Flemington’s shopping strip is right next door to the racecourse. Before the gates open or after the last race, Racecourse Road and Pin Oak Crescent have coffee, a proper meal and a drink – without the race-day queues.
2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival
- Derby Day – Saturday 31 October
- Melbourne Cup Day – Tuesday 3 November (public holiday)
- Oaks Day – Thursday 5 November
- Stakes Day – Saturday 7 November
Before the races
Start with breakfast and a coffee on Pin Oak Crescent or Racecourse Road.
- Wolf & Hound Cafe
- Mama Bear
- The New Daily Grind
- Autumn Leaves
- Pepper Café
- Tiger Bread Bakery
- Trinity Bakehouse
After the races
Skip the city crowds and eat where the locals do – from laksa and injera to dumplings and curry.
- Laksa King – Malaysian
- The Abyssinian – Ethiopian
- New Somali Kitchen – Somali
- Saina – Indian
- Viet Harmony – Vietnamese
- I Love Dumplings – dumplings
- Chef Lagenda – Malaysian
For a drink
Last-minute race-day needs
- Flowers and buttonholes – Flora Lara
- Outfits – Industrie Clothing
- Hair and nails – Freshen Up Barber Shop, Studio 58, Nailed It
- Blister plasters and sunscreen – Chemist Warehouse Newmarket
Getting here on race day
- Tram 57 runs along Racecourse Road and stops at Flemington Drive (stop 30), outside the racecourse main gate.
- Train: take the Craigieburn line to Newmarket station on Pin Oak Crescent. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the racecourse. Note that special race-day trains to Flemington Racecourse station don’t stop at Newmarket.
Hours can change on race days and the Cup Day public holiday, so check with the venue before you go.