Devi Theater: Apsara Dance Show with Khmer/Western Dinner

At Devi Theater, a night of Cambodian dance comes with dinner, so you can settle in for a full evening rather than fit a show between meals. The two-hour program features six traditional performances, including the graceful Apsara dance and the Royal Ballet, a form once nearly lost after the Khmer Rouge era.

I like two things about this plan: the range of dances gives you more than one glimpse of Khmer performance, and the dinner is part of the evening, with a Cambodian signature dish and a six-course menu. A welcome drink is included, too.

The main consideration is timing. You need to reach the theater by 7 pm, while the show itself runs from 7:30 to 9:30. Transport is not included, and the exact dinner courses and performance order are not specified.

The evening at a glance

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• Six traditional performances include the Chhai Yam welcome dance, Apsara dance, Royal Ballet and four other Khmer performances.
• Apsara dance takes center stage as a graceful art form closely tied to Cambodian tradition and spirituality.
• The Royal Ballet carries a story of survival, having been revived after the Khmer Rouge era with the dedication of Princess Norodom Buppha Devi.
• Dinner is served during the show, with a six-course menu and a Cambodian signature dish. A Khmer or Western menu option is available.
• The theater has air conditioning and comfortable seating, a welcome setting for a two-hour performance.
• You arrange your own ride to Devi Theater. Plan to arrive by 7 pm, 30 minutes before the show begins.

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Apsara dance, with more than one act

The Apsara dance is the evening’s main draw. Its measured movements and poised gestures offer a very different kind of performance from a fast-moving stage show. You can watch for the calm control and careful hand movements that give the dance its distinct character.

The program also gives you a broader look at Khmer performance. The Chhai Yam dance opens the evening, followed by Apsara and the Royal Ballet, then four more traditional performances. The precise names and order of those final acts are not provided, so you should think of the evening as a sampler rather than a program built around one dance alone.

The show pays tribute to Princess Norodom Buppha Devi, whose work helped revive the Royal Ballet after the Khmer Rouge era. That context matters: this is not just an evening of attractive stage movement. The preservation of these forms is part of Cambodia’s cultural story, and the Royal Ballet’s return is a meaningful part of it.

You do not need to know the dances in advance to follow the evening. The variety gives you several points of comparison, while the familiar structure of a seated show makes the performance easy to enjoy even if you are new to Cambodian dance.

From Chhai Yam welcome to the 9:30 finish

Plan around the theater’s schedule rather than treating this as a late-night activity. Check-in begins at 7 pm, and you are asked to arrive 15 minutes before the stated departure time. The performances run from 7:30 to 9:30, making the show itself two hours.

There is a small timing wrinkle in the published schedule: the theater portion is also described as lasting two and a half hours, with a 7 pm departure and a 9:30 return. The clearest practical plan is to be at Devi Theater by 7 pm and expect the performance to finish at 9:30. No hotel pickup or return transport is included, so allow time to arrange your own ride.

The Chhai Yam dance starts the show with a welcome, then the program moves through Apsara, the Royal Ballet and four other traditional performances. Since the full running order is not specified, you should not count on a particular dance appearing at a precise time. The important point is that you get six performances across the evening, not just one short Apsara set.

Late arrival is a serious drawback here. The booking terms say latecomers and no-shows cannot receive a refund. If you are coming from elsewhere in Siem Reap, leave a buffer rather than aiming to arrive at the last minute.

Six courses alongside the performance

Dinner is included in the package, and the meal is described as a six-course Cambodian signature dinner. You can choose a Khmer or Western menu option, making this a useful choice if you want to try Cambodian food but are dining with someone who prefers familiar Western dishes.

The food is served during the performance, so the evening combines a meal and a show rather than setting aside a separate dinner hour. That arrangement can be good value: you get a full evening’s entertainment without needing to book a second venue afterward. It also means your attention will move between the stage and the table, which may not suit someone who wants to focus on every detail of the dance.

A complimentary welcome drink is included. Other drinks are not, so budget for anything beyond that first drink. Outside food and drinks are prohibited.

