When my friend Cristina and I stepped into Park Corner Brasserie at the London Hilton on Park Lane, we were hot, bothered and slightly out of breath. The journey had been a sweaty ten-minute walk from Victoria, and the city was doing its best to melt us into puddles. Within moments of arriving, however, we had been transported somewhere else entirely. Somewhere with island breezes, tropical colours and a host named Riccardo whose kindness could calm the most frazzled of parents. Somewhere Moana herself would absolutely approve of.
This is the newest chapter of the Disney Princess Afternoon Tea, a concept where each year the princesses gather to add a new treasure to their Royal Recipe Book. This summer, Moana takes centre stage, and the experience follows her journey as a Wayfinder dreaming of life beyond the reef. It gives the classic Mayfair afternoon tea a playful island twist, launching ahead of the live-action film release on 10th July, and it is colourful, characterful and beautifully presented, with enough tableside detail to feel properly special. Children are even invited to dress up.
Slip into a Moana dress from Selfridges and suddenly you are not in London, you are sailing straight into a Disney Princess moment, channelling all that bold, free-spirited energy. Tiaras, gowns and brave Wayfinder hearts are thoroughly encouraged, and plenty of little guests had clearly taken the invitation to heart.
The dining room is elegant without being intimidating. You can bring your children without fearing a single side-eye from the waitstaff, and you can linger over your tea without anyone hovering. Riccardo made sure of that. He welcomed us as though we were old friends, settled us into our seats and guided us through the menu with such genuine warmth that Cristina and I kept exchanging little looks of delight. That level of care is rare, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. He checked in on us just the right amount, never intrusive, always smiling, and by the end of the afternoon we wanted to adopt him.
The savouries arrive first, each one a tiny work of art tied to a Disney story. The Cheddar in the Cellar is shaped like a cheese wedge in honour of Gus from Cinderella, stuffed with sweet onion marmalade and proper sharp cheddar. From The Bayou brings a Beyond Meat sandwich with horseradish and dill mousse, its shape inspired by Prince Naveen’s lily pad perch. The Carriage Awaits is a plant-based chicken sandwich with pumpkin and sage mousse, a nod to Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage that tastes far more luxurious than any carriage has a right to.
The Ma Chérie Sandwich layers smoked salmon with cream cheese, delicate and fresh, while the Once Upon a Dream sandwich pairs cool cucumber with cream cheese on soft bread, inspired by Aurora’s forest cottage garden. There are also freshly made Tiana-inspired beignets, warm, pillowy and dusted with sugar, which disappeared from our plates with indecent speed. The Fairest Slice of All, a classic ham and cheese, rounds things off like a comforting hug from Snow White herself.
Then come the sweets, and this is where the Moana story really comes to life, unfolding through a treasure chest of tropical creations that evoke the spirit of the sea and island life. The Heart of Te Fiti pairs matcha biscuit with cream cheese filling and a white chocolate dip, glowing green and lovely on the plate. Taste of the Sea is bright and tangy with passion fruit curd, pineapple compote and lime zest, a proper zingy wake-up for the palate. Island Flowers layers vanilla mousse with strawberry and hibiscus on a shortbread biscuit, floral and creamy and almost too pretty to eat, though we managed. Drop in the Ocean is a coconut mousse with a crunchy chocolate centre, dusted with desiccated coconut, and we both fought over the last bite.
There are also warm Not So Grumpy Apple Pies, cinnamon-spiced and comforting, chocolate truffles served in a glass slipper as If The Shoe Fits, and The Wayfinder Scones, plain and fruit, served in a little canoe with clotted cream and strawberry jam. The canoe. I mean, come on. That is the kind of detail that makes you smile before you have even taken a bite.
We drank our way through the specialty tea list, which is genuinely impressive and deserves its own moment in the spotlight. There is a rare Jersey-grown black tea hand-plucked by the Bartlett family in quantities of just 40 kilograms per year, and a British Grown Green Tea harvested at a mere 25 kilograms per year, both delicate and exquisite. The Chocolate Velvet blend, a Taiwanese Oolong with cocoa, raspberry and crème caramel, tastes like dessert in a cup. For something smokier, the Smoky Mountain Tea brings rose and lime notes, while the Arabian Saffron Chai layers warming spice with sweet dates. There is even a Rare Gyokuro, velvety and umami-rich, best enjoyed in a wine glass and brewed twice to savour its cascading flavours. The teas are steeped properly, served with care, and completely in keeping with the botanical, nature-inspired theme.
For children who want something simpler, there are classic blends like chamomile, peppermint and a creamy hot chocolate.
One lovely touch that makes the experience truly interactive is the royal voting card. Each guest becomes an honorary Princess Consultant and official taste tester, helping decide which enchanting dishes will be written into the next chapter of the Royal Recipe Book. Before you leave, you cast your vote and take home a certificate as proof of your royal role. It is a small but magical detail that had both the children on neighbouring tables and Cristina and me, feeling thoroughly enchanted.
The whole experience is inspired by the natural beauty of neighbouring Hyde Park, which is literally a stone’s throw away. You can eat your body weight in scones and then walk it off among the trees, which is a parenting win of the highest order. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are all available, and halal options too, which is always a massive tick when you are planning a group outing and need everyone catered for without any fuss. The kitchen takes dietary requirements seriously and will confirm everything ahead of your booking.
The adults’ experience is priced at £70 per person and children at £45, with the little ones getting their own version. Yes, it is a proper Park Lane treat, but it feels worth every penny. The attention to detail in the decoration, from the tropical flowers to the way each plate is presented, makes it feel like a special occasion even if you are just there on a random Tuesday afternoon. Cristina and I left feeling as though we had been on a mini holiday, not just a late afternoon tea in central London.
Take your mini Moanas, take your mum friends, take your friend who says she does not like afternoon tea. She will. I promise. And when you go, ask for Riccardo. His kindness is the secret ingredient that makes the whole experience sing.
The Moana themed afternoon tea is available daily from 12.30pm to 7.00pm at Park Corner Brasserie, London Hilton on Park Lane, 22 Park Lane, W1K 1BE. Book ahead via SevenRooms, mention any dietary requirements when you reserve, and do not forget to wear your favourite gown or tiara. The experience was hosted, but the enthusiasm, the laughter and the third scone were entirely my own.
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Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
