A world of flavour awaits at Melbourne Cup Carnival

Over four dazzling days, Flemington Racecourse will host a mouthwatering showcase of Melbourne’s famous dining scene; a sensory overload of culinary creations crafted by a line-up of local and international talent.

From burgers and bubbles to elegant fine dining, every race day from 2 to 9 November is a flavour-packed foodie masterclass. Be sure to pair your best hat with the other essential Melbourne Cup Carnival accessory: a serious appetite.

A party for your palate in The Park

The Park is the heart of the Melbourne Cup celebrations with its massive Live Stage and packed entertainment programme. Here, a flavour-filled family of pop-ups invites your tastebuds to join the party.

New to Melbourne Cup Carnival this year, Bali burger legends BO$$MAN bring their first Australian pop-up to The Park. Expect buns packed with dry-aged chuck steaks, pork cooked low and slow and buttermilk fried chicken - all dowsed in delicious homemade sauces.

Close by, Melbourne’s Ebby Street Food will introduce an irresistible invention: the parmigiana-meets-souvlaki lovechild, ‘parmalaki.’ “Imagine the tastiest chicken parmigiana you’ve ever had and wrap it up in the best souvlaki bread with chips,” says Ebby’s owner Kristian Klein. “We reckon it’ll be a hit.” Ebby will also serve up fish n’ chips, fried chicken and chips and, for the early starters, bacon and egg rolls in the morning.

The Park boasts Melbourne Cup Carnival’s first pop-up from Lygon Street sensation Johnny, Vince & Sam’s – the collab by Johnny di Francesco and the Sooshi Mango comedy trio. Happy punters will savour highlights from the main ristorante’s menu, including veal cotoletta sliders, arancini, and salumi plates with beautiful fresh bread.

With the esteemed company of Mary & a Little Lamb grilling up Greek street food such as tender lamb wrapped in soft souva and share platters of fresh housemade hummus, eggplant, tzatziki and hot pita bread, plus meaty treats from schnitzel maestros You Little Schnit, every mouthful at The Park is a winner.

Entry to The Park is FREE with a General Admission ticket.

Tantalising tastes at the Club Lawn

A Melbourne Cup Carnival general admission ticket unlocks access to a myriad of menus, cult favourites and delicious specials served up daily in party-starting pop-ups with prime views.

The Club Lawn, a high-spirited party enclave at the east end of the Front Lawn, sets Melbourne’s sought-after food operators against a soundtrack of DJs and live entertainment.

Here you’ll find world-class pizzas from Johnny di Francesco’s award-winning 400 Gradi, including the authentic Neapolitan margherita that’s been crowned World’s Best Pizza.

The Club Lawn also offers a chance to sink your teeth into a juicy classic American smash burger from Melbourne burger wizards Meat Frankie, featuring Frank Scardamaglia’s melt-in-the-mouth custom-blended beef patties piled high with fresh fillings and special Frankie sauce between sweet, buttery Martin’s Potato Rolls.

“We’re also doing American hot dogs, classic New York style, with ketchup, mustard and onion,” says Scardamaglia, who’s looking forward to the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“I love the atmosphere. It’s such an all-round good vibe where you can enjoy this great variety of amazing restaurant-quality food.”

More good times and great tastes come courtesy of Windsor’s fun-loving restaurant-bar Mr Miyagi, home of the famous MFC (Miyagi Fried Chicken).

The renowned crowd-pleaser with secret seasoning will be served alongside fried dumplings and owner Kristian Klein’s personal favourite: teriyaki wagyu loaded fries. “We slow-cook brisket for 12 hours until it’s so tender it falls apart,” says Klein. “Then we serve it with fries. It’s super-delicious.”

Entry to The Club Lawn is FREE with a General Admission ticket.

The perfect package

Whether you prefer to sit back and feast or perch and graze, Melbourne Cup Carnival has a hospitality and dining package to tempt you.

Embark on an exhilarating culinary journey with the Skyline Dining Experience, located in the Hill Stand, a decadent five-course degustation served at your exclusive reserved table with lofty views of the Winning Post and city skyline – and a glass of G.H. Mumm to toast the occasion.

A five-course curated lunch with full table service awaits in the timeless elegance of The Rose Room, and a Cup Week favourite, the sleek and chic Makybe Diva Marquee offers a lavish seated three-course lunch.

The Terrace Restaurant will wow punters with a six-course contemporary degustation showcasing the culinary artistry of Flemington’s Executive Chef Josh Pelham, who honed his skills in foodie temples such as North Fitzroy’s acclaimed Matteo.

Gourmet grazing options beckon from all angles at Flemington Racecourse. Lucky’s, (executed by Food & Desire), among the Birdcage’s palatial marquees, is a unique and cool take on a lounge bar and retro Hong Kong chop house, pairing G.H. Mumm Champagne with dim-sum and Asian grazing delights.

Meanwhile, brand new The Favourite is a sport-lover’s feast with food stations amid big screens and live action right on the rails, and the all-inclusive grazing menu and wide range of drinks in the indoor-outdoor Parade Lounge bring you up close to the magnificent thoroughbreds in the Parade Ring.

A World of Excitement Awaits this Melbourne Cup Carnival with tickets starting from $65.