Sydney Eat Street: Melbourne Cup day celebrations across the city
Covid-19 was the pandemic that stopped the nation. Now it’s time to start it back up with a stop we don’t mind taking: The Melbourne Cup.
Eat Street
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eat Street. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Melbourne Cup race may only run for a few minutes on the first Tuesday in November — but Sydney is ready to celebrate. Here are some places to go to enjoy the big race with some great food and cheeky beverages.
Take a tour of Sydney’s best eateries right here with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram or Twitter. #SydneyEatStreet
The Streets of Barangaroo
The metaphorical gates are open and Sydneysiders are off and running to The Streets of Barangaroo, the Flemington Straight of waterfront food precincts. It’s anyone’s pick here, with dining options for every type of punter.
At one end is Cirrus Dining, with its elegant seafood-dominant share-style menu ($140pp) that starts with a glass of NV Louis Roederer Champagne. Around the corner is The Meat & Wine Co, a premium steakhouse that will offer several set-menus and beverage packages and sweep and best-dressed prizes.
Further along, is Anason with its modern Turkish feast ($165pp) and BóRN by Tapavino for a Spanish tapas-style lunch ($135pp) and a variety of drinks packages.
Modern Japanese restaurant, Zushi has a nine-course share menu ($99pp) and sweeps and prizes, including Zushi vouchers for best dressed.
For those feeling truly indulgent, Zushi is also offering a magnum of Henri Abele for $150.
So whether you’re after something extravagant or just heading out for afternoon tea and a flutter, these streets are the place to be.
— Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo; thestreetsofbarangaroo.com
Mr Wong
The barriers will be full at Mr Wong on Melbourne Cup day and executive chef Dan Hong couldn’t be happier.
“At Mr Wong, we’re serving up a delicious Cantonese style Melbourne Cup feast, and we’re so excited to welcome Sydneysiders back into the restaurant for what could be their first long lunch or dinner out in months,” he says.
“After the year we’ve had, it is the perfect day to reconnect with colleagues and friends, get dressed up and celebrate together over great food and drinks.”
At Merivale’s hatted Cantonese restaurant, the lunch begins with a glass of 2012 Veuve Clicquot or Kirin Ichiban on arrival, followed by a shared banquet with a menu befitting Hong’s many accolades.
First to hit the table is a selection of premium dim sum, including prawn toast with foie gras and sesame; and lobster dumplings with Siberian caviar followed shortly after that with larger plates of yellowfin tuna kohlrabi, ginger and leek glacier 51 toothfish, and 9+ Wagyu striploin with “Shandong Style” soy, chilli, shallot dressing ($250pp).
Bookings for lunch are available from 11.45am, and if you’re looking to carry on your winning streak, evening bookings are from 6pm.
There are also a number of casual and formal restaurants under the Merivale umbrella, so head to their site for further details.
— 3 Bridge Lane, Sydney; merivale.com.au
The Star
Flemington has the Birdcage, Sydney has The Star. It’s an adult’s playground on Melbourne Cup day with easy access to TAB facilities, food, drinks and grown-up fun.
You’ll even see a veritable parade of racing fashions — be it frilly frocks and polished suits or casual attire with comfy shoes.
When you’re ready to grab a bite, your options are equally diverse, ranging from the obvious choice — 24/7 Sports Bar with its mega LED screens and $500 bar tab tables to full-fledged dining that starts with a glass of Moët & Chandon at The Star’s signature restaurants: premium Japanese fare featuring faves from executive chef Chase Kojima at recently renovated, Sokyo ($160pp); a decadent sea-inspired feast at Flying Fish ($145pp); wood-fired steak and seafood at BLACK Bar & Grill ($190pp); and authentic Italian fare at Cucina Porto ($96pp). Winners all around.
— 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont; star.com.au/sydney
‘Your Local’: ClubsNSW
ClubsNSW has the full field covered on Melbourne Cup day — from all corners of the state and everywhere in between, just hop on their site to find “Your Local”.