The exact menu is not stated, and the available information points to a sample menu rather than promising specific dishes. If you have a particular meal in mind, check the menu before booking instead of assuming the signature dish or six courses will be the same on every date.

What the price buys you

The experience is advertised from US$38.50, while the Khmer or Western menu package is also shown from US$35. The displayed starting price can vary by package or booking details, so check the total for your chosen date and menu before paying.

For the price, you are getting admission, English-speaking staff, six performances, air-conditioned seating, dinner and a welcome drink. That is a practical bundle if you are already interested in seeing Cambodian dance and would otherwise pay separately for a meal. The value depends on how much you want both parts: if dinner is not important to you, a show-only option may be worth comparing, though no show-only price is provided here.

Two short ratings give the evening five out of five, with food, hospitality and service singled out as strong points. That is encouraging, especially if you care about the dinner as much as the stage program, but it is a very small sample. Treat the praise as a helpful signal, not a guarantee that every meal or service detail will match your expectations.

The theater setting and practical details

The performance takes place in an air-conditioned hall with comfortable seating. That offers a more controlled, seated setting than an outdoor show, and the air conditioning can be a welcome break from Siem Reap’s heat. The available details do not specify the seating layout, stage size or whether seats are assigned, so do not assume a particular view.

English-speaking staff are included, but no individual guide or performer names are provided. This is a theater performance, not a guided walk or a small-group cultural workshop. If you want context beyond the dances themselves, you may want to read a little about Apsara and the Royal Ballet beforehand.

Children and infants must be included in the passenger headcount. Children aged 12 and over are charged at the adult rate. The stated rules also prohibit pets, and anyone who appears intoxicated may be refused service without a refund.

Booking changes are allowed up to 24 hours before the activity in many cases, though some booking types are excluded. The voucher is valid only on the date and time selected, so check those details carefully before you set the rest of your evening around the show.

Who will enjoy this evening most?

I’d consider this a good fit if you want a straightforward introduction to traditional Cambodian dance without having to arrange dinner separately. The combination of six performances, a seated air-conditioned venue and a meal makes the evening easy to plan, especially if you are spending only a few nights in Siem Reap.

It also suits couples, families with older children and anyone curious about the Royal Ballet’s revival. The cultural context gives the performance more meaning than a dinner soundtrack, while the menu choice helps if your group does not share the same appetite for unfamiliar food.

It may be less suitable if you want a highly detailed explanation of each dance, a private cultural exchange or a flexible arrival time. No named guide, Q&A or transport is included. You will also need to choose between following the action closely and giving your meal your full attention.

Should you book Devi Theater?

Book it if you want one organized evening that pairs Cambodian dance with dinner, and you can get yourself to the theater by 7 pm. The strongest reasons to go are the six-performance program, the inclusion of Apsara and the Royal Ballet, and the practical dinner package. The praise for food, hospitality and service is a welcome sign, though the small number of ratings means I would keep expectations sensible.

Skip it if you would rather spend the evening at a restaurant of your own choosing, want a performance with extensive spoken explanation, or cannot make the early check-in. For a convenient introduction to Khmer dance with a meal already built in, the package is a sensible way to spend two hours in Siem Reap.

FAQ

How long is the show?

The performance runs from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, for two hours. The schedule also asks you to arrive at 7 pm for check-in.

Where does the performance take place?

It takes place at Devi Theater Siem Reap in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

What dances are included?

The program includes the Chhai Yam welcome dance, Apsara dance, the Royal Ballet and four other traditional performances.

Is dinner included?

Yes. The package includes a six-course dinner with a Cambodian signature dish. Khmer and Western menu options are available.

Is a drink included?

A complimentary welcome drink is included. Other drinks are not included.

Is transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup, drop-off and transport are not included.

What time should I arrive?

Arrive at the theater by 7 pm to check in. The instructions also ask you to arrive 15 minutes before the departure time.

Are children allowed?

Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount. Children aged 12 and over are charged the same rate as adults.

Is the theater air-conditioned?

Yes. The show is held in an air-conditioned hall with comfortable seating.

Can I change my booking?

Changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity in many cases, but some booking types are excluded. Check your booking conditions before requesting a change.