Melbourne Cup Day falls on Tuesday 3 November 2026. They still call it the race that stops a nation. Around here it mostly pauses things at 3pm, right when school pick-up collides with the second glass of bubbles.
For a lot of Lane Cove locals it is less about the race and more about the excuse. A long lunch, a fascinator that only comes out once a year and a sweep where nobody can pronounce the horse they drew.
Here is where to book a long lunch locally this year. Not into the racing? There is a section for you at the end.
Last updated 29 October 2026. Listings are supplied by venues and subject to change, so confirm directly before you book.
Galuwa Dining
Lane Cove’s newest restaurant, overlooking the golf course at the recreation centre on River Road, is hosting its first Melbourne Cup lunch and doing it grazing-style. Live chef stations (fresh seafood and oysters, Asian street food, sliders and tacos, a carving station and desserts), Piper-Heidsieck on arrival and a three-hour premium beverage package. There is live entertainment, sweeps, lucky door prizes and Best Dressed, with free parking on site. We wrote about it in more detail here.
When: Tuesday 3 November from 12.30pm (beverage package to 3.30pm, party to 6pm)
Cost: $159pp. Individual tickets or tables of 8 or 10. Non-refundable.
Book: Tickets via Humanitix
Where: 180 River Road, Lane Cove | 02 8360 7777 | Website
The Diddy (Longueville Sporting Club) with Lusso Kitchen
An afternoon of shared plates, live music and race-day fun at The Diddy. The $85 ticket includes a glass of bubbles on arrival and a three-course shared lunch by Lusso Kitchen. An antipasti platter to start, then slow-cooked wagyu brisket, chia-crusted salmon and chicken supreme to share with roast veg and rocket salad, and mini pastries to finish. There are competitions for Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Gentleman and Best Hat, plus a lucky door prize. Vegetarian or vegan? Email [email protected] before you book.
When: Tuesday 3 November, 12pm to 5pm
Cost: $85pp, minimum booking of four
Book: Book at The Diddy
Where: Cnr Kenneth Street and River Road, Longueville | Event details
Lusso Kitchen at Club Bradley Mosman and Northbridge Golf Club
The same Lusso Kitchen three-course Cup menu is also on at two of its other Lower North Shore venues, with pricing, entertainment and inclusions set by each club. Handy if your group is split across the bridge.
Club Bradley Mosman: Pricing and inclusions | Book
Northbridge Golf Club: Pricing and inclusions | Book
Full details at Lusso Kitchen.
Longueville Hotel
The Longy turns into a front-row seat for the day. Big screens, sweeps, best-dressed prizes and a packed room. Lunch starts with a glass of Moët & Chandon NV on arrival, followed by a three-course spring menu. Smoked salmon with potato scallop, celeriac remoulade and roe to start. A 200g eye fillet with béarnaise, shoestring fries and a butter lettuce salad to share. Chocolate pots de crème with double cream and lavender to finish.
When: Tuesday 3 November from 12pm
Cost: $110pp all inclusive
Book: Book a table. Bookings essential, they expect to sell out.
Where: 80 Longueville Road, Lane Cove | (02) 5839 5269 | Website
Nup to the Cup
Not everyone is cheering at 3pm. Plenty of people sit the race out, for all sorts of reasons, and a growing number of them say so out loud. Nup to the Cup started as an animal welfare campaign and has turned into its own tradition, with alternative Cup Day lunches and parties around the country. All the dressing up, none of the racing.
Lane Cove had its own version of the conversation a few years ago. In 2022 Councillor Rochelle Flood asked Council to stop screening the race in the Plaza. The idea made national television when Bill Shorten told the Today show to “stay in your lanes, councillor”. Council asked the community what it thought and 313 people answered: 63 per cent wanted the screening to stay and 37 per cent wanted it gone. When it came to a vote in March 2023 the councillors split four to four, the Mayor declined to break the tie and the motion was lost.
So it is fair to say Lane Cove is divided, and that is fine. Wherever you sit, the day still works without the race. The lunches above are long, the dress code is fun and the people at your table are the point. If you would rather skip the sweep, nobody at The Diddy or Galuwa is going to check. And every booking at a local venue goes to a local business and the local staff who are working a very long Tuesday. That is the bit we care about most.
💡 Hosting your own Cup Day lunch, or your own Nup to the Cup lunch? Tag @inthecove so we can share your photos.
Please celebrate responsibly and be kind to hospitality staff. They are working the hardest shift of the spring.
Running something for Cup Day that is not listed here? Email [email protected] and we will add you.