While you are indeed supporting a local business, you’re the real winner as more and more venues are turning to renowned chefs to create club menus, be it in the main restaurant or adjoining coffee shop, and they’re pulling out all the stops for Cup day.
At the Kirribilli Club, not only do you get a stellar view of the Harbour Bridge, live entertainment, prizes, and sweeps, you get a four-hour drinks package and adjacent three-course meal from Watergrill, their onsite restaurant overseen by Dedes Group (Flying Fish, Deckhouse).
Further north, The Alcott Lane Cove (sister venue of award-winning The Greens North Sydney), a renovated cottage that became the Lane Cove Businessmen’s Club, has a three-course modern Mediterranean menu with a generous antipasto board, tempura cauliflower, slow-roast black Angus sirloin and seared Tasmanian salmon plus big screens, sweeps and best-dressed prizes. Or head south for a three-course meal at Mollymook Golf Club, winners of the Southern Tableland’s Perfect Plate award presented by celebrity chef Manu Feildel.
With so many options, it’s a safe bet you’ll find a place that suits your Melbourne Cup needs.
The Royal Richmond Hotel
Suit, ties, and fascinators are not required at The Royal Richmond Hotel, one of the country’s oldest pubs, but after four months of tracksuit pants and oversized T-shirts, they aren’t a bad choice if the Melbourne Cup is your first-up run after a lockdown spell.
Head to the sun-drenched bistro for a share-style menu featuring pub classics and local produce from the Hawkesbury region or gussy up for a seat in the cocktail lounge with $10 Cup cocktail specials.
There’ll also be special Cup day dishes plus sweeps and best-dressed prizes. Doors open at 10am.
— 163 Windsor Street, Richmond; theroyalrichmondhotel.com.au
Albi’s Taverna
Enjoy the outdoors with an all-day celebration of Italian food and bottomless drinks in the leafy courtyard of Albi’s Taverna in Cronulla. Guests can choose dishes straight off their ala carte menu or opt for Albi’s bottomless lunch ($89pp).
— 1-2/1 Ocean Grove Ave, Cronulla Beach; albistaverna.com.au
Aria
Celebrate the race that stops the nation with a view that could stop traffic. Enjoy a four-course lunch and a glass of Ruinart Champagne all while gazing out at one of the most stunning views of Sydney Harbour ($250pp).
— 1 Macquarie St, Sydney; ariasydney.com.au
Avoca Beach House
With a 180-degree view over Avoca Beach, a four-course menu with a welcome drink on arrival and sweepstakes, no matter which horse you back, you’re already a winner ($95pp).
— 3/85 Avoca Dr, Avoca Beach; avocabeachhouse.com.au
Bentley Restaurant + Bar
A CBD favourite, Bentley Restaurant + Bar will be offering a four-course menu that starts with housemade bread with chickpea miso butter followed by Murray cod and white asparagus, then finishing off with white chocolate mousse, mango and passion fruit for dessert ($140pp; optional wine pairing an additional $80pp).
— 27 O’Connell St, Sydney; thebentley.com.au
Carbon
If your version of celebrating contains bottomless margaritas, Carbon, Mexican Woodfire Restaurant in Bondi is calling your name. For Melbourne Cup, enjoy two hours of all-you-can-eat tacos with bottomless margaritas, rose, and beer ($100pp). There’ll be two sittings on the day – 11am for those who wish to start early, and 2pm for those keen to catch the race on Carbon’s big screen TV.
— 288 Bondi Rd, Bondi; carbonmexican.com.au
Cirrus Dining
Situated along the waterfront esplanade at Barangaroo, this award-winning restaurant will be offering a seafood-predominant shared style menu. The meal begins with a glass of NV Louis Roederer Champagne scallop dumplings with sweet onion milk and buckwheat, rainbow trout with trout roe butter and horseradish and 300g Rangers Valley Black Tyde striploin and red wine jus on arrival to kick it off. ($140pp).
