Melbourne Cup Carnival 2023: 5 best value eats to try trackside

From smashed cheeseburgers to Nutella and strawberry crepes — here’s our ultimate guide to affordable Melbourne Cup Carnival eats and treats that won’t break the bank.

Kara Monssen

less than 2 min read

October 30, 2023 - 12:00PM

You don’t need to break the bank at this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival, with The Park serving selection of affordable eats. Demi Brereton, Renata Liu, and Giselle Martin at Flemington. Picture: David Caird.

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You won’t need to break the bank at Flemington this Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Both general admission punters and Victorian Racing Club members can feast on a suite of eats and treats in The Park, Club Lawn and VRC areas. Here are the five delicious bites worth backing trackside

Ging Thai’s massaman beef curry.

1. MASSAMAN BEEF CURRY: $22

Ging Thai

Avoid late arvo hangriness at Ging Thai. Crown Melbourne’s favourite southeast Asian hustle slings a lip-tingling beef massaman curry from head chef On Saenyojanr’s arsenal.

Made with sweet potatoes, peanuts, shallots toasted coconut and rice.

The Park

Frankie’s cheeseburger.

2. FRANKIE’S CHEESEBURGER: $23

Meat Frankie

Brunswick East’s smashed burger kings are taking Frankie to Flemington. Expect a smashed beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and special Frankie’s sauce.

If that won’t mop up a day of celebrations, I’m not sure what will.

Club Lawn

Nutella and strawberry sweet crepes

3. NUTELLA & STRAWBERRY SWEET CREPES: $16

The Coffee Mill

St Remio Coffee’s husband and wife power couple Trent Knox and Julia Tink have returned trackside for another tilt at carnival magic. Balance out your oat latte or flat white desires with a sweet look at Nutella and strawberry crepes.

Mr Miyagi’s pan-fried pork dumplings

4. DUMPLINGS: $18.50

Mr Miyagi

Chapel Street’s mod-Asian mainstay Mr Miyagi is peddling its famous pan-fried pork and sweet potato and chive dumplings, alongside a suite of fried and fabulous fodder: MFC (Miyagi fried chicken) and crispy pork belly pancakes.

Club Lawn, Members

Petisco’s salted cod cakes

5. SALTED COD CAKES: $18

Petisco

Crown Melbourne’s new Brazilian joint Petisco makes its Cup Carnival debut. Authentic South American eats are the game, with the bolinho de bacalha (salted cod cakes slicked in a green olive tapenade) the prize. Expect a carnival of tapas-style snacks from Sao Paulo and beyond.

The Park