Chef Rasmus Munk’s Alchemist is one of the hottest restaurants in the world right now. It currently has two Michelin stars, and is ranked highly on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. From the food to the spectacular setting to the interactive performances during your meal, it’s the true definition of culinary art, and a holistic experience you will never forget. (Not convinced yet? See our full YouTube video from the meal here!) Naturally, when Alchemist releases tickets for online booking, they disappear within seconds. Since we live in Copenhagen, one of the questions we get asked the most is, “How did you book a table at Alchemist?” While it is definitely a tough table to snag, it’s not impossible. We’re here to help walk you through the reservation process, and share some tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years. This is also a more general guide, so whether you’re dying to visit Alchemist, Noma, Geranium, or any of the other of the hard-to-book restaurants in Denmark or around the world, you can apply this knowledge. Are you ready to be a reservations expert?
How To Book a Table at Alchemist:
1. Follow the Restaurant on Social Media
Instagram is where they will announce reservation release dates, and any last-minute cancellations, so make sure to follow all their social media channels.
2. Subscribe to the Restaurant’s Newsletter
The newsletter is another way to get info about release dates, and sometimes restaurants even give early access to newsletter subscribers.
3. Set an Alarm for the Release
Pay attention when they announce when the next release of reservations will be. Set a reminder and an alarm – you can’t be one second late!
4. Create a Booking Site Profile
Create a profile on Tock (or whatever reservation service the restaurant is using), and fill out your credit card information in advance. This will save you valuable time during the reservation frenzy.
5. Get Familiar with the Reservation Site
Get comfortable on the reservation platform! Practice by following the booking steps so you know how to navigate the page easily when the time comes.
6. Contact Your Bank
Contact your bank to lift geographic blocks for purchases and notify them of an upcoming large payment abroad. Verify your daily spending limit and have a backup credit card handy in case of transaction blockage.
7. Book Less Popular Time Slots
Plan to book on less popular days of the week, like Tuesday and Wednesday (instead of Friday and Saturday). If the restaurant serves lunch, this is also a less popular time, and therefore easier to book than dinner.
8. Use Multiple Devices
Using several devices can increase your chances of getting a reservation. Have the booking page open on your laptop and cell phone, and refresh the page constantly leading up to the release time.
9. Ask Your Friends to Help
Have friends and family also try to book a table. It’s a numbers game, so ask as many people as you can to help make a reservation for you.
10. Keep Refreshing the Booking Page
If at first you don’t succeed, try again. Reservations are typically held for 5-10 minutes while the guest completes the checkout process. If they do not finish their booking within that time frame, the reservation is released again. Keep refreshing that booking page!
11. Check for Cancellations
Check the site again after 48-72 hours. Guests are typically given two to three days to confirm and pay for their reservation. If they haven’t paid within this timeframe, their reservation is released onto the site once again.
12. Join the Waitlist
Add yourself to the waitlist for as many dates as possible. Cancellations are common, and waitlists are used frequently. Add the restaurant’s phone number to your contacts so you know if they’re trying to reach you – Alchemist always contacts the waitlist via phone.
13. Book the Private Dining Room
Splurge on a more luxurious evening in the private dining room. At Alchemist, they offer their “Sommelier Table” experience, which comes at a higher price point, but also includes an exclusive wine pairing curated by their sommeliers. More expensive options like this and private dining rooms are typically easier to book.
14. Let the Restaurant Know You’re Available
In town and hoping for a last-minute cancellation? Send an email to the restaurant informing them of your interest, and your ability to be at the restaurant within 20 minutes of their call. If they know you can fill that seat faster than anyone else, there’s a good chance they’ll bump you to the top of their waitlist. They want to fill these seats as much as you want to dine there!
15. Join The Hungries
Join our food club, The Hungries! We have a reservations channel on our online forum where members often share their reservations at hard-to-book restaurants. Sometimes they are looking to give away their table, and sometimes they’re looking for another solo diner to join them for a meal.
What’s the hardest reservation you’ve ever booked? Let us know in a comment below.
Hello! The hardest restaurant to book has been Frantźen and Geranium! Thanks for your tips, we are dying to successfully book the Alchemist but it seems impossible 😣! Best regards Anna Landström
Hope these tips help you – we believe in you!
In The Hungries, people are sharing tables together at the most difficult restaurants all the time. We also host food tours from time to time that you can join. Alchemist was on our tour last fall, and Frantzén will be on the next one! 🙂
How to book for 1 person is the biggest question. Unfortunately, they do not welcome us who like to eat and travel alone.
Another great reason to join The Hungries! Lots of our community members and fellow solo diners are ready to join in on meals like this with you 😉
Hello, I also am a solo diner who wants to experience this magnificence. I would be happy to partner up on a pair of tickets. I’m in the US so will require some advance notice for travel arrangements. Let me know if interested. [email protected]
Hi Michelle, sounds like you should definitely join The Hungries! There is currently one seat open at an Alchemist table in April, and two seats open at the end of June with our members. Hope you join the club!
I was in a waiting list for Alchemist, and they send me an email two days ago, and I am going today!!! (I was lucky to be this week in Denmark). I also went to Noma and Celler de Can Roca thanks yo waiting lists!!
That’s awesome! 😀