Melbourne Cup Lunch in Sydney 2026
Melbourne hosts the actual race, but Sydney throws its own party for it. Every November, restaurants and bars across the city set up race day lunches, complete with big screens, sweeps and best dressed competitions. You can go all out with a harbourside long lunch, or keep it simple with a beachside pub and a glass of Champagne. Here’s where to watch the race in Sydney this year.
Melbourne Cup is on Tuesday 3 November 2026
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Whether you’re organising a work event or just meeting friends for the day, there’s a lunch here to suit. Most Melbourne Cup events include:
- A set lunch menu or canapés
- Drinks packages or a beverage list
- The race shown live
- Sweeps, prizes and best dressed competitions
If you’re planning to go with a group of friends, book early. These events fill up fast. Below is our pick of where to watch the race in Sydney this year.
Melb Cup Trivia: The Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861 and has been held every year since, except during the World Wars
Melbourne Cup Lunch – Circular Quay and The Rocks
For lunch with a water view, these Sydney waterfront venues are worth a look. Most are an easy trip from anywhere in the CBD thanks to good public transport.
Aria
Spend Melbourne Cup at Aria, where uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge set the scene for a long, leisurely lunch.
Choose from the seasonal à la carte or tasting menu, paired with wine from Aria’s list. Dress for the occasion and settle in for the race with the harbour as your backdrop.
When: 3 November 2026, from 12pm to 4pm
Where: 1 Macquarie Street, Sydney
Check the menu or book here
Cruise Bar & Melba
Two ways to spend Cup Day at Cruise Bar. On Levels 1 and 2, settle in for a seated three course shared menu of oysters, prawns, seafood and rump steak, with a three hour beverage package. On Melba’s Rooftop, it’s a standing cocktail style event with roaming canapés and seafood and charcuterie stations, also with a three hour beverage package.
Levels 1 and 2, $150 per person, includes a glass of Moët & Chandon on arrival. Melba’s Rooftop, $175 per person, includes a glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival.
When: From 12pm, Tuesday 3 November
Where: Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay West
Cost: From $150
Jacksons on George
Two venues here for Cup Day. On the open-air rooftop and public bar, the ticket includes a full canapé selection and beverage package, with resident DJs playing from the end of the race until sunset. In Bistro George, it’s a three course shared menu with a glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival, from the same kitchen.
When: Tuesday 3 November
Where: Jacksons on George, 176 George Street, Sydney
Cost: Rooftop and Public Bar $160 per person, Bistro George $175 per person
Melbourne Cup at the Glenmore Hotel
A two course set menu with the race on the big screens, and a free rooftop after party from 4pm with DJs and live music overlooking the harbour.
When: Tuesday 3 November, after party from 4pm
Where: The Glenmore Hotel, 96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
Cost: $109 per person, dessert add-on available for $15pp
Melbourne Cup – Darling Harbour & Barangaroo
Zephyr at the Hyatt Regency
Celebrate Cup Day on the rooftop at Zephyr, overlooking Darling Harbour, with a welcome drink, a 3.5 hour beverage package, and roaming canapés including char siu pork skewers, prawns, Wagyu meatballs and lobster rolls. Live race coverage on three screens, a live DJ and Fashions on the Field prizes.
When: Tuesday 3 November
Where: Zephyr Sky Bar, Hyatt Regency Sydney
Cost: $199 per person, 18+ event, full payment required at booking, tickets non-refundable.
Bungalow 8
Harbourside dining across two levels for Cup Day. The Bungalow Garden package includes a three hour beverage package with a glass of sparkling on arrival, canapés and grazing stations, with a DJ and live band. The Loft package steps it up with Moët & Chandon, an extended wine list, tap spirits and beers, canapés and a seafood station, DJs and live piano.
When: Tuesday 3 November
Where: Bungalow 8, 3 Lime Street, Sydney
Cost: Bungalow Garden $139 per person, Loft $179 per person, private upgrades available for +$20pp with a minimum of 8 people
Callao
Settle in at Callao for Melbourne Cup, with a banquet menu from the kitchen, sweeps running through the day, a beverage package to keep things flowing, and prizes for best dressed.
Gather a group and dress up for the occasion.
When: Tuesday 3 November
Where: Callao, 1/100 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Cost: Not stated on the site, contact the restaurant on (02) 8529 8996
Cardea
Spend Melbourne Cup at Cardea with a French lunch menu, live music, a best dressed competition and the race shown on big screens. Entrees are served to share, with oysters, beef tartare and salmon gravlax.
For mains, choose from tuna with sauce vierge, ratatouille, or wagyu steak with French fries. Finish with crème brûlée or a lemon and lime tartlette.
