The story
Chef Rasmus Munk’s Alchemist, on Copenhagen’s Refshalevej, is a dining experience that defies easy categorization. Michael Ligier, who has visited twice on camera, calls it “the weirdest restaurant” and also his “favorite restaurant in the world”—a 50-course, seven-to-eight-hour odyssey inside an immersive dome. Dishes arrive in eyeballs, prosthetic heads, and as butterflies, tackling themes of sustainability and society with research-driven precision.
Ligier highlights standouts like the Smoky Ball, Cotton Candy Dumplings, Butterflies, and a Vanishing Sea Buckthorn Tonic. The theatrical meal, which sells out in seconds, pushes fine dining into uncharted territory—part culinary lab, part art installation, and wholly unforgettable.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2025.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 28 dish mentions say about the food
Reviewers rave about the "1984" dish, calling it a theatrical and unforgettable centerpiece. The overall vibe is one of daring, artistic storytelling through food.
“This is their classic Smoky Ball — it's named that because, well, I think it's obvious. It's a little smoky sphere that bursts in your mouth. Delicious.”
“This smoky ball is one of the first things you get — it's like a burst of smoke and flavor in your mouth. I don't even know how to describe it, but it sets the tone for the whole night.”
What creators say
2 creators have covered Alchemist. Most active: Michael Ligier
- Michael LigierLoved
Behind the Scenes at the 50 Course, $1,000 Restaurant that Sells Out in 3 Seconds · @ 0:39
Alchemist is my favorite restaurant in the world — it's the weirdest restaurant with a 50-course, 7-hour meal that includes butterflies, eyeballs, and incredible research-driven dishes, all in an immersive dome with powerful messages about society and sustainability.
Dishes mentioned
Smoky Ball
This is their classic Smoky Ball — it's named that because, well, I think it's obvious. It's a little smoky sphere that bursts in your mouth. Delicious.
Cotton Candy Dumplings
These are their fluffy cotton candy dumplings — they're light and sweet, a fun little bite.
Butterflies
These are real butterflies sitting on top of a little chip. Fun fact: this is not my first time having a butterfly. Oh my god, it gets me every time a little bit though. The combination is delicious.
Space Bread
This is a little space bread — just an irradiation of ingredients taken to a limit, creating an instantly crunchy bite that then disappears. Rasmus is talking about space bread because Alchemist is actually preparing to be the first fine dining meal served in space with an expedition planned next year. The research for this space bread has real world applications — that technique we now use in the kids hospital menu for kids through cancer who have open wounds and craving for something crunchy but don't want the side effects of swallowing it.
Best Omelette
This is the best version of an omelette that you can imagine — pure taste, focused on perfection.
- Michael LigierLoved
The Weirdest Restaurant on Earth (50 Courses) · @ 0:57
Alchemist is the weirdest restaurant on earth with a 50-course, 8-hour meal featuring insane presentations like dishes served in eyeballs and prosthetic heads, but it's my favorite restaurant in the world.
Dishes mentioned
Smoky Ball
This smoky ball is one of the first things you get — it's like a burst of smoke and flavor in your mouth. I don't even know how to describe it, but it sets the tone for the whole night.
Ultra Perfect Omelette with Pepper Infused with Sound Waves
This omelette is ultra perfect — they infused the pepper with sound waves, which is insane. It's so delicate and flavorful, I've never had anything like it.
Dish Served in Eyeballs
They serve a dish in eyeballs — it's weird, but honestly, it's one of the more normal things here. The presentation is shocking, but the taste is actually good.
Dish Served in Prosthetic Human Heads
They serve a dish in prosthetic human heads — it's bizarre, but again, it's not the weirdest thing here. The food inside is tasty, but the presentation is just wild.
Dish Meant to Look Like Bugs Splattered on Windshield
This dish is meant to look and feel like bugs splattered on your windshield that you scrape off — it's disgusting to look at, but the flavor is surprisingly good. It's one of the weirdest things I've ever eaten.
