Saddle up – we’ve found the best places to spend Melbourne Cup in Brisbane
The Melbourne Cup is galloping towards us and we’ve compiled a handy guide to keep you in the know of all the festivities, soirees and long lunches happening across Brisbane. Don your finest fascinator and saddle up for an afternoon of delicious eats and flowing drinks on Tuesday November 5. Here’s all Brisbane has in store …
Agnes Restaurant, Fortitude Valley: The flame-fuelled eatery will be heating up this race day with a shared set menu, paired with champagne, signature cocktails, beer and wine. Whilst screening all the race-day action and hosting fashions on the field and sweeps, Agnes will be serving up a stellar selection of its award-winning menu from spanner crab tartelette and smoked spatchcock. Book here.
Bisou Bisou, Fortitude Valley: On Tuesday November 7, French-inspired restaurant and aperitivo bar Bisou Bisou will be hosting a race-day soiree. Experience Bisou Bisou’s a la carte menu as well as a special champagne and charcuterie package with a four-hour beverage package that’s perfect to gaze at while taking in every moment of the trackside excitement. Grab your tickets here.
Blackbird Bar & Grill, Brisbane City: If you’re itching to be in the centre of the action this Melbourne Cup, you can’t beat Blackbird’s two-level riverside locale as your party spot. The venue is hosting two events, both offering stunning views of the Story Bridge and the Brisbane River, as well as free-flowing champagne, cocktails, spirits, wine and beer. The Riverside Soiree will boast live music and entertainment, plus delicious canapes, a grazing table and a three-and-a-half-hour premium beverage package. The Cup Luncheon, which will be held in Blackbird’s elegant events space, will offer a three-course menu that’s set to impress as well as a four-hour drinks package. Find out more here.
Ciao Papi, Brisbane City: This Howard Smith Wharves eatery and bar is celebrating Cup Day with an all-inclusive riverfront Italian feast. Tuck into a delicious three-course experience, stacked with plenty of palate-pleasing plates such as local burrata, gnocchi amatriciana, veal arrosto, house-made tiramisu and more. Italian-inspired drinks will be flowing as well thanks to a three-and-a-half-hour beverage package. There will be plenty to keep you entertained including Fashions on The Deck, race-day sweeps and large screens to view all the action. Secure a spot here.
Cloudland, Fortitude Valley: One of Brisbane’s pre-eminent party palaces is going all in for its Melbourne Cup celebrations. You’re invited to pick your own Melbourne Cup adventure as Cloudland hosts a variety of soirees to suit a number of price points. Soak up fresh brews and views at the Valley Hops Rooftop Pavilion, raise a glass at a lavish sit-down lunch at the Rose Room or up the ante on your Melbourne Cup experience with Perrier Jouët and pearls in the Moon Room. You can get the full rundown and ticket prices here.
Donna Chang, Brisbane City: Blush-hued inner-city neo-Chinese restaurant Donna Chang will be getting into the race-day spirit with a deluxe soiree, featuring an eleven-plate banquet as well as a three-and-a-half hour beverage package boasting champagne, spirits, cocktails and premium wines. In addition to coverage of the big race, Donna Chang is partnering with MS Queensland for Charity Sweepstakes. Ticket details can be found here.
Emporium, South Bank: Emporium Hotel’s Frangipani Ballroom will be transformed on November 5 into its annual Melbourne Cup Luncheon. Beyond the lively entertainment, exciting sweepstakes and fashion competitions, you can catch the race on one of the three 4-m-wide screens whilst enjoying a two-course alternate drop lunch. The beverage package will be shaking up cocktails as well as Mumm champagne, premium wine and tap beer. The event is held in support of the Mater Foundation – secure your seats here.
FOSH, Hamilton: Don your finest frocks and head to Portside Wharf’s seafood-centric restaurant FOSH for race day on the riverfront. Indulge in belly-pleasing banquets alongside beats from 2:30–6:00 pm, best-dressed prizes and live coverage straight from Flemington. For $180 per person enjoy a banquet filled with the likes of grilled hokkaido scallops, lobster ravioli, wagyu sirloin and passionfruit pavlova. Jump over here to grab your tickets.
Supernormal, Brisbane City: The sibling site of beloved Melbourne-born pan-Asian restaurant, Supernormal opened in the heart of The City last month. For its first Melbourne Cup, the restaurant will be serving a bespoke four-course menu including its signature New England lobster roll, Wagyu striploin and a Valrhona chocolate dessert. Dishes will be served alongside a curated four-hour beverage package, as well as sweepstakes and stunning views. Book your seat here.
