The Melbourne Cup Carnival isn’t just about horses on the track.
Food and drink plays a huge part in keeping the crowds fuelled ahead of a day at the races, with the Victorian Racing Club anticipating to serve more than 400,000 individual canapes across the corporate and restaurant venues on site.
VRC executive general manager of product and innovation Luke Kinniburgh said preparations for the 2027 carnival were already underway — ahead of Derby Day this year.
“A lot goes into that planning and we absolutely need that time,” he said.
“We are thinking ahead for 2027 already.”
Mr Kinniburgh said across the Melbourne Cup Carnival they were expected to:
— Serve 80,000 plated dishes in their on-site restaurants
— Pop 16,000 bottles of champagne
— Pour 400,000 beers
— Serve 30,000 chicken sandwiches throughout the week
— Serve half a tonne of Western Australian lobster
— Shuck 400 dozen oysters per day
A day at the races doesn’t have to be a squeeze. Once you’re at the track there is plenty deliciousness to go around.
Here are our 20 dishes and drinks worth backing at this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.

RUMP STEAK WITH ENTRECOTE SAUCE: $14

Frenchie

Do like the French and enjoy a rump steak smothered in a moss-green herbed butter sauce. Just add fries and champagne. Oui Oui.

Club Lawn

ALPHONSO MINI CAKE: $12.90

Laurent

Cult Melbourne bakery Laurent wants you to have your cake trackside — and eat it too. Our pick is the Alphonso, a sunny Melbourne Cup day yellow coconut and lime sponge, layered with banana cremeux and a vibrant mango and passionfruit gel.

Members Enclosure – The Bakery

LEMON PIE COLD FOAM ICED LATTE: $9

St Remio

The Betting Ring

PISTACHIO MONT BLACK: $12
Mr Black
This Sydney-based company is best known for its coffee liqueur, but as we (try to) keep a straight edge at the races, it’s going back to basics peddling a signature cold brew finished with a creamy pistachio cloud. All buzz, zero booze.
The Elms

HSP HOT CHIPS: $18
Byte My Assets
This is the ultimate post-day at the races snack. Think hot chips, topped with cheese and your choice of chicken, lamb — or both — topped with a squiggle of either garlic or spicy mayo sauce. Napkins required.
The Elms

LANKAN HOT DOG: $12
Lankan Tucker
Curries? Sure. Roti or hoppers? A done deal. But when Carlton’s Sri Lankan cafe Lankan Tucker pulls a hot dog out of its bag? Expect the unexpected. This two-biter snack rests a chicken sausage inside fluffy brioche topped with caramelised onion relish topped with crisps for a textural treat.
The Elms

LIMONCELLO TIRAMISU: $12
Piada Co.
For a portable dessert, Piada Co’s limoncello tiramisu gives you a fresh citrus and caffeine hit to keep you going past the last race. Here traditional savoiardi biscuits are soaked in limoncello, then topped with marscapone cream.
The Park

TRIO OF DIPS: $17.50
Mary and a Little Lamb
Brunswick Greek favourite Mary and a Little Lamb return has prepared the perfect picnic on the lawn platter. Swipe pita in hummus, eggplant and tzatziki dips with friends.
The Betting Ring

YAKI HOT DOG – $18.50
Yakimono
Melbourne high-energy Japanese restaurant Yakimono is giving us an elevated take on the hot dog. Think miso pork sausage with mustard, grilled jalapeño inside a milk bun. Hot diggity dawg.
The Birdcage

NACHOS: $19
Don Julio Hacienda x ClaudetteZepeda
Tequila giant Don Julio and San Diego celebrity chef Claudette Zepeda are teaming up to create a pimped out nacho plate. Think tortilla chips, smashed avocado topped with pico and pork rind, with a side of guacamole salsa.
The Birdcage