Whether it’s on the roof of a French colonial mansion or the attic of an old Chinese shophouse, places to indulge a naughty habit are aplenty in the capital – here are some of the classier options

Eli Meixler VANS ROOFTOP BAR Set in the renovated attic of the French colonial Indochina Bank, the new rooftop bar at Van’s Restaurant launches later this month, offering an extensive wine list, including 16 champagnes by the bottle, as well as digestifs and cigars. Exceptional service is one of the plus points of the high-end restaurant downstairs, and the staff promise advice on which smoke to pair with your tipple of choice. With talk of DJ sets under the full moon, when the outside area is naturally lit, and an art display that changes monthly, the place is sure to get tongues wagging. Officially opens October 16. #5 Street 102 Place de la Poste.

Eli Meixler CHINESE HOUSE The old Chinese shophouse on the banks of the Tonle Sap pulls off an unexpectedly harmonious marriage of oriental furnishings with high-end South American cuisine. Sink into the plush sofas by the bar downstairs, awash with soft orangey lighting and a Buena Vista Social Club-heavy soundtrack, and soak up the atmosphere, cigar in hand. Alternatively, sprawl out upstairs in the opium den-themed smoking lounge. The cigar menu scales up from the $13 Romeo and Julieta No2 to the $38 Cohiba Siglo. Preah Sisowath Quay.

Eli Meixler SAMBA BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE Best known for its barbecue of unlimited red meat, Brazilian steakhouse Samba also offers a cigar room on its first floor. The selection is among the most extensive in Phnom Penh and includes Romeo y Julieta Churchills from Cuba ($25), Olivo Serie O Sungrown Puros from Nicaragua ($13) and Don Diego Robustas from the Dominican Republic ($7.20) among a few dozen others. There’s also a healthy selection of cigar paraphernalia, including cutters and humidors, in the spacious room on the restaurant’s first floor. #64 Sihanouk Boulevard.

Eli Meixler NAGAWORLD Fancy a game of chance along with a fat Cohiba? NagaWorld’s Le Gourmet French Restaurant on the casino’s first floor has a small but fancy selection of mostly Cuban cigars. Cohiba Esplendido ($60), Hoya de Monterrey Epicure No2 ($29) and Bolivar Tubos No3 ($16) are some of the more well-known brands on offer. You can enjoy the cigar over wine and cheese – Le Gourmet offers a daily special of a bottle and platter ($30) – or take the smoke to the tables downstairs. First floor of NagaWorld.

Eli Meixler ELEPHANT BAR,RAFFLES HOTEL LE ROYAL Bathed in low yellow lighting, with a pianist quietly playing jazz, Raffles Hotel Le Royal’s Elephant Bar oozes grandeur – the perfect setting for a quiet evening with friends. The bar offers cigar and single malt pairings, at prices ranging from $20 for a Romeo Julieta No2 and a glass of Laphroaig, to $45 for a Punch Punch and Oban. The most popular cigar range is Montecristo, with numbers 1, 3 and 4 flavoured with hints of coffee, cocoa and vanilla, and blended with a medium tobacco. 92 Rukhak Vithei, Daun Penh.

Eli Meixler LA CASA DEL HABANO, HIMAWARI HOTEL APARTMENTS The only official distributor of Habanos Cuban cigars in Cambodia, La Casa Del Habano stores its product in a room with strictly controlled temperature and humidity levels to ensure the perfect conditions. In the sleek red, white and black bar, large glass windows look out onto the river, an ideal view to enjoy with a cigar in one hand and a glass of rum in the other. Themed events are held every second Friday featuring special offers. Cigar prices range from $7 to $68. 313 Sisowath Quay.