Our Story
We’re Tamsin and Darren, a London-Sydney couple and the founders of Sundays. Our journey began in London, where first dates over vegan pad Thai in Shoreditch sparked a love for both each other and plant-based cuisine. Darren’s dream of returning to his parents' homeland to create something special took shape when he shared the idea with Tamsin, whose travels around Asia had already left her longing to go back. A spontaneous “why not?” led us to book flights, make plans and set off for Phnom Penh in late 2018.
By mid-2019, we had the keys to a much larger space than our initial vision of a small café. Just a short walk from where Darren’s family once lived, the building’s potential allowed our ideas to flourish. Our vibrant café would now run alongside a four-bedroom boutique hotel.
After navigating a few rocky pandemic years while temporarily locked down in Sydney, we finally returned, completed construction and opened the doors in 2023.
Creating a Home
We wanted to honour the original building’s charm while infusing it with our own touch. Exposed bricks, hand-scraped walls, and high ceilings with long panelled glass windows blend industrial chic with cosy comfort. We restored the original yellow terrazzo staircase and designed each room to be a sanctuary with bespoke furniture and curated amenities from local businesses.
Our café doubles as a mini-gallery, showcasing work from a mix of local artists and friends from all over the world. Every piece has been thoughtfully chosen to create a space that feels warm and inviting, where every detail is designed to make you feel at home.
Building Responsibly
Responsible construction was at the heart of our project from day one. We donated materials from the old house to the community, including windows to a local NGO and roof sheets to a nearby business. Most of our furniture and decor features repurposed materials, and we embraced imperfections from custom orders or transit mishaps rather than contributing to landfills. We find beauty in these small quirks and imperfections, seeing them as part of our unique story.
Our Vision
Our vision has always been clear: to offer vegan food with Khmer & Southeast Asian flavours. We believe plant-based eating and sustainability go hand in hand, so our menu is crafted with local produce and almost everything in our kitchen is made from scratch, from vegan mayo to coconut ice cream. We implemented energy efficient systems and waste reduction programs, our hot water is solar powered as is our electricity. Every aspect of our hotel and café reflects our dedication to eco-conscious living.
Our Café
Our café has quickly become a beloved spot in the neighbourhood. A space to enjoy artisanal coffees, carefully crafted dishes, and a menu that showcases traditional Khmer flavours alongside vegan comfort foods. We proudly support local businesses, from kombucha and craft beers to herbal teas created by local social enterprises. Our kitchen minimizes plastic use, reduces food waste, and composts everything possible.
So, what are you waiting for?
Stay at Sundays, we can’t wait to see you
