Nestled in the heart of Cambodia, Ministry of Cat isn’t your ordinary cafe; it’s a haven for cat lovers, a culinary delight, and a sanctuary for furry friends in need. Established in April 2019 with a mission to find forever homes for stray cats, this unique establishment has seamlessly blended Melbourne’s cafe culture with a hint of Spanish flair.

Heartfelt Mission and Culinary Delights

At Ministry of Cat, the mission is as heartwarming as the atmosphere is inviting. Collaborating with Animal Rescue Cambodia, the cafe has successfully rehomed nearly 250 cats over its four-year journey. The dedication to this noble cause is evident in every corner of the cafe, creating an ambiance of compassion and care.

The menu at Ministry of Cat is a culinary journey that blends the best of Melbourne’s coffee culture with a fusion of Spanish-inspired dishes. Imagine sipping on artisanal coffee while indulging in mouthwatering romesco avocado toast, Korean bibimbap, or Caribbean tacos – all in the company of adorable feline companions. What makes it even more special is that all dishes are vegetarian, with numerous vegan options available, catering to a wide range of tastes.

PICTURES FROM THE WEBSITE: https://www.ministryofcat.com

A Resilient Journey Through the Years

Having survived this long, including through the challenges brought by the pandemic, Ministry of Cat stands as a resilient symbol of commitment. The temporary closure during lockdown gave rise to innovative services like daily lunch box deliveries and a cat hotel, offering a safe haven for pets while their owners go on vacation.

Owner Adolfo said, “We’ve successfully rehomed nearly 250 cats, making a tangible difference in the lives of these furry friends in Cambodia. Every purchase at our cafe supports this noble cause, allowing us to continue our efforts in creating a better life for our feline companions.

Supporting the Cause: Every Purchase Makes a Difference

The heartbeat of Ministry of Cat lies in its mission to make a tangible difference in the lives of stray cats in Cambodia. With nearly 250 successful adoptions, every purchase at the cafe directly supports this cause. Whether it’s a cup of coffee or a delectable dish, visitors actively contribute to the welfare of furry companions, helping create a better life for them.

Adolfo added that Cambodia faces a significant stray cat population, and most of these animals face a grim fate due to lack of nourishment, disease, and the local cat meat trade.

“Our partner ARC is rescuing these cats from the streets, and we provide a temporary home while finding them the perfect family. Additionally, we play a crucial role in spreading pet culture in Cambodia, contributing to the improvement of animals’ lives in the country,” he said.

An Unforgettable Experience: Coffee, Companionship, and Culture

Ministry of Cat offers more than just a place to dine; it provides an unforgettable and unique experience. The cafe’s peaceful ambiance, tasteful decor, and, of course, the company of furry friends create the perfect atmosphere for work, friendly chats, or quality time with family. Highly trained baristas ensure top-notch coffee, while the diverse menu offers local delicacies like banh xeo alongside international favorites like Japanese cold noodles.

PICTURES FROM THE WEBSITE: https://www.ministryofcat.com

Benefiting the Community: From Street to Sanctuary

Cambodia grapples with a significant stray cat population, facing challenges like malnourishment, disease, and the local cat meat trade. Ministry of Cat, in partnership with Animal Rescue Cambodia, actively rescues these cats from the streets and provides them with a temporary home. By doing so, the cafe plays a vital role in creating awareness and spreading pet culture in Cambodia, contributing to the overall improvement of animals’ lives in the country.

Join the Mission, Experience the Magic

Adolfo ended, “We extend a warm invitation for you to join us at Ministry of Cat, experience the magic, and play a part in our mission to make a lasting impact on the lives of our feline friends. Come for the coffee, stay for the company – you won’t be disappointed!”

	5 St 442, Phnom Penh 12311, Cambodia
	https://pnh.cambodia-airports.aero
	+85561721217

Recent Posts

• 
  Smoke on the Water: A Twilight Cruise with a Cause
• 
  M’Pai Bay: The Cambodian Island Village That’s Doing Things Differently
• 
  Joint Chamber Cocktail Social at Sofitel Set To Bring Diverse Expat Audiences Togerher To Mix, Mingle, and Connect
• 
  Marvel’s Thunderbolts Hits Cambodian Screens: Where to Watch and What to Expect

Where can you get the best coffee in Phnom Penh? If you’re a coffee lover then finding a good cup of Joe is not always an easy affair. Yes, there are lots of coffee shops in Cambodia, but coffee beans, machines and baristas are not created equally.

