Kampot, the up-and-coming foodie epicenter of Cambodia, draws inspirations from cuisines across the globe. Yet, it is the humble pizza that deserves attention. Pizza is, and always will be, the perfect comfort food for backpackers and expats alike. From thin-crust classics to deep-pan goodness, Kampot has a slice or two up its sleeve. We’ve got a rundown of some of the best pizza in Kampot, to ensure that you’ll find pizza perfection whenever you have a craving.

Divino

If you’re looking for refined Italian cuisine, look no further than Divino. This family-owned restaurant allows all who wander through Kampot access to a little part of Italy. The menu features a wide range of Italian classics, including homemade gnocchi and pastas, but today we turn our attention to their exceptional pizzas. Naturally they are thin crust, crispy and authentically Italian. Italian head chef Marco, who worked as a chef for 20 years before moving to Kampot, has made sure that not one patron will ever leave hungry — their pizzas are bigger than the plates.

The pizza menu is extensive with everything you would hope to find in a traditional trattoria, but what sets them apart is their range of high quality Italian toppings such as smoked scamorza cheese, Gorgonzola, Italian sausage, and prosciutto. Although they may be some of the more expensive pizzas in town at $7 or $8, they really are worth splashing out for. The Marco, the chef’s very own creation of mozzarella cheese, spicy salami, Gorgonzola, and fresh chilli, is an absolute showstopper.

L’Osteria

The thinnest crusts, fine wine, and elegant pizza toppings hint that the pies at L’Osteria are made by a true Italiano. The restaurant is a one-man show, run by Francesco, a chef from Italy who takes great pride in sourcing and importing the very best Italian products. The result? Exquisite pizzas that couldn’t be any more authentic. The unbelievably tasty $7 smoked cheese, sausage, and rosemary pizza is a thing to be savored, yet any one of his pizzas will be a treat. Francesco has been making pizzas since he was a boy, and now in Kampot he’s now sharing a lifetime of experience to give you a delicious, authentic pizza.

Together

With views onto the Kampot river, Together has been serving food to happy customers for years. The chefs there cook up an eclectic mix of dishes from French to Khmer, yet it’s their pizza that expats keep coming back for. Although they have only a relatively small pizza menu, you can choose what size pizza suits both your budget and your waistline. Smalls start at just $3, mediums are $5.50, while a large will set you back $7. The classics have all been covered from formaggio, chorizo, calzone, tuna, vegetarian, and seafood. Gooey, deep-pan, takeaway-style pizzas that will remind you of lazy weekends and will cure any homesick blues are Together’s forte. Plus, they also deliver.

Max Bar & Kitchen

Warm, friendly and bubbling with energy, Max Bar & Kitchen has become a Kampot hotspot for pizza lovers. Expats are raving about it around town and now the secret is out! There are a total of eight authentic pizzas which are cooked to perfection in a proper wood-fired oven that also serves as the backdrop for the restaurant itself. You can watch your pizza be turned from a ball of dough to a crispy delight. The Napoli, an all time favorite, is a favorite, and the four cheese pizza is heavenly. Pizzas cost between $4.50 and $8.50 and are big enough to be shared. If you’re lucky, Max may even offer you his home-made limoncello, on the house. Not bad, eh?

Simple Things

Currently the only pure vegetarian restaurant in Kampot, Simple Things is a haven away from the meat-heavy diet of Cambodian and Western cuisine. Their creativity in the kitchen has led to some spectacular dishes, and their selection of veggie pizzas is among them. Caramelized onions, oyster mushrooms, mozzarella, and garlic oil compliment their thick crust bases. You can choose to eat in or takeaway, but either way you’ll want to come back to sample the rest of the menu. Pizzas such as The ‘Broccoli Heaven’ or ‘Senor Eggplant’ from around $6 are enough to convince you that pepperoni has gone out of fashion.

Whatever your particular pizza preferences, Kampot is unlikely to let you down. This truly is a pizza town and there should only be one question on your mind — when will I have my next slice?

Divino
Open daily, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Street 724, Kampot
T: 088 479 1027
divino-kampot.wixsite.com

Together
Open daily, except Sundays, noon to 10 p.m.
Riverside, Kampot
T: 010 721 761
facebook.com/Together

L’Osteria
Open daily, 10 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.
724 Street, NM, 07 Old Market, Kampot 07000
T: 012 309 048

Max Bar & Kitchen
Open daily, hours unknown
Riverside, Kampot
facebook.com/maxbar1972

Simple Things
Open daily, except Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.
54 Old Market Street, Kampot
T: 087 932 422
simplethings.me