The Gold Coast’s best places to drink and dine for Melbourne Cup

The race that stops a nation is almost here. We’ve found five of the best events to catch the action and let your ponytail down.

The race that stops a nation is almost here. Amber Macpherson has found five of the best events on the Gold Coast to catch the action and let your ponytail down.

Gold Coast Turf Club

Racecourse Drive, Bundall

Gold Coast Turf Club has a number of lunch events for Melbourne Cup.

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You can’t beat the excitement of the Gold Coast Aquis Park Turf Club on Melbourne Cup Day. The racetrack hosts its own races throughout the day while three restaurants deliver winning food and drink packages. “We go from The Dome right through to the Event Centre, from more of a cocktail seating party atmosphere to sit down-style dining,” Turf Club marketing manager Anne Reynolds says. “For the general admission we have Fashions on the Field, and then all kinds of picnic table seating options and food and bars beside the track. From an eating point of view, Skyline Restaurant is always our top pick. It’s right in front of the finishing post, and the chef pulls out the big guns on the menu.” Tickets start at $15 for general admission or $180 for the Event Centre, with table packages available at Skyline and Gallery restaurants.

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The Star Gold Coast

Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Stephanie Purser at Ninteen ahead of the Melbourne Cup party. Picture: Jerad Williams

Indoors or alfresco, a casual drink or fine dining — the choice is yours at The Star Gold Coast. With five venues hosting separate events, choosing a Melbourne Cup party will be harder than choosing your fascinator. Restaurants Cucina Vivo, Garden Kitchen and Bar, Nineteen at The Star and Harvest Buffet are all serving select menus on the day, while the Sports Bar Terrace will offer a drinks and canapes package. Prices start from $101.90 at the Sports Bar including a two hour food and beverage package, going up to $300 a head at Nineteen at The Star if caviar and champagne is more your taste.

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Pink Flamingo

88 Surf Pde and Victoria Ave, Broadbeach

Broadbeach Pink Flamingo is hosting a huge Melbourne Cup party.

Think pink for Melbourne Cup this year and book a ticket at Broadbeach’s new party palace. The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub will host a Cup cocktail party from 11am, featuring canapes, drinks and pop-up performances from actors of the venue’s resident show Sauve. All the action of the race will be streamed on the 10m onstage screen, able to be seen from every corner of the club. Giddy up for the after-party at 3pm when the doors open to the public. Tickets start at $69 with one drink on arrival or $99 including a four-hour beverage package.

Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort

158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa is hosting its annual Melbourne Cup lunch in the Grand Ballroom.

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This resort has been hosting Cup luncheons for more than 20 years, so a champion afternoon is guaranteed. Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa will welcome more than 300 people to its Grand Ballroom for a stylish soiree on November 5, featuring a three-course meal and drinks package, fashion show, best dressed competitions, sweepstakes and live music. Lisa Brown will present her latest collection inspired by spring while Musique entertains guests. The event will raise money for children’s charity Variety Queensland. Nearby, the resort’s seafood restaurant Citrique will also host a Melbourne Cup do, with the option of indulging in a pescetarian or traditional high tea. The festivities continue at Chapter and Verse Bar and Lounge with the afterparty kicking off at 3.30pm. Tickets for the Ballroom Luncheon are $149.

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Ristorante Fellini

74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach

Ristorante Fellini's Saltimbocca Di Pollo - chicken breast wrapped in prosciutto.

Fashion, fun and fine fare awaits at Ristorante Fellini’s Melbourne Cup Luncheon. For $75 punters will be treated to a three-course meal including entrees, an option of one of three mains and a dessert of lemon and strawberry panna cotta, with a fashion parade taking place before the big race. “We enjoy hosting our Melbourne Cup Luncheon every year — the restaurant fills up with sophisticated people who have a love of quality food and always get into the spirit of the occasion,” Fellini co-owner Carlo Percuoco says. Tickets are already selling fast so make sure to book soon.