The Alchemist is in central Cardiff, the company’s first location in Wales. Its trademark range of theatrical and inventive cocktails are served in the cavernous surroundings of a former underground vault, enhancing the sense of intrigue and wonder that is central to an Alchemist experience.
Food is served all day. Breakfast is headlined by a full English (also available vegetarian), a maple bacon pancake stack and ‘nduja avocado on toast. Accompanying drinks range from a selection of teas and coffees to a bloody mary or espresso martini.
Those dining after breakfast can choose from a broad selection that should suit most tastes. The starters lineup features tempura prawn lollipops, panko halloumi and cauliflower bites. Sharing options are three-fold: duck pancakes, alchemy sharer or plant sharer.
For mains, you can choose from the likes of katsu curry (this can be made vegetarian by substituting chicken for miso cauliflower), duck salad and either picanha or fillet steak. There’s also a handheld range, which features a selection of burgers and a French-dip steak sandwich. Those after something lighter need look no further than nibble such as hot honey popcorn and pork crackling.
The cocktail menu is vast and a considerable amount is given to the theatre range of drinks. This includes a lightbulb moment (gin, Pimms, ginger beer, mint and served smoking in round bottom flask), a bubblebath (gin, aperol, blueberry, citrus and something listed on the menu as ‘fairy liquid) and a pipe dream (whiskey, rum, cascara and chocolate cookie). All the classics are also on offer, as well several low or no alcohol options.