Where to Take Dad on Father’s Day 2025
There’s no ideal restaurant to celebrate Father’s Day. Your father figure could be a stereotypical steak-loving bloke, or a vegetarian. He could be a wine connoisseur or a guy who likes nothing better than to put away six pots at lunch. Whatever kind of dad you have, Father’s Day is uncomfortably close (Sunday September 7), which means it’s time to get booking.
We’ve assembled a diverse list of bookable restaurants. Stick to the top entries if you’re keen to splash out and make dad feel special. Look further down if you’re after a more relaxed, communal environment, such as a pizzeria, neighbourhood bistro or pub.
Restaurant
Stokehouse
It’s easy to push the boat out with dad at Stokehouse, with its stunning ocean views and high-quality seafood. Book some seats for its four-course Father’s Day banquet ($195pp). There’ll be scallop and caviar, crumbed rock flathead, a whole roast duck and more.
Restaurant
Yugen Dining
If your Dad loves the finer things in life, look no further than this subterranean restaurant. Take the glass lift underground for dinner. Cheers dad with an added Suntory or Dalmore whisky flight ($40pp).
Restaurant
Grill Americano
Venetian elegance, New York energy and a kick of Melbourne nostalgia collide at restaurateur Chris Lucas’s lavish brasserie and grill. Pull up a seat with dad in the grand dining room for one-off specials, including caramelle pasta with beef cheek, bordelaise sauce and fresh truffle.
Restaurant
Askal
A team of seasoned hospo pros, including ex-Lume and Sunda chef John Rivera, are behind this unadultered Filipino spot. Book a spot on Father’s Day for a feast ($55pp) of crispy pata with garlic fried rice and more.
Restaurant
Hopper Joint
Bring dad to Greville Street’s Sri Lankan spot, from the duo behind Entrecote. Enjoy a one-off feast ($88pp) with unlimited plain hoppers alongside sambals and curries. There’s also a Lion Lager to start along with grilled scallops, spice-crusted lamb ribs and more.
Restaurant
Lee Ho Fook
Victor Liong’s Chinese eatery is in a league of its own. Bring dad for the winter tasting menu ($180pp), and celebrate over mud crab and Wagyu short rib. Book here.
Restaurant
Kura
Tucked beneath an apartment block, an ex-Kisume and Nobu chef perfects the Japanese art of robatayaki using a charcoal-powered parrilla grill. Book some seats at the bar for a dinner of yakitori served every way.
Restaurant
Bistro Thierry
Follow the black-and-white striped awning to find this smart French bistro. Enjoy signature dishes the team has mastered over 20 years: French onion soup; escargots served in a buttery, garlicky sauce; boeuf bourguignon; and crème brûlée. Bookings are recommended.
Restaurant
Maha Restaurant
Bring dad to this moody spot for interesting takes on Middle Eastern classics. Pick between the three-course lunch menu or dine the the à la carte dinner menu.
Restaurant
Lagoon Dining
Lagoon’s menu takes most of its influence from Chinese cuisine while drawing on Thai and Malaysian dishes and techniques. Book some seats for its Father’s Day feed me ($75pp), which includes five savoury dishes and chocolate mousse for dessert.
Restaurant
Firebird
This Vietnamese-style diner is all about smoke and flames. But your old man’s off smoke alarm duty today. Dad jokes aside, there’s a fire-fuelled Sunday lunch here ($89pp) with bottomless fries and oysters. Plus, dad get a complimentary gift from local label Hommey.
Restaurant
Circl Wine House
If fine wine is dad's thing, a trip to Circl, boasting a 1500-strong list, is the perfect fit. There are 150 bottles to try by the glass, including smaller producers and limited-edition drops.
Restaurant
Fancy Hank’s
Tell dad to bring an empty stomach to this upscale American barbeque joint. That way you can both make the most of its Pitfather feast ($89pp) with beef ribs, lamb shanks, chicken wings, pork ribs and all the sides.
the signature share platter with ribs, chicken, brisket and more. Pair it with the beer tasting of Australian and American lagers.
Restaurant
Marmont
Marmont brings Cali-cool to Crown. Take a seat for a long lunch accompanied with vinyl tunes and Yarra views.
Restaurant
Moonhouse
This alluring bistro does Chinese favourites in new ways. And on Sundays, it serves $64pp yum cha all afternoon. Enjoy a Father’s Day feast with 12 dishes on repeat. Plus, its giving dad a complimentary gift from local label Hommey.
Bar
Neighbourhood Wine
A long lunch at this north-side spot is still one of our favourite ways to spend a weekend arvo. Luckily for you and dad, it’s putting on a cracking three-course Sunday roast ($75pp). Book in for porterhouse steak, comforting pasta and picks from its tome-like wine list.
Bar
Builders Arms Hotel
At Andrew McConnell’s classy Gertrude Street bar and bistro, the food is just that bit better than dad might expect from a trip to the pub. Throwback easy-drinking lagers and cocktails with a burger, rotisserie of the day or the semi-famous fish pot pie.