Gerard’s, Fortitude Valley: hereWell known for its iconic Melbourne Cup events, James Street’s Gerard’s is celebrating this year with a Middle Eastern long lunch. From 12:00–4:00 pm, guests will be treated to a Levantine banquet brimming with signature Gerard’s dishes and a plethora of local seafood. The all-inclusive soiree will also include free-flowing Louis Roederer champagne, signature cocktails, wine, beer and spirits. Secure your table .
Greca, Brisbane City: Greca will be kicking off its cup day with a complimentary Karpouzi Spritz before serving up a delicious banquet menu. Designed to be shared, the cup day feast is stacked with Greca favourites like the pickled octopus, oven-baked lamb shoulder and an indulgent katoumari dessert. The cup day banquet is served with a two-hour drinks package. Book here.
Longwang, Brisbane City: Down a slender alleyway space off Edward Street in The City, you’ll find Longwang, one of The City’s newest pan-Asian eateries. On November 5, Longwang will have three banquets on offer, starting at just $38 per person. Beyond the delicious plates, you can also enjoy a complimentary glass of French bubbles on arrival with a live DJ and an afterparty as well. Find out more via the Longwang website.
Fatcow on James St, Fortitude Valley: The James Street-based steakhouse will be celebrating with a day of festivities. Enjoy a complimentary glass of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and your choice of a la carte or set menu whilst a live DJ spins some fresh tunes. On the menu, indulge in the likes of freshly shucked oysters, a Wagyu tasting experience and basque cheesecake. Book now.
Madame Wu, Brisbane City: Head to Brisbane’s beloved riverside eatery Madame Wu for a Melbourne Cup soiree that is sure to give Flemington a run for its money. For $150 per person you can enjoy a three-course banquet including fresh oysters, smoked ocean trout, wagyu dumplings and gold-band snapper – just to name a few – paired with a glass Mumm on arrival. There will also be sweeps and best-dressed prizes on the day, ensuring you feel as close to all of the action as possible. Head here to book.
Massimo Restaurant & Bar, Brisbane City: Experience the taste of Amalfi on Eagle Street while you enjoy all of the race-day action. Enjoy an exquisite menu which will feature fresh, house-made pasta and focaccia alongside ocean-caught seafood and farm-fresh meat, accompanied by a two-hour beverage package. For Melbourne Cup, Massimo you will have the choice of two banquets – a Bottomless Melbourne Cup Banquet at $130 per person and the Signature Bottomless Melbourne Cup Banquet at $150 per person. Head here book a spot.
Opa Bar and Mezze, Brisbane City: Celebrate Melbourne Cup with a Greek feast by the river at Opa. With three banquet options available, you can choose to sit in the restaurant or by the bar and dig into a sumptuous spread including the likes of chargrilled octopus, feta saganaki, keftedes, lamb ribs and lemon potatoes. A live DJ will be kicking off at 2:30 pm to party the night away after the main event. Skip over here to book a spot.
Persone, Brisbane City: Immerse yourself in a truly mouth-watering Italian dining experience this Melbourne Cup at Persone. Hosted by Channel Nine’s Jonathan Uptin, this luxe soiree includes a delicious four-course banquet and three-hour beverage package including the likes of house-made focaccia, half an individual lobster, lamb shoulder and tiramisu. Plus take part in a loaded line-up of thrilling race-day entertainment featuring fashions on the field, sweeps and all of the live action on the big screen. Tickets are $199 per person and can be secured by trotting over here.
Phoenix Brisbane, Brisbane City: Craving a Chinese feast on Melbourne Cup day? Look no further than Brisbane Phoenix, serving a sumptuous selection of a la carte dishes including fresh seafood, classic Chinese plates and yum cha, alongside all of the race-day coverage. If you’ve got a larger group, Phoenix has two luxurious private dining roos available to hire for the day. Head over here to make your reservation.
Rich & Rare, West End: Inspired by the steakhouses of Manhattan, Rich & Rare beckons you to add a touch of cosmopolitan flair to your race day. The West Village-based restaurant will be celebrating with a complimentary glass of Moet on arrival and both the R&R Experience Banquet and the a la carte menu on offer for dining. Dress to impress for a shot at the best-dressed prizes and head to the bar for the afterparty from 2:30 pm. Bookings can be made here.
