There’s something irresistibly romantic about an afternoon tea with a bit of drama, and The Great Gatsby Afternoon Tea at the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane serves it by the tiered tray. Inspired by The Great Gatsby, the Musical, think roaring twenties elegance with a side of truffle, all set within one of London’s most iconic Art Deco spaces.
Walking into the Palm Court feels like stepping through a portal into 1920s Mayfair. Gilded ceilings, marble pillars, soft jazz in the background, it’s opulence without pretence. The kind of place you want to linger, sip slowly, and maybe pretend you’re waiting for Gatsby himself to appear behind a palm tree. The limited edition offering makes the perfect pre-theatre treat, but it easily stands alone as a destination experience.
What does the Great Gatsby Afternoon Tea at the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane include?
We began with a rather refined Rockefeller Smoked Salmon Tart, elegant in its simplicity, lifted with dill crème and cucumber pearls. Then came the East Egg Truffle Salad, shaved summer truffle, heritage egg, a dish that whispers Daisy Buchanan with every bite. And, of course, The Gatsby Club, a handsome roast chicken and pancetta sandwich that felt like the culinary equivalent of a three-piece suit – classic, hearty, and just a little bit cheeky.
The sweets were where the storytelling really danced. Lemon & Jazz-mine Meringue Pie had that perfect citrus tang softened by floral notes, delicate but with attitude. Daisy’s Tropical Choux brought the sunshine – passionfruit and exotic fruit crèmeux in a neat, cream-filled package. Then the Roaring Opera: gold-dusted, layered in pistachio and raspberry sponge, unapologetically extravagant and all the better for it.
The standout for me? The Gatsby Forest Gâteau, boozy with kirsch and unashamedly rich. It had all the drama of Gatsby’s parties and none of the regret. Naturally, the scones (plain and raisin) were warm and fluffy, served with jam and clotted cream as tradition insists and oddly always my favourite offering at an afternoon tea. Cream first, if you were wondering.
Whilst the champagne is included with the tea, there are also cocktails available to elevate the whole affair. Gatsby Gold Rush is bold and smoky with WhistlePig Rye and kumquat cordial, more East Egg than West. Green Light Martini, with mint and cucumber-infused gin, is fresh, clean, and subtly symbolic (yes, I saw what they did there). But it was the Flapper’s Fizz that stole the show, raspberry, bubbles, and all the joy of a Champagne toast in a flapper dress. For those going alcohol-free, Daisy’s Delight, a floral mocktail, holds its own beautifully.
What makes this afternoon tea sing is that it isn’t just themed, it’s curated. Every bite, every cocktail, every detail of the setting is working in harmony. It’s not a gimmick, it’s an experience. The Sheraton team clearly took great care to ensure this felt more like a narrative unfolding on a cake stand than a simple menu. Service is attentive and well-paced, and the atmosphere is luxuriously relaxed. You never feel rushed, only gently nudged toward indulgence.
At £65 per person (£85 with Champagne), this tea is excellent value for such a polished and creative offering; you even get bottomless sandwiches. It’s perfect for anyone who loves a little theatre with their tea, whether you’re seeing the show or not. But if you are, the London Coliseum is just a scenic stroll away, ideal for continuing the Gatsby fantasy into the night.
It’s a tea for dreamers, romantics, and anyone who secretly wishes they’d lived through the Jazz Age (without the prohibition bit). Just make sure your phone is charged for all the snaps you’ll take, as this is one experience you’ll want to remember.
Serving until September, book your place now!
