"My father used to say that it’s never too late to do anything you wanted to do. And he said: ‘you never know what you can accomplish until you try.’” – Michael Jordan.
Father’s Day is that special time of the year when we honour the most important men in our lives – fathers, husbands, grandfathers, brothers and uncles – they all shape us in some way or another.
These are the men who have raised us, loved us, inspired us
and taught us so much from life skills to respect and what family really means.
To Dads all over Australia this Father’s Day, Sunday September 1, we hope you
are spoiled with a nice meal out at one of your favourite restaurants and if
you don’t have one yet, maybe one of these will fit the bill.
Honey glazed chicken wings at Hophaus.
Father’s Day in Melbourne and Yarra Glen:
Bring Dad in for a two-hour bier brunch at Hophaus Euro Bar Bistro on Southgate Promenade in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, this Father’s Day. With an art deco approach to a traditional German dining hall, Hophaus is ideal for groups celebrating special occasions, with a brick centrepiece bar and open rotisserie fired kitchen, adding to the fresh feel and welcoming vibe.
Dad can choose from delicious temptations such as the Big Daddy Brunch, loaded pancakes, eggs Benedict and smashed avo; alongside a two-hour drinks package, including any of Hophaus tap beers, Mimosas, Prosecco or house wines. Tea, coffee and juice are also included, so book early and show Dad an awesome time!
Dad can break out his moves and have a great time in the photo booth at La Camera Southgate in Southbank come Father’s Day. There’s plenty of prizes and vouchers for the best picture of the day at this popular venue offering a touch of Italy among riverside treetops, where two balconies provide full views of the Yarra River and iconic Flinders Street station.
A la carte dining ensures there is plenty of choice, while
one lucky Dad will win two tickets to La Camera’s VIP night in October,
celebrating the restaurant’s 20-year anniversary in Southgate. Expect pasta
dishes like home-style gnocchi with black pancetta, Italian sausage, Winter
greens, garlic, herbs, Parmesan, white wine and butter; all Dads get a free pot
of beer or glass of wine on arrival.
Woodfired Pizza at Zonzo Estate.
Have you decided how you want to treat Dad? Zonzo Estate on Healesville-Yarra Glen Road in Yarra Glen has you covered with Festa del Papa on Sunday, September 1 – a great opportunity to spend quality time together around a table abundant with food. We’re talking antipasto, pizza, slow-cooked lamb with roast potatoes, salad and cannoli to finish.
Against a backdrop of a glorious vineyard, Zonzo offers a truly unique Italian dining experience using imported goods and fresh local produce on a menu compiled from Casalinga-style original fare, paired with a selection of matching estate wines. Father’s Day will see a four-course menu that is sure to ensure every Dad goes home satisfied.
Adelaide, Mt Lofty and McLaren Vale Father’s Day Hot Spots:
A Father’s Day Irish gala awaits at Arkaba Hotel on Glen Osmond Road in Fullarton. You and your Dad are going to love the Irish dancers and pipe band, an Irish comedian and very special guest from the United States – the amazing Joe Lawry who sings with Sting, Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel. Enjoy breakfast or lunch downstairs at the bistro before the entertainment starts, or alternatively stay for dinner.
This iconic hotel entices guests with cosy booths, comfy lounges and intimate nooks, while those wanting to catch the footy can hang out in Sporty’s Bar with an atmosphere that rivals being at the event. In the bistro be tempted by plates like pork belly bites, with honey, ginger, sesame and soy; or bigger meals such as slow-cooked smoked harissa pressed lamb, freekeh, currants, kale and red wine jus.
For a special Father’s Day lunch or dinner in the sophisticated surrounds of the Greenhouse Dining Room, head to Feathers Hotel & Pavilion on Glynburn Road in Burnside. Be crowned favourite child by treating Dad to the surf and turf special of the day, with a glass of The Lane Vineyard Shiraz; or choose from the a la carte menu alongside a great range of craft beer on tap, premium wines and spirits.
This newly renovated venue delivers three dining options – a bustling café with a fun vibe of great coffee, pizza and bar; the Terrace for pub classics, healthy salads and moreish snacks amid lush greenery; while for fine dining head to the Greenhouse where an Asian-inspired menu dishes up plates designed for sharing.
Dad receives a complimentary beverage on arrival at Serafino Restaurant on Kangarilla Road in McLaren Vale this Father’s Day. Open for lunch and dinner, Serafino’s new Spring a la carte menu will be available for Dad to pick his favourite dish, as he relaxes in style at this winery, restaurant and accommodation venue nestled among 200-year-old gum trees, wide lakes and rolling hillsides.
With a carefully crafted menu of Modern Italian-Australian
fare, Chef Daniel Armon highlights his skill in dynamic dishes, using premium seasonal
produce, best enjoyed with a drop of estate wine, such as Sharktooth Shiraz, or
the Reserve Grenache.
