian fusion four-course feast at The Secret Garden’s beautiful beach-side restaurant on Otres 2. Available from the 23rd to the 25th by reservation only, The Secret Garden’s expert chefs will be preparing an exquisite menu featuring caramelized ocean snapper, mulled wine sorbet and turkey roulade stuffed with brie, risotto rice cakes, roasted vegetables, pumpkin puree and a five-spiced red wine jus, followed by a rich chocolate, coconut and chili tarte with pistachio ice cream and raspberry and Khmer basil compote and a glass of sparkling Spanish Cava. For vegetarians, The Secret Garden are offering caramelized tofu with a tian of melon, papaya and green mango and a bean sprout, herb and peanut salad followed by a four cheese and beetroot lasagna paired with a confit of cherry tomatoes.

At $40 it is one of the more expensive menus around, but the sea-view and the delectable blending of both Khmer and Western flavors are sure to make it a Christmas to remember! Locals and expats also qualify for a $10 discount with a Secret Garden Local Loyalty Card. Just pop by The Secret Garden for a meal beforehand to pick up a Loyalty Card and ensure that you get it stamped! Call to make a reservation. Available from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the 23rd and 24th and 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. on the 25th.

Koh ta Kiev Christmas Festival Bonanza, Ten103 Treehouse Bay

For a truly unique Christmas experience, escape to the island paradise of Koh ta Kiev for a pirate-themed tropical getaway! Take a free ride on a longtail boat and enjoy an all-you-can-eat Christmas buffet, live music from local bands, treasure hunts through the tropical jungle, arts and crafts, tarot readings, games and activities on the white sandy beaches. Hop on a boat back in the evening, or spend a night in an awesome treehouse or pirate-style in a hammock. Call them on 0979437587 to enquire about treehouse/dorm prices or bring your own hammock and stay all night for only $5! Boats run hourly from SeaGarden on Otres 1 from 11:30 a.m., with the last return boat from the island at 7 p.m.

Monkey Maya, Ream

A little further afield, Monkey Maya is an amazingly remote restaurant set in the stunning jungle on the edge of Ream National Park. Overlooking the beaches of the Gulf of Thailand, the beautiful dining view is the perfect place for a romantic Christmas dinner, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Available from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, and offering a full array of dishes, dinner at Monkey Maya is definitely shaping up to be a special one.

Diners may opt for 3-courses with wine ($20) or two courses ($12.50) and begin with a creamy pumpkin soup with coconut cream followed by an Asian-style beef carpaccio with lime and sesame. Choose between bacon wrapped chicken breast stuffed with sausage and apple, whole snapper with garlic and lemongrass steamed in a banana leaf, or, for the vegetarians, a sweet potato, chickpea, and mushroom hash with cauliflower and cheese. A gin-infused fruit salad and warm chocolate sponge cake with cinnamon apple and rum custard round out the meal. Reservations are available by phone or email at least 24hrs in advance.

Island Christmas, Last Point, Koh Ta Kiev

To further your tropical island Christmas getaway experience, The Last Point on Koh Ta Kiev are offering an amazing Christmas party on December 26th, featuring the Barangutans and a delicious Christmas dinner from their awesome chefs. Catch the 11:30am boat from Sea Garden and enjoy Boxing Day in paradise for just $12!

Stray Cats wine and cheese, Otres Village

If you want to get Christmas morning off to a great start, then head down to Stray Cats in Otres Village for sparkling wine and cheese ($5 for a glass and tasting platter!) and enjoy a fun day of games and activities, including charades and the best selection of board games on Otres! That evening treat your ears to a beautiful medley of sounds from their amazing flutist/sax/guitarist and enjoy an incredible show by Hula-Hulagans and relax in Christmasy style surrounded by the mango trees!

Otres Market, Otres Village [Map]
www.facebook.com/otresmarket

Wish You Were Here Christmas Party, Otres 1 [Map]
T: 012828432
www.facebook.com/otresbeachcambodia

Hacienda, Otres Village [Map]
T: Carina 070814643 or Eddie 0964546971
facebook.com/haciendaotres

Mick & Craig’s Restaurant & Guesthouse, Beach Road [Map]
T: 034 650 5000
facebook.com/mick-craigs-sihanoukville-cambodia

Snooky’s Bar and Bistro [Map]
T: 034 677 3444
facebook.com/snookys-garden-bar-and-restaurant

Done Right, Otres 1 [Map]
T: 034 630 1100
facebook.com/donerightguesthouse

Hemingway’s Sihanoukville
T: 071 883 5000
facebook.com/hemingway-sihanoukville-cambodia

SO Restaurant, Beach Road [Map]
T: 092 759 753
facebook.com/soseaview

SO Restaurant, Beach Road [Map]
T: 092 759 753
facebook.com/soseaview

Chivas Beach Club
T: 016 709 781
facebook.com/chivasbeachclub

The Reef Resort [Map]
T: 012 315 338
facebook.com/thereefsihanoukville

The Secret Garden Christmas Fusion Feast [Map]
T: 097 649 5131
facebook.com/secretgardenotres

Ten103 Treehouse Bay, Koh ta Kiev [Map]
T: 097 943 7587
facebook.com/ten103-treehouse-bay

Monkey Maya, Ream [Map]
T: 078 760 853
facebook.com/ream.national.park

The Last Point
Koh ta Kiev
T:088 502 6930
facebook.com/lastpointisland

Stray Cats
Otres Village
T: 071 476 2145
facebook.com/straycatsguesthouse
Hula-Hulagans: facebook.com/hula-hulagans