The Best Places to Take Your Dad This Father's Day in Melbourne

You love your dad, and if you're looking for ways to spoil your old man, we're here to help. Because let's face it — your favourite underground bar is a bit too dingy. Your go-to ramen joint is a bit of a lazy pick for the man who helped raise you. This is your chance to deliver something momentous. Something memorable — and earn some serious brownie points on the side.

From luxuriously long lunches to boozy brunches and everything in between, we've rounded up the best places for Father's Day in Melbourne (Sunday, September 1), and for every weekend after it. Go forth and really make dad's day.

Recommended reads: 
The Best Restaurants in Melbourne
The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne
The Best Pubs in Melbourne
The Best Yum Cha in Melbourne

For Huge Tomahawk Steaks and Free Haircuts: Pirate Life

For Father's Day in Melbourne this year, Pirate Life brewery is throwing a huge party for dads and their loved ones. During the arvo, the team will be serving massive tomahawk steaks and lamb shoulders (meant to be shared) alongside your usual Sunday roast favourites. DJs will also be spinning tunes throughout the day, plus we've been told punters can expect an 'epic' door prize.

To top it all off, the Pirate Life team will even have barbers on-site to give dads free haircuts. This is a first come, first served situation, so if you think your dad could do with a fresh cut, be sure to get him down there nice and early — the festivities begin at midday.

Moonhouse

For Whisky and Yum Cha: Starward Whisky

When it comes to Father's Day activities in Melbourne, Starward Whisky probably has the most going on. Not only does it have a special three-course whisky-inspired set menu ($80) on Sunday, but the team has even teamed up with Moonhouse to run a special yum cha service on Saturday. 

For $95, you and your Father's Day crew will be treated to a huge selection of dim sum bites, from beef and bone marrow spring rolls and sesame prawn toast to char siu pork buns, chicken and ginger dumplings, and duck chow mein. Throughout the weekend, the team is even running free distillery tours and creating a bunch of cocktail pairings to go with its big feeds. 

For Barbecued Eats and Beats: Grazeland

Dads out in Melbourne's west are sorted for Father's Day this year, as Grazeland transforms into a beer and barbecue wonderland all weekend long. From Friday, August 30–Sunday, September 1, the site's barbecue operators — Zuya African BBQ, El Gaucho Argentinean BBQ, Smokeworks BBQ, BratBoy, Flame Skewers, Mr. Toum, Tandoori Land, Colombo and The Burgie Barare — are grilling a huge selection of eats. 

Beer deals are also on the docket for this one, with Little Creatures, James Squire and Fixation pouring throughout the three days. Rounding out the festival is a heap of entertainment, including live bands, DJs and kid-friendly activities. 

For Animal Lovers: Healesville Sanctuary

This wholesome and family-friendly Father's Day event at Healesville Sanctuary is an absolute treat. During the afternoon of Sunday, September 1, the zoo's team is running a sausage sizzle, hosting a live band and giving away a complimentary beer to all dads. There'll even be a few marshmallow roasting stations for kids and adults alike to enjoy. 

To take advantage of the Father's Day activities, you just need to email the team and let them know how many people are attending. You'll need to purchase your own food and drinks, but access to the event is included in your usual Healesville Sanctuary ticket price. 

For Sunday Roasts and Steins of Beer: Molly Rose

There are stacks of restaurants that cater for big groups, but Molly Rose is gunning for the top spot this year with its Steins and Pork Knuckles Lunch. The Father's Day set menu will only cost you $45 a head, and it comes packed with hearty roast favourites — with plenty of Molly Rose's signature Southeast Asian influences. 

And as this is a brewery, you best expect a few cheeky beer deals. First off, you and your dad can get $22 steins of the team's Lager #3 throughout the day, or two schooners of beer and a glass of wine for just $30. Alternatively, if your dad is up for a more classic lunch, Melbourne's best Sunday roast spots will also hit the right spot. 

For a Sweet Treat: Piccolina and Pidapipo

Not all Father's Day treats have to include outings to Melbourne restaurants and bars. Sometimes, you just want to hang out at home and have some family time. If that's your plan, but you still want to do something a little special, think about pre-ordering some of Piccolina's limited-edition gelato ice cream sandwiches. The Piccolina team has joint focus with Rocco's Deli to make these decadent sweet treats just for Father's Day.

But it's not the only Melbourne gelateria making something special for dads. Pidapipo is bringing back its tubs of tiramisu, which feature layers of mascarpone gelato, Savoiardi biscuits soaked in espresso, sweet sherry syrup, gianduja ganache and chocolate shavings. 

Petrina Tinslay

For a Lavish Jazz-Filled Lunch: Reine and la Rue

Reine and La Rue is home to one of the finest dining spaces in all of Melbourne. And it's also hosting one of the most decadent Father's Day meals in Melbourne. For lunch on Sunday, the team has not only created a special $180 set menu, but has also brought on a jazz band to play throughout the day. 

When booking, you can also choose to surprise your dad with an additional whisky flight or macaron box. Yes, this lunch ain't cheap. It's definitely for those dining out without a budget. 

Suxzie Q

For Set Menu Deals: MAMAS Dining Group

MAMAS Dining Group (Hochi Mama, Straight Outta Saigon, Kiss and Tell, Windsor Wine Room and Suzie Q) is getting on the Father's Day banquet train this year, offering special set menus at all six of its venues. They'll cost just $59.50 per person, and come with a slew of sharing dishes (including dessert). 

Alternatively, we always recommend checking out our group dining guides: Melbourne's best set menus under $100, top-notch BYO restaurants, venues that are perfect for group bookings and the city's top private dining rooms. We are spoilt for choice, whether it's Father's Day or not. 

For Meat Lovers: G.McBean Family Butcher

If you don't want to dine out on Father's Day but still want to treat your pop, the G.McBean Family Butcher has a few options for you. For the Father's Day weekend, the team is cutting up its Cape Grim dry-aged ribeye to order, and is giving away 100 grams of its house-made jamon butter with every ribeye.

It's also selling lamb masterclass tickets ($495), where meat lovers learn how to take apart a whole lamb. Not only do you get some carving skills under your belt, but you take home a custom apron, cooler bag, boning knife, and the entire side of lamb that you butcher — including cuts such as leg, mid-loin chops, chump chops and rack of lamb. And if your meat-loving papa prefers a meal out, consider booking a table at one of Melbourne's best steak joints. 

David's Prahran

For a Bottomless Feed: David's Yum Cha

If you prefer a more casual, all-you-can-eat feast for Father's Day in Melbourne, then you've got to check out David's in Prahran. On Sunday, the team will serve up its bottomless yum cha ($72), which includes over 16 different dim sum dishes.

Once you've tried each of them, the staff will return and see what items you want again. There's no limit to what they'll bring you, just as long as you scoff it all down within your two-hour dining window. 

Top image: Moonhouse