The Most Epic Melbourne Cup Events Around
Oct 13, 2023
It’s that time of year again! Don your finest apparel and gather your mates together for a celebration like no other with the best Melbourne Cup lunches in Australia. From a luxurious, Modern Chinese-cuisine lunch at Donna Chang (Brisbane) or Albert Park Hotel (Melbourne) to rooftop rendezvous at Captain Baxter (Melbourne) or Jackson’s on George (Sydney), there’s something for every kind of lunch-goer to enjoy.
The early bird gets the worm (or rather, the Melbourne Cup booking), so get in quick to make sure you don’t miss out!
Brisbane
The Osbourne Hotel
Horses, hats, and high-spirited fun abound at the fabulous Osbourne Hotel, one of Brisbane’s best places for a Melbourne Cup lunch!
You and your fellow celebrants will be able to enjoy 4 hours of all-inclusive grazing stations, roaming oysters, canapés, and a range of drink options - G. H. Mumm Champagne, Bombay Citron Pressé gin, Monkey Shoulder whiskey and Patrón margaritas, to name a few. There’s also plenty of entertainment to behold, including Fashions on the field, bands, DJs, and a make-up bar, so you’ll be hard-pressed to have a dull moment.
Price: $195 - $202.38pp
Address: 66 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD, Corner of Ann & Constance Street
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Fosh (Tassis)
Seafood gets a new spin with Fosh, which reimagines modern Australian seafood coupled with a stunning waterside location for the ultimate maritime experience - the perfect place for Melbourne Cup lunches with a dash of Aussie spirit.
In addition to live coverage of the race, bubbles on arrival, and prizes for best dressed (so make sure to bring your A-game when it comes to couture), you’ll have the choice of two banquets, both of which include delectable options like Scallop Crudo, Whipped Taramasalata, and BBQ Market Fish.
Price: $120 - $140pp
Address: Portside Wharf, 3.01/39 Hercules Street, Hamilton, QLD
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Riverbar and Kitchen (Solotel)
This Melbourne Cup day, take yourself and your trusty companions on an adventure to Brisbane’s urban oasis in the city!
Riverbar is here to bring you an epic day of sweeps, prizes, and a three-course meal paired with a complimentary Chandon Garden Spritz. The menu features an array of delicious dishes (crispy snapper fillet with cauliflower purèe and capers salsa, anyone?) for any taste palate, utilising locally sourced fresh produce, with gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options.
Price: $95pp
Address: Riparian Plaza, Promenade Level, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane City, QLD
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Donna Chang (Ghanem)
It’s Melbourne Cup lunch with a lavish twist!
Donna Chang, the place to be in Brisbane for modern Chinese cuisine, is offering up the chance to indulge in a four-course banquet and deluxe four-hour beverage package - which includes Taittinger Champagne, wine, cocktails and spirits).
Luxuriate in style with live coverage, live music, and sweepstakes, all within Donna Chang’s dazzling heritage-listed decor for a touch of class to accompany your best finery and fascinators.
Price: $288pp
Address: 171 George St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
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The Regatta Hotel (AVC) 
If you’re in the mood for a touch of iconic Aussie history to accompany your Melbourne Cup meals, look no further than The Regatta Hotel.
Regatta’s Melbourne Cup lunch comes with a choice: pick from the Level 1 Gala, with a 3-hour food and beverage package, roaming canapes and a food station in the stunning Winterford Room, or the Infamous Boatshed Luncheon - featuring 3 courses created by head chef, Lachlan Alexander, as well as a 3-hour premium beverage package. Make sure you’re dressed to the nines, since there’ll be prizes and sweeps to win!
(Image source: Instagram)
Price: $160 - $195pp
Address: 543 Coronation Drive, Toowong Qld 4066
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The Plough Inn 
One of Brisbane’s most iconic & vibrant gastro pubs, boasting amazing city views and a history beyond compare!
This all-inclusive 3-hour food & beverage package on Level 1 includes roaming canapés, sliders and a grazing table to keep you fuelled, plus all your favourite sips to keep you hydrated! From refreshing beers and bubbly wines to basic spirits and zesty Aperol Spritzes!
Price: $120pp
Address: 29 Stanley St Plaza, South Bank, QLD
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Sydney
Jacksons on George
How does a rooftop celebration for the Melbourne Cup sound? If the answer was ‘fantastic, where do I book?’, then Jacksons on George is the place for you!
Get ready for a fantastic celebration, with beverages, a live DJ, and an array of canapés that’ll make your stomach growl in anticipation - including caviar tartlet and whipped roe, beef tartare with traditional continents and seaweed crackers, mushroom arancini with parmesan and truffle, and mini burgers (feeling hungry yet?).
Price: $200pp
Address: 176 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
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HYDE Hacienda (Pullman Quay Grand)
Your Melbourne Cup lunch will have a whole new look at the HYDE Hacienda, with pops of pink, views of the Harbour Bridge and plenty of greenery.
Bring all your best pals in their finery to a refreshing, luxurious luncheon for the race that stops a nation - while enjoying a Tanqueray cocktail on arrival and from roaming gin trees, roaming canapés, fashions on the field, and other cup day classics.