Restaurant
Kolkata Cricket Club
Mischa Tropp’s Crown diner takes its cues from India’s historic members clubs. Bring dad for regional Bengali dishes, combined with pan-Indian crowd-pleasers, including tandoor-baked barramundi and woodfired prawns.
Restaurant
Cumulus Inc.
Andrew McConnell’s Flinders Lane diner is plating favourites for dad, including Wagyu bresaola with kohlrabi and lemon mayonnaise; O'Connor rib-eye steaks; and rum baba to finish. Book a table here.
Restaurant
North & Common
Pull up to the old Pentridge Prison for a three-course meal ($89pp) – albeit with a menu far more refined than its former mess hall fare. Think Cobb Lane sourdough, braised beef cheek and tiramisu.
Restaurant
Supernormal
Spot red neon cherries at the entrance and you'll know you're at Andrew McConnell’s slick Japanese hotspot. The team is putting on one-off menu items just for dad, including smoky pork ribs and Wagyu flank steak.
Restaurant
Stokehouse Pasta & Bar
Take a seat at Stokehouse’s more casual, downstairs spot for a one-off Father’s Day lunch menu ($100pp) featuring swordfish gildas, roast beef and a chocolate tart for dessert.
Bar
The Prince Public Bar
Book a couple of seats at this reinvigorated St Kilda icon for its hearty steak specials this Father’s Day. Order the slow-roasted lamb shoulder to share, served with couscous and seasonal veg for $89.
Restaurant
Masti
Pass under the glowing neon sign to find this vibrant North Indian diner. Its comprehensive menu will keep veg-loving dads happy – with meat-free dishes like crispy honey-chilli cauliflower and aloo gobi. Plus, find Indian-leaning cocktails levelled-up with ingredients like turmeric, mango and cardamom.
Restaurant
Mister Bianco
Book a spot at Mister Bianco for a three-course Sicilian-inspired menu. ($109pp). Start with arancini before moving onto porterhouse steak or gnocchi in truffled leek sauce. Plus, complimentary drinks for dad.
Restaurant
Poodle Bar & Bistro
This double-decker haunt is full of cosy nooks. This Father’s Day, sink into a leather banquette or gold velvet couch and order zhooshed-up hotel classics. Book now for a set lunch ($60pp).
Shop
Pidapipo Laboratorio
The cult gelateria is bringing back its Papamisu ($32), a tub featuring layers of mascarpone gelato, Savoiardi biscuits soaked in espresso and sweet sherry syrup, and gianduja ganache, topped with chocolate shavings. Available at all stores.
Restaurant
Tombo Den
Grab a seat at the sushi counter, settle into the banquet menu ($79pp) or order à la carte at this suave Japanese spot. There’ll be one-off specials, including a Japanese spin on fish’n’chips.
Restaurant
Three Blue Ducks
There’s loads of fun to carve up at this surf-ready suburban spot. Catch waves with dad at Urbnsurf, then settle in for a feed at the on-site restaurant. Book your spot here for breakfast, Sunday roast or dinner.
Restaurant
Marameo
Marameo is openings its doors on Sunday for a one-off dinner service, especially for your old man. Pick from à la carte favourites like cacio e pepe and disco ribs, or opt for the chef’s menu ($99 pp).
Restaurant
Big Pig Canteen
Follow the smoky scent to find this American barbeque joint, which goes through a whopping 200 kilos of brisket a week. Order share-friendly trays of all the classics (think pulled pork and that grass-fed brisket) with house-made sides like mac’n’cheese. Plus, add Victorian beers by the pint or in a tasting paddle.
Bar
The Royal Oak Hotel Fitzroy North
Roll up to this big burgundy boozer for its mix of crowd-pleasing pub classics and bistro-style fare, courtesy of the Marquis of Lorne team. The grand old pub has plenty of dining nooks, a robust wine list and a bustling vibe right through the weekend.
Bar
Pirate Life
A Sunday roast and a shave? Sign us up. Bring dad for a lamb shoulder lunch and a free haircut with the on-site barbers at this South Melbourne brewery. There’ll be DJs spinning vinyls. Book your spot here. Plus, get a free can cooler with dad's first pint.
Restaurant
Omnia
Head to this elegant European bistro for Scotch eggs; Wagyu steak and more.
Restaurant
Lona Misa
Lona Misa knows one day is not enough to celebrate dad. That’s why it’s running its four-course, vegan Father’s Day feast ($95 pp) for the whole week, from September 2–6. Come for watermelon ceviche, eggplant tostadas, roast chicken and more.
Restaurant
Beverly
Enjoy Dad's Sunday roast with a stunning rooftop city views at Beverly’s. Book a table for 40-day aged short loin on the bone and plenty of sides.
Restaurant
Maison Batard
This lavish four-level French dining destination is putting on one-off specials for Father's Day, including truffled Wagyu doughnuts and a beef bourguignon pie, alongside its classics.
Restaurant
New Quarter
Fancy a seafood feast? This Vietnamese diner is plating a special Sunday lunch ($76pp) complete with a raw seafood platter, banana leaf wrapped cha cha baby snapper and free-flowing boozy drinks. Plus, its giving dad a complimentary gift from local label Hommey.
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