Forest Range chicken at Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard restaurant.
Overlook the picturesque vines while cosying up fireside for a three-course, or five-course degustation lunch at Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard restaurant on Harris Road in Lenswood. Beverage pairings are available to complement Dad’s lunch at this rustic barn-like cellar door, with wide timber decks allowing guests to admire the sweeping valley landscapes as they sip estate wines.
An alluring menu embraces local produce with fervour to make bold taste and texture statements, with the likes of salt-baked celeriac, organic quail egg, hazelnut and truffle; or venison with swede, barley and pine mushrooms. Indulgent desserts like brown butter parfait, poached rhubarb, ginger and lemon verbena are sure to tempt Dad.
Mount Tamborine and Surfers Paradise Father’s Day Deals:
If you’re after a day of wine tasting, sightseeing and relaxed dining for Dad on September 1, look no further than Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard & Winery Restaurant on Hartley Road at Mount Tamborine. Enjoy lunch or order a picnic basket, sit amongst the vines and soak up the crisp air, stunning lake and garden views; while in the restaurant enjoy the cosy warmth of the Hamblin Room to celebrate.
A special two-course lunch is on the menu this Father’s Day, paired with estate wines, while an ideal finish to Dad’s special day is a visit to the purpose-built cave, where you’ll come face to face with thousands of glow worms for a magical moment to seal the deal on a memorable 2019 Father’s Day celebration.
For the ultimate beers and barbeque Father’s Day, take Dad to GrillFest brunch at Bazaar on Staghorn Avenue in Surfers Paradise. Step inside the Gold Coast’s QT Hotel and discover the secrets of Bazaar’s traditional marketplace – a delicatessen-style buffet with a 21st Century twist, which come September 1 will feature grilled Moroccan spiced lamb chops, USA house-smoked ribs and fresh seafood.
But wait…there’s more! Think waffles, crepe stations, beer and barbeques – Dad will be in his element. There’s also the option of a Man Tea, like a tea party but for Dad and serving a little less Earl Grey and cucumber sandwiches and a little more grilled Wagyu, beer and whiskey.
Brisbane, Townsville and Ocean View Father’s Day outings:
Beautiful river views and half-price lunch make George’s Paragon Brisbane an ideal place to make Dad feel special, come Sunday September 1. Just minutes from the heart of the CBD on Eagle Street pier, George’s offers a seafood oasis for dining alfresco by the water’s edge as all manner of watercraft sail steadily by, or head indoors where crisp white décor emits a Mediterranean vibe.
Choose from two different lunch seating options and delve into dishes like barbequed King prawns, or twirl a fork around pasta tempters of spaghetti, garlic, mushrooms, egg and bacon carbonara, in a white wine and cream sauce. Steak lovers won’t go past eye fillet, with garlic, Worcestershire sauce, brandy and cream, with salad and French fries.
Whether a buffet breakfast, lunch at The Deck or an indulgent dinner at Lily restaurant, The Glen Hotelhas Father’s Day covered this September. Founded in 1863, this Eight Mile Plains award-winning landmark owned and run by the Fitzgibbons family for half a century, combines a full-service restaurant, bistro, bar and pizzeria, coffee and doughnut shop, playground, function space, gaming and bottle shop.
Dad can feast on both sweet and savoury breakfast favourites like pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit and yoghurt, eggs, bacon, sausages and a range of gourmet pastries; or pick up a slice of gourmet pizza and relax into the afternoon with live music on The Deck and a jumping castle for the kids.
Expect dishes like lobster ‘royale’ and slow-roasted duck on the Father’s Day menu at Lutece Bistro & Wine Bar on MacGregor Terrace in Bardon. Classically refined, this smartly set venue regales in a French bistro ambience of crisp white linen, crystal vase lighting, dark wood fittings and floor-to-ceiling views of a breathtaking Brisbane city panorama.
Choose from a two or three-course lunch or dinner, with Dad
receiving a glass of sparkling wine on arrival and live entertainment
throughout the day, as guests delve into sand crab lasagne with a creamy
crustacean sauce; or grain-fed Angus beef tenderloin, Bordelaise and shallot
sauce, celeriac puree and mushroom ragout. Sweet tempters include crème brulee
with vanilla bean and crispy cassonade pastry.
Goats' cheese tortellini at Bridgewater Restaurant.
All Dads receive a craft beer from Hemingway’s Brewery on arrival at Bridgewater Restaurant and Bridge Bar in Townsville on Father’s Day. Choose from a two or three-course menu to make Dad a happy man, while enjoying a touch of coastal elegance at this restaurant positioned on the first floor and purposely created to offer an unparalleled dining experience, with unsurpassed river and city views.