Price: $99pp
Address: 61 Macquarie Street | Sydney NSW 2000
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Forresters Surry Hills (Applejack)
If you’re looking for unbridled fun, Forrester’s is the place to be. Operating for over 100 years in the heart of the city, they’ve learnt a thing or two about how to throw a party, and their expertise and warmth will be in full force this Melbourne Cup day!
With bright, greenery-filled interiors, you and your lunch companions will be able to catch all of the action with a 3-course shared banquet with a glass of bubbles on arrival, DJs, best-dressed prizes, and loads more.
Price: $80pp
Address: 336 Riley St, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010
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Cabana Bar Sydney (Tilley & Wills)
On Melbourne Cup day, Cabana Bar is turning up the heat! Three and a half hours of fun starts off with an Aperol Spritz or bubbles on arrival, food stations, roaming canapés, and plenty of entertainment. What’s more, the race of the year takes centre stage with the biggest outdoor screen in the CBD.
To enhance the experience, there’s the option of upgrading to a 3.5-hour beverage package for just $79pp - and if you want the party to keep on going, there’s an official after-party right after the race!
Price: $109 - $188pp
Address: 25 Martin Place, Sydney 2000
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The Steyne (Iris)
A fixture of Manly since 1859, Hotel Steyne has recently had a transformation, making Manly’s best rooftop bar even better - and what better way to celebrate than with a Melbourne Cup lunch with stunning beachside views?
Enjoy a 3-course meal and a glass of sparkling on arrival, with plenty of entertainment to keep your spirits high, including James Jensen, Razzle MC, and DJ Sammy Taylor (in addition to all the staples of Melbourne Cup that you know and love!)
Price: $110pp
Address: 75 The Corso, Manly NSW 2095
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Melbourne
Botswana Butchery Melbourne (Good Group)
Starting in New Zealand and making its way over to Melbourne, Botswana Butchery is here to give you a Melbourne Cup lunch to remember, bringing a multicultural experience and a fun, innovative approach to dining.
Start off with a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival before an exquisite 3-course lunch specially curated by culinary director Angel Fernandez - from entrées and mains like Tuna Crudo, 300g Jacks Creek Flat Iron Steak and Harissa Roasted Cauliflower, to Yuzu Brulee Tart or Triple Chocolate Bavarois Slice for dessert, what’s not to love?
Price: $130pp, optional $99 three-hour beverage package
Address: 66 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC. 3000
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Albert Park Hotel (CLH)
Classic style with a modern Chinese twist: Albert Park Hotel is the place to be for anyone looking to add a little zing to their Melbourne Cup celebrations! While watching the race on the big screen, enjoy a glass of TATTINGER on arrival and the delicious cuisine on the Happy Valley banquet menu. Plus, you’ll get a complimentary sweepstakes ticket on arrival and a chance at the best-dressed prize if you turn up in your best threads.
And if you want to keep the fun going, you can enjoy cocktails in the pop-up garden bar, while rocking out to the DJs, well into the evening!
Price: $140pp
Address: 85 Dundas Place Albert Park VIC 3206
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Hophaus (Red Rock)
Hop over to Hophaus for a Melbourne Cup celebration to remember! Taking after the aesthetic of great European Beer Halls, the bar is a cosmopolitan showpiece with stunning views of the Yarra River - the ideal backdrop for enjoying the race!
The canapés include freshly shucked oysters and chicken waldorf sandwiches from the cold selections, vegetarian sliders and prawn skewers from the hot selection, with vanilla brûlée and mini chocolate cakes for those with a sweet tooth. You can also enjoy a 3-hour drinks package (and hopefully a best-dressed or sweepstakes prize!).
Price: $120pp + booking fee
Address: Mid Level, Shop MR5, Southgate Restaurant & Shopping Precinct, Southbank, VIC
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Captain Baxter (Melbourne Hospitality People)
Panoramic views of St Kilda Beach, a seafood-focused menu with subtle Asian influence, and the ideal tropical beach bungalow vibes to boot - is there any wonder why Captain Baxter is one of the best places in Melbourne for enjoying the race?
You and your companions will relish a banquet lunch and two cocktails of your choice while watching on TVs all across the venue, with casual drink booking also available, as well as an afterparty for those wanting to make the most of the experience (accompanied by DJs from 4 - 10 pm!)
Price: $109pp
Address: ST KILDA SEA BATHS,10-18 JACKA BOULEVARD, ST KILDA VIC, 3182
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Studley Boathouse (AVC)
Celebrate Cup Day at the Studley Boathouse, the oldest continually operating public boathouse on the Yarra River! With generations of fun lovers enjoying the boathouse and its stunning natural surroundings, enjoy a bottomless brunch bringing together the perfect mix of old and new at their recently renovated conservatory.
Indulge in the delights of a 2-hour brunch package, including a brunch item per person, fries for the table, and bottomless spritz, beer, wine, mimosas and coffees - the perfect selection to complement all the excitement of the race. There’s also a non-alcoholic package available, so no one needs to miss out on the fun!
Price: $69 - $79pp
Address: 1 Boathouse Rd, Kew VIC 3101
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