In the gilded heart of Mayfair, where elegance and history intertwine, The Luxe Resident was recently invited to experience one of the capital’s most evocative new offerings, The Great Gatsby: Only Afternoon Tea! at Sheraton Grand London Park Lane. As a five-star icon with a storied past and a setting that sings of 1920s glamour, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting partner for this official collaboration with The Great Gatsby, A New Musical, now playing at the London Coliseum.
Set within the hotel’s Palm Court, a Grade II listed space and one of London’s last surviving Jazz Age lounges, the afternoon tea is not merely themed, it’s theatrical. From the first course to the final sip, the experience is an immersive tribute to Fitzgerald’s world of longing, extravagance and illusion.
The experience begins with a curated selection of savoury delights, each infused with references to Gatsby’s characters and locales. Noteworthy are the Rockefeller Smoked Salmon Tart, elevated with dill crème and cucumber pearls, the East Egg Truffle Salad, delicately balanced with summer truffle and heritage egg, and the Gatsby Club, a refined take on a classic, layered with roast chicken and pancetta.
The dessert course delivers both spectacle and storytelling. The Lemon & Jazz-mine Meringue Pie offers citrusy brightness with an elegant floral twist, while Daisy’s Tropical Choux is as indulgent as its muse, filled with exotic fruit crémeux and finished with a glossy passion fruit glaze. But it’s the Roaring Opera, dusted in gold and layered with pistachio and raspberry sponge, that most vividly captures Gatsby’s love for drama and display. The Gatsby Forest Gâteau, soaked in kirsch and cloaked in dark chocolate, delivers a final flourish worthy of a black tie soirée.
Warm scones with clotted cream and preserves, alongside a selection of fine teas, or a glass of Champagne, naturally, round off the occasion with aplomb.
No Gatsby gathering would be complete without cocktails, and the hotel’s Palm Court has launched an accompanying drinks menu worthy of the characters who inspired it. The Gatsby Gold Rush, featuring WhistlePig Rye and kumquat cordial, is bold and opulent, much like the man himself. The Green Light Martini, a refreshing blend of mint infused gin and cucumber Lillet, pays homage to Gatsby’s eternal longing. Meanwhile, the Flapper’s Fizz, a sparkling raspberry Champagne creation, channels the carefree spirit of the era’s most stylish women. For those abstaining, Daisy’s Delight, a floral, non alcoholic spritz, is as graceful as its namesake.
With its enviable location opposite Green Park and within strolling distance of the West End, the Sheraton Grand is ideally positioned for those pairing the tea with a performance of The Great Gatsby musical. The production itself, directed by Marc Bruni and choreographed by Dominique Kelley, stars Jamie Muscato, Frances Mayli McCann and Corbin Bleu, and runs until 7 September at the London Coliseum.
As the official afternoon tea partner, Sheraton Grand has achieved something rare: a menu that doesn’t just complement the stage performance, but expands upon it, allowing guests to taste the tension, romance and revelry of Gatsby’s world.
The Great Gatsby: Only Afternoon Tea! is more than a culinary event, it’s a celebration of storytelling, of theatrical flair, and of London’s ability to transport you, just for an afternoon, to another place and time. From the moment you step into Palm Court, you are part of the performance. The food is exquisite, the service polished, and the atmosphere, with its chandeliers, mirrored walls and live piano, utterly enchanting.
For lovers of theatre, fine dining, or simply a well poured Martini, this is a not to be missed experience this season.
Details:
The Great Gatsby: Only Afternoon Tea! is served daily in Palm Court until 7 September 2025.
Prices from £65 per person | Champagne Afternoon Tea £85 | Cocktails from £19.
To book: www.palmcourtlondon.co.uk
For musical tickets: www.londongatsby.com
The Luxe Resident 