When: Tuesday 3 November 2026, 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Where: Cardea, Barangaroo
Cost: $105 per person, upgrade to a 3 hour beverage package for $60pp, including white, red and sparkling wine, beer and soft drinks
Bottega Coco
Experience an Italian-style Cup Day celebration at Bottega Coco, featuring a generous shared banquet menu:
When: Tuesday 4 November 2025, 12pm-3:30pm
Where: Bottega Coco, Barangaroo
Cost: $125pp (food only) l Check the menu and make a booking
Melbourne Cup Lunch in the City Centre
The Grill at The International
An open-air race day lunch above Martin Place’s Cup Day party, with a shared banquet of fresh seafood and premium cuts cooked over fire, alongside spring produce and a glass of NV Ruinart Brut Champagne on arrival.
Every ticket includes free entry to the after party in Panorama Bar.
When: Reservations from 11.30am, Tuesday 3 November
Where: The International, The Grill, Martin Place
Cost: $225 per person plus booking fee
The Wine Bar at The International
The city’s biggest Melbourne Cup party takes over The Wine Bar this year.
For one afternoon, the bar spills out onto the open-air plaza under the Charles Perry sculpture, with roaming canapés, a glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival, and free-flowing cocktails, tap beer and wine.
When: Tuesday 3 November
Where: The International, The Wine Bar, Martin Place
Cost: $149 per person plus booking fee
Shell House
Four ways to spend Melbourne Cup at Shell House, with screens and sound running through every level. Dress up for the Fashions on the Field competition, and every ticket includes free entry to the after party in Sky Bar, with DJs playing into the evening.
Menzies Bar: a shared banquet menu in the Margaret Street bistro, with a complimentary spritz on arrival.
When: Reservations from 12pm l Cost: $125 per person
Dining Room & Terrace: a long lunch high above the CBD in the sun soaked terrace space, includes a glass of NV Ruinart Brut Champagne on arrival
When: Reservations from 11.30am l Cost: $275 pp
Sky Bar: canapés and cocktails at the top of the building, with skyline views as the sun sets, includes select beverages and canapés.
When: Canapé party from 12.30pm to 3pm l Cost: $170 per person,
Chophouse
Chophouse is pulling out all the stops this Melbourne Cup with a classic feast fit for race day. Enjoy a three-course set menu for groups of four or more, including a drink on arrival. With shared starters and desserts, and a choice of exceptional mains like eye-fillet, scotch fillet, or pan-roasted snapper, there’s something to satisfy every guest.
When: From 12pm, Tuesday 3 November 2026
Where: Chophouse, 25 Bligh Street, Sydney
Cost: Not stated, à la carte pricing for 1-7 guests, group menu for 8+
The Apollo – Potts Point
The Apollo Feast banquet takes over for Cup Day, a spread of Greek dishes including saganaki, crudo, oven baked lamb shoulder and traditional sides, with a glass of Champagne on arrival.
A DJ plays through the afternoon, and there are sweeps and prizes for best dressed. Book the Chef’s Table for a private screen to watch the race.
When: Tuesday 3 November, lunch
Where: The Apollo, 44 Macleay Street, Potts Point
Cost: $160 per person
Melbourne Cup by the Water
North Bondi Fish
Celebrate Melbourne Cup steps from the sand at North Bondi Fish with a long lunch by the beach.
The four course share menu starts with taramasalata and confit garlic flatbread, vitello tonnato grissini and roasted Padrón peppers, followed by fish crudo with citrus dressing and radicchio, and fritto misto di mare with herb yoghurt.
When: From 12pm, Tuesday 3 November
Where: North Bondi Fish, 120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi
Cost: $135 per person
Felons Manly
A waterfront pub with the race on the big screen and Sydney Harbour as the backdrop.
The shared plates menu runs for three and a half hours, with a matching beverage package of beer, wine and sparkling included, and a Louis Roederer Champagne upgrade available for an extra $60.
When: 12pm to 3pm, Tuesday 3 November
Where: Felons Manly, East Esplanade, Manly Wharf
Cost: $255 per person, shared plates menu plus a 3.5 hour beverage package
Coogee Bay Hotel
A Cup Day setup with four different ways to do the day, from a garden picnic to a dedicated cabana.
The Garden ticket includes a glass of Chandon and shared seafood and picnic platters. Beach Bar & Dining steps up to a multi-course meal with a choice of barramundi, rump cap or adobo chicken, plus a three hour beverage package.
Garden Cabanas add a dedicated waiter and a full beverage package for groups of eight or more, and the Sports Bar is walk-in only with no ticket needed.
When: From 12pm, Tuesday 3 November
Where: Coogee Bay Hotel, 253 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee
Cost: The Garden $90pp, Beach Bar & Dining $195pp, Garden Cabanas $250pp (min. 8 people), Sports Bar free entry
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Main image: View Hotel North Sydney
