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

Father's Day is around the corner (Sunday, September 7), and it's time to get a little creative this year. You can do better than another pair of socks and a run-of-the-mill brunch to celebrate your dad, granddad, uncle, brother, or other father figure in your life. 

We've rounded up the best things to do this Father's Day, whether it's a cooking class with the kids, a barbecue among furry friends, a free haircut accompanied by a cold beer, or an all-you-can-eat yum cha feast. If you're looking for more, check out Melbourne's best set menus under $100, top spots to BYO, or venues that are perfect for group bookings. Whatever you choose, be sure to make Father's Day a memorable one this year.

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

David's Prahran

For a Bottomless Feed: David's Yum Cha

Head to David's (in Prahran or the CBD) this Father's Day to treat the family to bottomless yum cha, which includes a selection of more than 16 dim sum dishes. Think san choi bao, peking duck pancakes, spring rolls, shu mai, fried chicken and pork buns. 

The easy part is not having to choose because you can taste it all. The hard part is trying not to get full too quickly so you can get your money's worth. Hot tip: Always save room for the white chocolate dumplings. 

Queen Victoria Market

For an Interactive Activity with the Kids: a Cooking Class at Queen Victoria Market

If you're looking for a way to get the kids to spend some quality time with the father figure in their life this Father's Day, give a hands-on cooking class at the Queen Victoria Market a go. Chef Tobie Puttock and his daughter will guide participants (suitable for kids ages ten and above) through a cooking class that focuses on a zero-waste philosopy.   

The class will take place in the Moving Feast Kitchen, an initiative led by social enterprise STREAT. This program aims to drastically reduce the amount of produce that goes to waste each year at the market. Over three tonnes of food have been saved since May 2024, and initiatives such as the Father's Day cooking class will contribute to improving this already impressive statistic.

For an Italian Party: Marameo

If you're looking to kick off your shoes this Father's Day, head to Marameo's one-off Sunday session this September. Doors will open at noon, and bookings are available until 3:45 pm. 

Marameo prides itself on being Italian-born but Melbourne-bred. It boasts a bold menu with dishes such as Italo disco lamb ribs, wagyu tartare cannoli and pork cotoletta with chilli salsa verde. Special mention must be made of the coveted cacio e pepe pasta with black truffles and the 10-cheese lasagna with mushrooms. Dine à la carte or go for Head Chef Geoff Martin's Father's Day set menu.   

For a Spot of Shopping: the Makers & Shakers Market

If you're looking for something different to do this Father's Day, why not head to the Makers & Shakers Market at the Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building for a spot of retail therapy. The market is proudly made up of all-Australian stallholders, with more than 180 makers, designers and producers showing off their goods.

It's a good thing the market is running from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, September 6, and Sunday, September 7, as there is much to see and do. Try the newly crowned winner of Ballarat's Best Pie, head to Awkward Portraits for a family photo, get creative at a collage workshop, drop the littles off at the Kids Zone, join an hour-long guided spirits tasting session and treat yourself to a hot Italian sub from Rocco's Bologna Discoteca.  

For Gourmet Catering at Home: Ruben's Deli

If you plan to stay in this Father's Day but want to take the stress out of entertaining, let Ruben's Deli do the hard work for you with their gourmet catering options. Signature boxes include the pastrami box, toasted Reuben sandwich box, bagel box, roast chicken box, blini box, antipasti box and smoked fish box. There are also a variety of mains, sides and desserts to choose from, such as Ruben's famous cinnamon babkas and chiffon cakes.

Catering orders should be confirmed at least 36 hours before pick up, however, if you are more of a last-minute host, the Armadale store is stocked daily with their gourmet goodies.

For a Vegan Feast: Lona Misa

For the modern dad who has moved beyond meat and three veg, head to Lona Misa this Father's Day for an all-out vegan feast. The Latin-leaning set menu curated for Father's Day includes the likes of watermelon ceviche, chargrilled shiitake mushroom skewers with aji amarillo and fried sweet potato, and Peruvian-style chicken a la brasa. 

Lona Misa's signature punny cocktails will take your celebrations up a notch. Try the Panic at the Pisco! with vermouth, passionfruit and lime, or the Rye, Rye, Miss American Chai with rye whiskey, chai syrup and Aztec chocolate bitters. The four-course tasting menu is available from 2–6 September.

For a Sunday Roast and Free Pint of Guinness: the Ganley Group Pubs

You can't go wrong with a Sunday Roast and a pint of Guinness for Father's Day. Especially when said pint is free. This Father's Day, head to the Bay Hotel Mornington, the Fifth Province or the Windsor Castle (all of Ganley Group) for a special King Island Roast Beef Sirloin served with all the trimmings. 

Liam Ganley, Director of the Ganley Group, says that their "venues are built on creating moments that matter, and Father's Day is the perfect chance to gather around the table, share a great meal, and show appreciation in the most classic way possible." Sounds pretty good to us. The complimentary Guinness is on offer for all pre-booked Father's Day reservations, so go ahead and make your booking now.

For Great Beer and Free Haircuts: Pirate Life Brewery

The much-loved Father's Day celebration returns to Pirate Life in South Melbourne this September. The crew at Pirate Life are going the extra mile to make the father figure in your life feel like a legend this Father's Day. There will be a pop-up barber shop offering free cuts and trims, a free can cooler given away with Dad's first pint, and complimentary four-packs handed out to tables booked in advance. 

We don't have to tell you that the beer will be cold and flowing generously, and the food will be hearty and plentiful.

For a Wholesome Family Outing: Father's Day Barbecue at Healesville Sanctuary 

Tickets are on sale now for the fluffiest, most wholesome Father's Day barbecue at the Healesville Sanctuary. You can expect a buffet lunch, live music, face painting, lawn games and other activities designed to make this a memorable family day out.    

Kids will be enticed with marshmallow roasting stations, and dads will be rewarded with a complimentary beer on arrival.

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 pork knuckle lunch special. The Father's Day set menu is packed with hearty roast favourites such as gravy, roast potatoes and cabbage salad. 

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, and they'll even throw in a free Michelada for dad. With a kids' menu and vegetarian and vegan options, the whole family will be well looked after.  

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.

Head to Hochi Mama for snapper sashimi and massaman curry, Windor Wine Room for chilli crab spaghetti and tiramisu, Straight Outta Saigon for lamb skewers and pork belly, or Suzie Q for barbecue pork buns and black sesame cheesecake. So many options, so little time. 

For a Special Sweet Treat: Pidapipo

Pidapipo welcomes back their viral Papamisu dessert to make Father's Day extra sweet this year. The tub of tiramisu is filled with layers of mascarpone gelato, Savoiardi biscuits, espresso and sweet cherry syrup, gianduja ganache and chocolate shavings.

Head in store to grab one before they are all gone, or try your luck on Uber Eats or Doordash.

Top image: Ashley Ludkin