The Alchemist is an intimate independent restaurant at 172 Sydenham Road in Sydenham. This is a small local dining room rather than a branch of the national cocktail bar group with the same name. The evening is shaped by chef and host Adel, whose cooking and hospitality give the restaurant a personal character that feels closer to visiting a knowledgeable friend than following a standard chain formula.
The menu draws on French, North African and wider international influences gathered through the chef's travels. Dishes are prepared around what is fresh and available, so guests are encouraged to settle in, hear what has been cooked that day and choose across the table. Hummus, vegetable stews, salads and warmly spiced plates demonstrate the kitchen's preference for bold but balanced flavours.
Meat, fish and vegetable dishes can change between visits, with generous portions making sharing a natural way to experience the selection. Slow cooking, fragrant spices, careful sauces and familiar ingredients connect the different culinary traditions. The absence of a rigid format allows the chef to guide diners towards a combination that suits the group and the evening.
The restaurant operates on selected evenings and booking is sensible because the room is small. It does not sell alcohol, but diners may bring their own bottle, adding to the relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere. Conversation with the host, an unhurried pace and the element of discovery are as important to the experience as any single dish.
Address: 172 Sydenham Road, Sydenham, London SE26 5JZ, United Kingdom
The Alchemist Menu
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BREAKFAST & BRUNCH
BEANS & PARMESAN ON TOAST
Baked beans with fresh parmesan on buttered sourdough toast
THE FULL FLEXIMIST
Spinach, 2 eggs, tomato, hashbrown bites, halloumi
THE LOADED BAP
Sausage patty, hash brown, fried egg, double cheese, hot sauce
YOGHURT & GRANOLA
Greek yoghurt, granola, candied pecans
SHARERS
PLANT SHARER
Crispy cauliflower bites, vegetable gyozas, edamame, salt & pepper plant-based goujons, salt & shake potatoes, crispy shrooms
HANDHELDS
THE DUCK PANCAKES
Shredded duck, pancakes, crispy noodles, hoisin sauce, house pickled cucumber
GUINNESS RAREBIT
Toasted sourdough, cheese melt, house chilli jam
CRISPY SHROOMS
Miso mayo, crispy chilli oil
PULLED BEEF ON BRIOCHE
Caramelised shredded beef, toasted brioche, spring onion, lettuce, sriracha
PANKO HALLOUMI FLATBREAD
Crispy chilli & sesame halloumi, green sauce, pickled red onion, gem lettuce, garlic mayo, flatbread wrap
DUCK WRAP
Lettuce, pickled cucumber, Hoisin sauce
FRENCH-DIP STEAK SANDWICH
Sliced beef fillet, cheese sauce, green peppers, burnt onions, American cheese, sweet mustard mayo, rocket. With secret truffle gravy & smoking rosemary
CHICKEN BURGER
Buttermilk chicken thigh, crispy cornflake crumb, crispy onions, dill pickle, Alchemist sweet hot sauce
CUBANO SANDWICH
Cuban spiced pulled pork, ham hock, dill pickle, cheese, crusty ciabatta
CHEESEBURGER
Smashed beef patties, American cheese, onions, dill pickle, house burger sauce
THE AFC FLATBREAD
Alchemist fried chicken, maple & bourbon BBQ sauce, gem lettuce, slaw, flatbread wrap
LARGE PLATES
KATSU CURRY CHICKEN
Panko crumb, house katsu sauce, jasmine rice
KATSU CURRY CRISPY SMOKED TOFU
Panko crumb, house katsu sauce, jasmine rice
DUCK SALAD
Shredded hoisin duck, cucumber, pickled watermelon, butterhead lettuce, spring onions, crispy rice noodles, sesame seeds
DUCK SALAD
Shredded hoisin duck, cucumber, pickled watermelon, butterhead lettuce, spring onions, crispy rice noodles, sesame seeds
XO CAESAR SALAD
Chopped lettuce, sesame croutons, parmesan, miso mayo, XO sauce
BANG BANG SALAD
Asian style salad with carrot, cucumber, radish, lettuce, peanuts, sesame seeds, crispy shallots, Vietnamese sweet chilli dressing
BANG BANG SALAD
Asian style salad with carrot, cucumber, radish, lettuce, peanuts, sesame seeds, crispy shallots, Vietnamese sweet chilli dressing
CAESAR SALAD
Chopped cos lettuce, caesar dressing, ciabatta croutons, parmesan, chive
CAESAR SALAD
Chopped cos lettuce, caesar dressing, ciabatta croutons, parmesan, chive
CHICKEN IN A BASKET
Crispy buttermilk chicken, fries, slaw, maple & bourbon BBQ sauce
COCONUT TOFU CURRY
Smoked Tofu, sauteed vegetables, coconut curry sauce, furikake rice
TERIYAKI KING OYSTER MUSHROOM
King oyster mushroom, 24 hour chip, aromatic jus, heritage carrots, burnt leek, wasabi emulsion, togarashi
PLANT-BASED BASKET
Plant-based goujons, festive seasoning, fries, cranberry slaw & aromatic jus
LOADED FESTIVE BURGER
Smashed beef patty, pork & apple patty, bacon jam, truffle mayo, onion rings, glazed pig in blanket, dipping gravy, festive fries
RIBEYE STEAK
Soy caramel, celeriac puree, cheddar & potato gratin, burnt leek, heritage carrots, aromatic jus, burnt onion petal
SIDES
SLAW
SLAW
HOUSE CHOPPED SALAD
EGG FRIED RICE
Sauteed vegetables, torched pineapple, peanut crumb
SALT & PEPPER
ADD-ONS
Smoked Bacon
American Cheese
Pickles
Applewood Cheese
Avocado
Chargrilled chicken
Smoked tofu
Extra patty
Nice & spicy glaze
SAUCES
2.00 OR 3 FOR 5.00
Maple Bourbon BBQ
Curry
Secret Truffle Gravy
Peppercorn
Nice & Spicy
FINISH
ICE CREAM (3 SCOOPS)
Ask your server for today’s flavours. Sustainably crafted by Northern Bloc. Plant-based available
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in London
- Chicken burger Typical in London: £14.95 £16.25
- Caesar salad Typical in London: £13.50 £8.00
- Cheeseburger Typical in London: £14.75 £8.00
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