If your Melbourne Cup plans usually involve scrambling for a lunch booking at the last minute, consider this your nudge to get organised early. Pig ’N’ Whistle South Bank is putting on a three-course lunch for $75 per person, with a menu that makes a pretty compelling case for swapping the usual race day snacks for a proper sit-down affair.

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The three-course menu starts with your pick of three entrées: local tiger prawns, beef pan rolls or truffle arancini. For the main course, you'll have another decision to make, with a 200g eye fillet steak, Atlantic salmon fillet or potato gnocchi on offer. Then comes dessert, where you can finish with either sticky date pudding or chocolate fondant. That's one entrée, one main and one dessert per person, all included in the $75 price.

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For those who like their race day lunch with a little extra, there's an optional upgrade for $79, including half a dozen oysters and a bottle of Pirie. Add a dressed-up crowd and a few friendly bets on the race, and you've got the makings of a very decent afternoon.

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Whether you're in it for the racing, the food or the chance to get everyone around the same table, Pig ’N’ Whistle South Bank has the lunch sorted. Book your spot here.

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