Riverbar and Kitchen, Brisbane City: Riverbar and Kitchen are going bigger and better than ever at this year’s Melbourne Cup. Rally your crew and saddle up for an exciting day of mouth-watering food, delicious drinks and all of the race-day action on the big screens with two dining packages on offer. Be sure to don your finest frock and most stylish suit as there will be prizes for best-dressed and sweeps to be won. Tickets are galloping out the gates, so head here to secure yours.
sAme sAme Restaurant, Fortitude Valley: Eda Lane’s pan-Asian eatery will be hosting a fleet of race day festivities. The shared banquet will include the likes of the sAme sAme chicken burger, Moreton Bay bug red curry and a duck egg custard dessert. The feast is paired with your choice of champagne, signature cocktails, beer and wine as well as all the action on the big screens. Book here.
Sokyo, Brisbane City: The flagship restaurant of The Star Brisbane, Sokyo has turned heads with its pioneering dining experience of Japanese cuisine. For race day, the newly opened restaurant will be bringing a theatrical journey to your celebrations – serving up a decadent four-course Japanese feast. The delicate array of dishes will be paired with a three-hour premium beverage package, live entertainment and a guest MC. Book here.
Southside, South Brisbane: Fish Lane favourite Southside will be hosting its Cup Day Banquet, which features a five-course menu, jam-packed with Southside delicacies. On the menu, you’ll find freshly shucked oyster to Northern-style pulled lamb shoulder and more, paired with a four-hour package of bottomless house cocktails, spirits, extended wine and beer selections as well as an afterparty and cash bar at Kiki from 3:30 pm. Check out all the important details (including booking info) here.
Stanley, Brisbane City: Stanley head chef Louis Tikaram is pulling out all the stops for Melbourne Cup 2024, assembling a delectable four-course banquet. Expect palate-pleasing plates such as Moreton Bay bug spring rolls, roast five-spice duck san choy bao, wood-grilled premium wagyu beef and the young coconut tart, paired with a three-and-a-half-hour beverage package including Louis Roederer champagne and a cocktail on arrival. Get a ticket here before they’re all snatched up.
Tenya, Brisbane City: Seafood fans should flock to Brisbane Quarter’s Tenya for a Japanese feast. Enjoy a three-hour drinks package with an abundant seafood Japnese seafood buffet, stacked with fresh oysters, prawns, steamed mussels, sashimi salads, sushi rolls and more whilst you watch all the action on the big screen. Book here.
Tillerman, Brisbane City: If you want a great view to go along with your Cup Day shenanigans, head to Tillerman. This riverside restaurant is serving a seven-course banquet showcasing its finest dishes, which will be available alongside a three-hour beverage package including French Champagne, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options. Book a spot here.
The Aviary Terrace Bar, Brisbane City: Set your bets and your sights on the Aviary Terrace Bar this Melbourne Cup. Indulge in more than three hours of festivities, including a seafood tower, complete with a glass of Collet Champagne and a live DJ beats, best-dressed prizes, charity sweepstakes and full race-day coverage on the big screen. Head here to secure your spot.
The Jetty, SouthBank: Set yourself up riverside for the race that stops the nation at The Jetty South Bank. Don your finest attire and treat yourself to a custom four-course meal including fresh oysters, whole baby barramundi and char-grilled lamb rack, just to name a few. Spots are filling up fast, so head here to book a table.
The Regatta, Toowong: Celebrate Melbourne Cup by the Brisbane River at the iconic The Regatta Hotel. With two events on offer at different price points, you can indulge in three hours of tasty treats and tipples while taking in all of the race-day action. Secure a spot at the exclusive Cup Day Boatshed Luncheon and enjoy three courses created by The Boatshed’s head chef Lochlan Alexander, alongside an all inclusive beverage package. The Regatta’s Winterford Room is also hosting a Melbourne Cup event featuring three hours of roaming canapes, grazing boxes and premium booze. Find our more here.
Yamas Greek + Drink, West End: Say ‘Opa!’ this race day with a Greek feast at West End taverna Yamas. With a menu inspired by the seaside town of Thessaloniki, Yamas will be home to plenty of satiating plates to help you celebrate – think golden sagankai, char-grilled souvla and lemon potatoes. Kick off your day with a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival and choose from two set menus. Make your booking here.
Yoko, Brisbane City: This Howard Smith Wharves restaurant offers a slice of Japan’s lively izakaya culture backdropped by sweeping river views. Settle in for your race day festivities at Yoko and tuck into a banquet feast, complete with delicacies like miso-glazed eggplant, charcoal chicken and miso caramel soft serve as well as a Yuzu Spritz on arrival and a two-hour beverage package. Book your spot here.
For more Melbourne Cup events, be sure to check our Event Guide!
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