For another Townsville venue to spoil Dad, head to JAM on Palmer Street,
where he will also be treated to a craft beer on arrival. Effortlessly
combining style with innovation, this much-loved riverfront crowd-pleaser
restaurant constantly buzzes with a steady hum of diners popping in to wine and
dine in an elegant space of soft lighting and wide mirrors. Choose from two or
three-course menus to entice Dad.
Dutch cream gnocchi at Ocean View Estates Restaurant.
Set among flourishing vineyards and rolling hillsides, Ocean View Estates Winery and Restaurant on Mt Mee Road in Dayboro serves up a beautiful vibe for spoiling Dad. Make a statement by arriving by helicopter and taste estate wines passionately made by winemaker and owner Thomas Honey, alongside a delicious breakfast, or three-course lunch designed with Dad in mind.
After your meal, head to the onside craft beer brewery, headed by one of Australia’s few female brewers Hannah Honnef and get close to the action by tasting signature brews straight from the vats. Alternatively, order a picnic hamper from the cellar door with cheese, fresh fruit, quince paste, sopressa, serrano, chicken and pistachio terrine, sourdough and crackers and chill out in the vineyards.
Celebrate Father’s Day at Woolloomooloo, Stuarts Point, Baulkham Hills and Corrimal:
Treat Dad to an all-you-can-eat buffet of authentic Asian and Mod Oz fare at Ocean Avenue restaurant inside Stuarts Point Workers Club on Ocean Avenue. This family-friendly venue welcomes guests into a warm, inviting vibe of feature brick walls and large glass windows overlooking lush bowling greens, as they ponder a la carte and buffet menus overflowing with choice.
On Sunday, September 1 expect buffet temptations such as fresh green NZ mussels with housemade sweet chilli dressing, salads like potato and bacon and Asian coleslaw; while slow-cooked roast beef, roasted pork belly, honey chicken, tempura seafood and beef lasagne all make for hunger-busting main options. Dessert awaits for those who have room, including cheesecakes, pavlova, cake and soft-serve ice cream.
Expect dishes such as steak tartare, slow-cooked pork belly, crème caramel and more on the Father’s Day three-course lunch at Quoi Dining on Century Circuit in Baulkham Hills. Located in the rapidly expanding Bella Vista restaurant precinct overlooking Norwest Lake, Quoi is a quaint destination offering elegant dining in moody surrounds and understated simplicity.
Dad will be in his element with plates of beef cheeks and macadamia, Black Angus eye fillet, with kale, mushroom and cauliflower; followed by decadent dessert like chocolate delice. There’s also a kids’ menu to keep hunger pangs away from younger diners with steak, fish, pork or chicken and chips, ice cream and a drink.
Celebrate and honour all Dads at Table 426 with a free mixed grill for each father in attendance at this Corrimal restaurant on Princes Highway. Come in for lunch or dinner and say thank you for everything Dad does day in and out while relaxing in a welcoming atmosphere and spacious dining room that caters perfectly for a variety of functions and events.
Making yourself at home is easy with a menu based on fresh, local produce and ingredients plating up Mod Oz dishes like butternut pumpkin gnocchi, blue cheese, toasted pine nuts, spinach and cauliflower; or beef fillet served with a potato stack, spinach, cauliflower, baby beets and Diane sauce. Dessert lovers are treated to the likes of vanilla bean crème brulee, mixed nut praline sand and brulee bananas.
Take Dad on down to Goldfish Bar & Kitchen in Pokolbin for a casual pizza or shared meal and enjoy the sunshine on the terrace while listening to live music. He’ll be treated to a free beer or glass of house wine, as Precious Little entertain with popular songs from the 70s and 80s, and Dad delves into the likes of pork belly with grilled cos, Brussels sprouts and hazelnuts.
Pick up a slice of braised lamb shoulder pizza with potato,
confit garlic, rosemary, green olives, feta and mint; while mandarin panna
cotta, caramelised mandarin skin and coconut crumble may be the sweet finish
Dad is craving.
"Reef and Beef" - Wagyu top sirloin and a buttery sweet grilled NZ scampi at Manta Restaurant and Bar.
No set menu, no extra cost and no worries this Father’s Day at Manta Restaurant and Bar on Cowper Wharf Road in Woolloomooloo. Manta is inviting families to come and celebrate with lunch or dinner from the seasonal a la carte menu, while they take in Sydney Harbour and city views. Boasting dishes as diverse as blue swimmer crab lasagne to mouth-watering steaks, there is a meal for every taste.
The creation of Executive Chef Daniel Hughes and Head Chef Steve Hetherington, the menu bursts with variety, letting local produce do the talking – such as Hiramasa kingfish carpaccio and house hot-smoked Alpine salmon. Both can be found among the raw, cured and smoked dishes, illustrating the depth of flavour Manta Restaurant is well known for.
Happy Father’s Day Australia!
If none of our suggestions are local, search via your location here.
