Race Day Lunch: Where to Celebrate Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is the "race that stops a nation," and while it may only last just over three minutes, the Melbourne Cup Lunch has become an Australian tradition. With so many options to choose from, here are our top picks when it comes to 2014 Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday November 4th.

Era Bistro, Brisbane, QLD

Era Bistro serves modern Australian cuisine in an ultra-modern setting. Appropriately located on Melbourne Street, Era is offering three packages for Cup Day. They will be showing live coverage of the day's racing on big screens with sparkling wine on arrival and plenty of sweeps and prizes.

Each lunch package will be seated in one of the venue's three areas. Package options include the Caulfield Package, in the Era Cafe ($65 per person), the Randwick Package in the covered alfresco area ($85 per person) and the Flemington Package in the dining room ($139 per person).

Darlington Estate, Darlington, WA

Darlington Estate, located in Perth Hills, is a restaurant and winery with stunning views of the native bushland. Serving Modern Australian cuisine, Darlington Estate's Melbourne Cup lunch package costs $75 for a three-course meal and sparkling wine on arrival. Dress to impress, as a prize will go to the person wearing the best hat.

Gerard's Bistro, Brisbane, QLD

For those who don't fancy a sit down meal, Gerard's Bistro will be creating a Melbourne Cup extravaganza on the fashionable James Street and in the surrounding laneways. Partying on Cup Day with Gerards Bistro will set you back $180 per person, with Mumm champagne and premium beers, wines and spirits on offer. There will be a food bazaar serving up the food that Gerard's Bistro is famous for. Big screens and fashions on the field will also feature on the day.

Jonah's, Sydney, NSW

Jonah's is a Sydney icon and if you can take your eyes off the magnificent views, they will be showing the big race, hosting a fashion show, giving away prizes and of course serving lunch from the award winning restaurant.

$135 per person will get you a glass of champagne on arrival, a three course lunch and gifts. For $215 per person all of your beverages will be included, too.

dell'Ugo, Brisbane, QLD

dell'Ugo is a modern Italian restaurant located in Brisbane's famous Southbank area. For race day, they will be broadcasting the racing live on plasma televisions with champagne, raffles and a 'best hat' and 'best tie' competition.

A great place to enjoy the festivities and spend the afternoon lunching.

The Botanical, Melbourne, VIC

The Botanical is located next to Melbourne's famous Botanical Gardens and is a spectacular venue. Soak up the Melbourne atmosphere by selecting from one of their packages. They are offering a Melbourne Cup breakfast for $25 per person and a four course lunch menu for $85 per person. Both packages include a glass of champagne.

Post race celebrations are a nationwide tradition and The Botanical will have a live band so that punters can party the night away.

The Trustee, Perth, WA

The Trustee is using its majestic location in the Trustees building in the CBD to host a ticketed event for the race. A three course seated lunch is on offer, with champagne, beer, wine and soft drinks included. Tickets are $99 per person. The racing will be broadcast throughout the venue and there will be sweepstakes and prizes for lucky punters.

There is no shortage of options for Melbourne Cup Day, so no matter where you choose to celebrate, you're bound to have a great day – whether your horse wins or not.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.

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