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

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The Alchemist Menu Menu updated on 21 Jun 2026

BREAKFAST & BRUNCH

BEANS & PARMESAN ON TOAST

£10.25

Baked beans with fresh parmesan on buttered sourdough toast

THE FULL FLEXIMIST

£14.50

Spinach, 2 eggs, tomato, hashbrown bites, halloumi

THE LOADED BAP

£11

Sausage patty, hash brown, fried egg, double cheese, hot sauce

YOGHURT & GRANOLA

£8

Greek yoghurt, granola, candied pecans

SHARERS

PLANT SHARER

£28.50

Crispy cauliflower bites, vegetable gyozas, edamame, salt & pepper plant-based goujons, salt & shake potatoes, crispy shrooms

HANDHELDS

THE DUCK PANCAKES

£15.50

Shredded duck, pancakes, crispy noodles, hoisin sauce, house pickled cucumber

GUINNESS RAREBIT

£8.25

Toasted sourdough, cheese melt, house chilli jam

CRISPY SHROOMS

£8.50

Miso mayo, crispy chilli oil

PULLED BEEF ON BRIOCHE

£9.50

Caramelised shredded beef, toasted brioche, spring onion, lettuce, sriracha

PANKO HALLOUMI FLATBREAD

£13.50

Crispy chilli & sesame halloumi, green sauce, pickled red onion, gem lettuce, garlic mayo, flatbread wrap

DUCK WRAP

£16.25

Lettuce, pickled cucumber, Hoisin sauce

FRENCH-DIP STEAK SANDWICH

£16.50

Sliced beef fillet, cheese sauce, green peppers, burnt onions, American cheese, sweet mustard mayo, rocket. With secret truffle gravy & smoking rosemary

CHICKEN BURGER

£16.25

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

£8

Smashed beef patties, American cheese, onions, dill pickle, house burger sauce

THE AFC FLATBREAD

£13

Alchemist fried chicken, maple & bourbon BBQ sauce, gem lettuce, slaw, flatbread wrap

LARGE PLATES

KATSU CURRY CHICKEN

£16.75

Panko crumb, house katsu sauce, jasmine rice

KATSU CURRY CRISPY SMOKED TOFU

£16

Panko crumb, house katsu sauce, jasmine rice

DUCK SALAD

£15.50

Shredded hoisin duck, cucumber, pickled watermelon, butterhead lettuce, spring onions, crispy rice noodles, sesame seeds

DUCK SALAD

£14.75

Shredded hoisin duck, cucumber, pickled watermelon, butterhead lettuce, spring onions, crispy rice noodles, sesame seeds

XO CAESAR SALAD

£12.75

Chopped lettuce, sesame croutons, parmesan, miso mayo, XO sauce

BANG BANG SALAD

£13.50

Asian style salad with carrot, cucumber, radish, lettuce, peanuts, sesame seeds, crispy shallots, Vietnamese sweet chilli dressing

BANG BANG SALAD

£8.75

Asian style salad with carrot, cucumber, radish, lettuce, peanuts, sesame seeds, crispy shallots, Vietnamese sweet chilli dressing

CAESAR SALAD

£12

Chopped cos lettuce, caesar dressing, ciabatta croutons, parmesan, chive

CAESAR SALAD

£8

Chopped cos lettuce, caesar dressing, ciabatta croutons, parmesan, chive

CHICKEN IN A BASKET

£16.75

Crispy buttermilk chicken, fries, slaw, maple & bourbon BBQ sauce

COCONUT TOFU CURRY

£16

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

£3.25

SLAW

£3

HOUSE CHOPPED SALAD

£4.25

EGG FRIED RICE

£6

Sauteed vegetables, torched pineapple, peanut crumb

SALT & PEPPER

£1

ADD-ONS

Smoked Bacon

£2.50

American Cheese

£1.50

Pickles

£1

Applewood Cheese

£1.50

Avocado

£2.50

Chargrilled chicken

£3

Smoked tofu

£3

Extra patty

£3

Nice & spicy glaze

£1

SAUCES

2.00 OR 3 FOR 5.00

Maple Bourbon BBQ

£2

Curry

£2

Secret Truffle Gravy

£2

Peppercorn

£2

Nice & Spicy

£2

FINISH

ICE CREAM (3 SCOOPS)

Ask your server for today’s flavours. Sustainably crafted by Northern Bloc. Plant-based available

The Alchemist Menu