Winning events this Melbourne Cup
Your crowning long lunch is racing this way. As office buildings empty for an afternoon of fascinators, bubbles, and hot-to-trot live racing, Brisbane’s premium dining venues will treat guests to a line-up of Melbourne Cup events.
Our tip? Don’t get left in last place – your table is waiting.
BAR ALTO
The waterfront icon of luxury will host its own Melbourne Cup lunch this November 7. The charms of Brisbane’s Powerhouse will draw guests in for an afternoon of live race coverage, sweeps, prizes, and the famous a la carte menu – think shared pots of mussels, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, and riverside Aperol Spritz.
Bookings: (07) 3358 1063
BILLYKART
Ben O’Donoghue’s fare with flair meets the social event of the season this November 7. Billykart West End and Billykart Kitchen will each host a long lunch to remember, boasting three courses and three hours of free-flowing sips. Seats at the central West End space will run for $85pp, showcasing live racing, sweeps, and lucky door prizes. Lunch at Annerley’s Billykart Kitchen can be booked for $75pp.
CHOP CHOP CHANG’S
Swing on over to West End for a Melbourne Cup feast fit for King Kong. The team at Chop Chop Chang’s is serving up two chef’s selection banquets – just tell them how hungry you are. You’ll score four courses of pan-Asian flavours for $39pp, or up it to six courses for $59pp. They’re not monkeying around: you’ll enjoy a drink on arrival, too.
Bookings: (07) 3846 7746
DARLING & CO
The home of ritzy summer cocktails and pre-event dinners will open its doors with a flourish this race day. Known for its stunning fit-out and lavish dishes, Darling & Co is ushering diners in for two separate Melbourne Cup packages – one, a stand-up social experience; the other, an all-out lunchtime affair.
For $179pp, you’ll enjoy cocktails, canapés, and a live risotto station, with $219pp saving you a table throughout the afternoon, paired with a three course seafood feast. Both packages include DJ tunes, live coverage, and four hours of spring cocktails, Veuve, and other tipples.
Buy your tickets here.
IL VERDE
Say ciao to the office – all roads lead to race day on Bowen Hills’ King Street. Il Verde’s serving up Melbourne Cup with a side of Italian style this November 7, and you’ll definitely want a pizza the action. Guests will indulge in three shared courses, with antipasto, pizza, and gelato among the headliners. The afternoon includes live coverage and three hours of Italian wine and spritz cocktails, all for just $99pp.
Bookings: (07) 3638 0494
LIBERTINE
Dress in your race day best for an afternoon of lavish flavours at Libertine. Set in The Barracks, you’ll be saying ‘ooh la la’ to eight shared courses of French-Vietnamese delicacies. The special banquet runs for just $89pp, or $99pp with a glass of Perrier-Jouet – race in from 11.30am.
Bookings: (07) 3367 3353
THE CAXTON HOTEL
Few spaces are more iconic than Queensland’s Caxton Hotel; and Brisbane tradition will pair with a nation-wide ritual for this year’s Melbourne Cup. The trademark yellow building will draw crowds for a four course sit down lunch on Brisbane’s Caxton Street for only $59pp (or $55pp for groups of 10+). Diners will be treated to an afternoon of live entertainment, prizes, sweeps, and Queensland-styled celebrations.
Bookings: (07) 3369 5544
THE PINEAPPLE HOTEL
The Piney’s switching those pub parmies for a day of bubbly and top-tier fashion as they roll out a special three course lunch. Designed as the laid-back escape for office workers and tradies, this long-loved pub is offering up lunch and three hours of drinks for just $99pp. Pining for entertainment? They’ll have best dressed prizes and sweeps on the day.
Bookings: (07) 3393 1111