— 23 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo; cirrusdining.com.au
El Camino Cantina – The Rocks
Ay, caramba! Get your Tex-Mex fix on Cup Day with a two-hour (1pm-3pm) package that includes all the faves that make El Camino Cantina a go-to destination for fun. Listen to live music, DJs and catch the races on the big screens while sipping on margaritas and snacking on their famous spicy buffalo and BBQ chicken wings, tacos, nachos, and naked burrito bowls, then finishing off with churros and sweet dipping sauces ($89pp).
— 18 Argyle St, The Rocks; elcaminocantina.com.au
Fratelli Fresh – Darling Harbour
Embrace the outdoors in Darling Harbour as Fratelli Fresh will transform their spacious alfresco dining area into an epic Melbourne Cup Lawn Party with a three-hour, four-course, share-style lunch, and drinks package ($125pp). From 12pm-3pm, there’ll also be DJs, live music, prizes, and pop-up bars serving spritzers, Frosé, wines, bubbles and beers and large screen TVs to watch the big race.
— 14 Darling Dr, Darling Harbour; fratellifresh.com.au
Ni Hao Bar
The race is in Flemington, but you’ll feel half a world away at Ni Hao, a CBD bar inspired by the nightclub and cocktail scene of Hong Kong in the 80s. Walk inside, and you’re welcomed with retro flashing neon lights, murals of Bruce Lee and a menu that features such dishes as Peeking Duck Toasties, Curly Fries, and Ni Hao Bao. For Melbourne Cup, enjoy a lunch banquet from 12pm-3pm, as well as race-themed games and prizes ($88).
— 388 Pitt St, Sydney; nihaobar.com.au
Queen Chow
For an unforgettable Cantonese banquet with a glass of Veuve Clicquot NV or Furphy on arrival, Queen Chow is a must ($140pp), plus you can kick on into the evening with reservations from 6pm.
— 2/167 Enmore Rd, Enmore; merivale.com
Quarterdeck
Spend the afternoon at this recently refreshed seaside shanty with a menu that showcases the bounty of the south coast. Pop in for Cup Day and enjoy a share menu of house favourites, including their signature cocktail Tiki 75 ($80pp).
— 13 Riverside Dr, Narooma; merivale.com
Riley St Garage
Get revved up and dressed up for an afternoon of food, fashion and fun at this former garage turned chic, sun-filled bar, and restaurant. You’ll receive a glass of Champagne on arrival, followed by an eight-course banquet feast, prizes for Best Dressed, sweepstakes and large screens to follow the action ($115pp; optional three-hour drinks package an additional $60pp).
— 55 Riley St, Woolloomooloo; rileystgarage.com.au
The Argyle
It’s been a while, but party-central is back and ready to get racy in their expansive forecourt turned lavish “Garden Party”. Befitting the outdoor setting is a two-hour (12pm-2pm) picnic-style feast with accompanying drinks package decked out as a plush floral oasis for an indulgent Garden Party. Take advantage of a two-hour picnic-style feast with accompanying drinks package. Afterwards, linger longer for the big race on the big screen ($99).
— 18 Argyle St, The Rocks; theargylerocks.com
The Grand – 30 Knots
Hit up this maritime-themed pub for some no-fuss fun – just good food and good times. Starting with a glass of Chandon NV or a Furphy on arrival, follow that up with a set menu ($80pp), then kick on with afternoon reservations from 4.30pm.
— Level 1, The Grand Hotel, 30 Hunter St, Sydney; merivale.com
Winter warmers to celebrate the season
Everyone is happy to see the sun peeking through the clouds, but winter’s not all bad. Bid farewell to the colder days with one last hurrah of warming fare.
Sniffing out Sydney’s best truffle desserts
Save the best for last. As truffle season comes to a close, be sure to indulge in some sweet treats featuring the annual earthy gem.