I’ll go straight to it on this and state we are not talking about the best cafe, or coffee shop in Phnom Penh, or indeed Cambodia, but where you can get the best and widest selection of coffee for home in the Kingdom.

Boncafe – The secret sauce behind all the best coffee shops

The team was to arrive at Boncafe through a bit of serendipity. It was actually via eating pizza at Pappa John’s and inquiring about where they got their coffee that led us to Boncafe.

The company itself were founded in 1962 in Singapore, before coming to Cambodia in 1996 and ultimately being taken over by the Italian behemoth Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group in 2014. Being owned by an Italian company tends to come in handy if you’re specializing in great coffees and how to make them.

What’s the Boncafe Cambodia story today?

Initially and to a large extent still they are a business-to-business enterprise. They import and provide coffee to all the best supermarkets, such as Lucky, Chip Mong and Bayon, as well as the Siem Riep favorite Angkor Supermarket.

They also supply coffee-making equipment and provide barista training to a whole heap of great dining establishments, such as the aforementioned Papa John’s, and Pong Cambodia, a particular favourite haunt of the Khmer Nights team.

Alas, these are changing times and the company is now reaching out to sell coffees, teas, and even Italian soda syrup directly to customers. Obviously though the main kicker is the list of coffees they sell both whole bean and ground.

Speaking to Khmer Nights, country manager Harry Wong told us:

“So, in short Boncafe is not a cafe, but more a retailer wholesaler and showroom with locales in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.”

When asked about what Boncafe Cambodia were trying to achieve he further added “To be the leading Coffee Roaster and purveyor of gourmet coffees and food service products from around the world by operating with the guiding principles of integrity, quality, service and relationship.”. Can’t say fairer than that!

Best coffee in Phnom Penh – The Experts opinion

Phnom Penh’s coffee offerings range wildly in quality and price. While you can get some home-brewed dark-as-night cup for a dollar or less, you’re going to need to load it with milk and sugar to make it palatable.

Some of my go-to’s for coffee are DNJ in Boeng Tompun, Chit Chat Cafe in TTP. As far as the main chains go, Mobile Coffee isn’t bad and Brown is good but is way overpriced.

There’s a bag of Boncafe ground coffee sitting in my apartment now and I can’t help but take a whiff every time I walk by it. I’m currently on the hunt for a decently priced quality French Press and once that’s purchased, I’ll be brewing Boncafe every morning.

While I have yet to give the packaged coffee a whirl, the espresso, cappuccino and tea on offer at the showroom were on point — strong and rich with the right amount of sweetness. There’s no wonder they are the main suppliers of coffee to many vendors in the capital and beyond.

As soon as I find a French Press, I’ll update this section with a review.

The best coffee machines in Phnom Penh?

OK, so if you are budget-conscious then this is the part where you will either switch off, or have a heart attack. Yes you can get coffee machines and grinders online for cheap, but if you have the cash you can also get the best.

Boncafe has a range of coffee machines that start from around the $400 mark, but also come with free home installation as well as barista training! That’s right, should you splash the coffee machine cash they will train you for as long as it takes to make the perfect cappuccino, latte, espresso, or whatever the cool kids are drinking now.

Obviously these are not in the price range for all of us, but if you are planning on setting up a bar or coffee shop then Boncafe is the place to be.

Where can I find Boncafe and is it worth a visit?

As stated there are three showrooms, in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Siem Reap – which we shall hyperlink to locations for. As for should you visit Boncafe? That depends on how much you love coffee! If you are a coffee aficionado then there is simply no better place currently out there when it comes to range of coffees, expertise, and even getting trained to make the perfect cup.

You can find Boncafe Phnom Penh here

You can find Boncafe Sihanoukville here

You can find Boncafe Siem Reap here .

And if nothing else you will get a friendly welcome and perhaps even get to sit down and enjoy a coffee with the manager. We are personally planing to come for a little barista training – so watch this space. The best in Coffee in Phnom Penh? Khmer Nights got ya covered….

You can check them out and contact them on Facebook here

	Phnom Penh, Cambodia
	https://www.cambodialifestyle.com/phnom-penh/
	+855 9 678 01791

Recent Posts

• 
  Smoke on the Water: A Twilight Cruise with a Cause
• 
  M’Pai Bay: The Cambodian Island Village That’s Doing Things Differently
• 
  Joint Chamber Cocktail Social at Sofitel Set To Bring Diverse Expat Audiences Togerher To Mix, Mingle, and Connect
• 
  Marvel’s Thunderbolts Hits Cambodian Screens: Where to Watch and What to Expect