Whether it’s the races that take your fancy or you are simply enjoying a day of participating in one of the country’s largest sporting events, food is an integral part of the Spring Racing Carnival in Australia. There is no better way to experience top Australian cuisine than to travel to Melbourne during the Carnival to enjoy it for yourself.
Dining at home on race day
Aside from the good times to be had and the occasional cold beverage to be enjoyed, food is an integral part of race day. If you are watching the races from home, there are a few staple dining choices that are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. The tried and tested “snags on a barbie” are a staple to the Australian diet and there is nothing more satisfying than hearing the sizzle of a gourmet sausage going on the BBQ in a typical Australian backyard setting.
Finger food is generally popular during the races as you can pick up a small plate and enjoy a range of flavors while you are checking out the Golden Eagle odds or picking a winner for the next big race. Though many home celebrations stick to party pies and sausage rolls as they are quick to prepare and have been a favourite in Australia for generations, a selection of gourmet appetizers can be popular as well. Sticking to the elegant theme of the races, finger foods for race day often feature ingredients such as salmon and gourmet cheeses which pair beautifully with a race day renowned champagne cocktail.
Top race day restaurants
If you are spending a day at the races in person, there are plenty of places to find a quality gourmet meal. Flemington Racecourse provides an exquisite menu for race days with everything from canapés to a nice bottle of bubbles to nourish racegoers. With multiple dining outlets located around the track as well as sponsored corporate tents which provide their own selection of incredible food choices, the choices are seemingly endless for racegoers.
Flemington’s main restaurant, The Dining Room, offers a fantastic view of the track with a stunning backdrop of the city of Melbourne to be admired. With a traditional feel, The Dining Room features pictures of past racing champions on the walls throughout the venue and lavish grass green seats to complement the gourmet menu selection to be enjoyed.
For those who are seeking a race day meal a step away from the mayhem of the Carnival, The Stokehouse at St Kilda beach is an extremely popular place to enjoy one of Melbourne’s finest quality dining experiences. From the selection of premium oysters and osetra caviar gougère to delectable seafood platters and Corner Inlet calamari, this is a menu that offers one of the finest foodie experiences in Melbourne. Classic Australian-style mains including Stokehouse battered fish & chips with seaweed salt and tartar sauce and Cape Grim 4+ sirloin 200g with bone marrow crème fraiche, cippolini onion & salsa verde are crowd favorites that can provide the essential race day dining experience.
No matter how you choose to experience the Spring Racing Carnival, you are assured of an incredible Australian dining experience. With a glass of champagne firmly in hand to toast the winners of the day, there is no better way to experience the gourmet culture of Melbourne than a day at the races.
