The Best Places in Brisbane to Take the Dad in Your Life This Father's Day (or Any Day)
Whether your father figure loves hearty breakfasts, cold ones by the river, rooftop brews, top-notch steaks or flinging darts, Brisbane isn't short on places to go.
Each year, the dad in your life might tell you that Father's Day is just another day — but it's not. It isn't the only date on the calendar that you should make as special as possible for whichever paternal influence you're celebrating, but it's still a devoted dad occasion when everyone is cherishing father figures.
Whether yours loves hearty breakfasts, cold ones by the river, rooftop brews, top-notch steaks or flinging darts — or sipping spirits, combining a meal with some shopping and tucking into sushi, too — Brisbane isn't short on places to go. Need a few ideas? Here are our picks of the best spots in Brisbane to head to on dad's dedicated day, or with your fatherly influence on any day.
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Restaurant
Supernormal Brisbane
443 Queen Street, Brisbane City
Andrew McConnell has expanded his Melbourne restaurant to Brisbane, bringing its lobster rolls and Asian-influenced dishes to a prime riverside location.
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Bar
The Rose & Crown
275 Grey Street, South Brisbane
South Bank's new London-inspired pub has taken over Little Big House's old digs on Grey Street.
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Restaurant
Fatcow on James St
10 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Wagyu tasting boards and booths with floor-to-ceiling curtains await at this relocated and revamped steakhouse, a past Eagle Street Pier favourite.
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Bar
Hervé's Restaurant and Bar
31-37 Collingwood Street, Albion
Restaurateur and entrepreneur Hervé Dudognon is serving up French-inspired dishes and wine in Albion's revamped timber mill.
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Restaurant
Stanley
5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City
A two-level Cantonese bar and restaurant at Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves.
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Restaurant
Establishment 203
6 Marshall Street, Fortitude Valley
Ben O'Donoghue has opened an Italian and steak restaurant in Fortitude Valley.
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Restaurant
Emme
22 James Street, Fortitude Valley
You'll find this woodfired eatery serving up a Jordanian- and Moroccan-inspired menu in Spoon Deli Cafe's old James Street digs.
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Bar
Claw BBQ & Grill Brisbane
56 King Street, Bowen Hills
If you're after seafood, boozy slushies and watching sport, King Street has just the 1000-person crab shack for it.
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Restaurant
Calida Argentinian
164C Grey Street, South Brisbane
This sizzling Latin American steakhouse in South Bank serves up everything from empanadas and bistec tartar to pressed beef short ribs.
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Bar
Bar Miette
443 Queen Street, Brisbane City
Andrew McConnell's hospitality empire has arrived in Brisbane with this Euro-leaning terrace cafe and wine bar.
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Bar
Maniax Brisbane CBD
Burnett Lane, Brisbane City
This second Brisbane site for the axe-throwing chain comes with a Viking-themed bar — and will get you hurling hatchets on Adelaide Street.
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Bar
Riverbar & Kitchen
71 Eagle Street, Brisbane City
Watch the boats slink down the river with an ice-cold cocktail in hand.
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Restaurant
Donna Chang
171 George Street, Brisbane City
A luxe Chinese fine diner in Brisbane's CBD.
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Restaurant
Short Grain
15 Marshall Street, Fortitude Valley
Martin Boetz has launched a Thai restaurant and Asian food store in Fortitude Valley.
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Restaurant
Como
119 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane
This modern Italian restaurant in South Brisbane takes its cues from Lake Como.
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Bar
BrewDog Fortitude Valley
235 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Not content with one Brisbane venue, BrewDog has opened a second River City location — a three-level Fortitude Valley beer bar on Brunswick Street.
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Restaurant
Rich & Rare
97 Boundary Street, West End
This West End steak haven takes its cues from Manhattan — and encourages upscale surf 'n' turf combos.
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Bar
Massimo Restaurant & Bar
123 Eagle Street, Brisbane City
Get a taste of the Amalfi Coast with bottomless lunch and Aperol spritzes on Eagle Street.
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Bar
The Belvedere
Oxley Avenue, Woody Point
Woody Point's 122-year-old pub has relaunched after a $10-million-plus redevelopment.
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Bar
Fosh Bar & Restaurant
39 Hercules Street, Hamilton
Portside is now home to a Hamptons-inspired seafood restaurant with caviar bumps and river views.
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Bar
Death and Taxes Brisbane
36 Burnett Lane, Brisbane City
This old-school bar hidden down a laneway serves up 500 whiskys and plenty of cocktails.
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Bar
Mr Percival's
5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City
The octagonal overwater spot at Howard Smith Wharves serves up seafood, spritzes and European beachside vibes.
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Bar
The Lodge Bar & Dining
49 James Street, Fortitude Valley
New Zealand clothing label Rodd & Gunn has opened a luxe new bar and restaurant on James Street.
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Restaurant
Sushi Room
48 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Hailing from the team behind Hellenika and SK Steak & Oyster, James Street's Japanese fine-diner serves up caviar rolls and wasabi cocktails.
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Bar
Stratton Bar and Kitchen
3 Stratton Street, Newstead
Serving up cacio e pepe udon and cheeseburger bloody marys next to The Triffid, this new bar and eatery hails from Mrs Brown’s Bar & Kitchen owners Ben and Tarryn Brown.
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Bar
Revel Brewing Co Rivermakers
82 Colmslie Road, Morningside
Brisbane’s eastside has a new beer-drinking go-to — a second venue for this local brewery, complete with shady umbrellas, fairy lights, and karaage chicken and burgers on the menu.
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Bar
Valley Hops Brewing
641 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Towering above Ann Street, this sky-high leafy oasis pairs Valley-brewed beers with pizzas, skewers and cheeseboards.
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Bar
1st Edition
22 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley
Sip Spidey's Margs and Ninja Turtle Negronis at California Lane's new 22-seater, which only takes online bookings.
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Restaurant
Embers at The Charming Squire
133 Grey Street, South Brisbane
A sibling venue to the Brewhouse with its own standalone entrance, this new eatery goes heavy on woodfired dishes and wooden decor.
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Restaurant
Lune Croissanterie South Brisbane
15 Manning Street, South Brisbane
Melbourne's acclaimed bakery slings its world-famous croissants and coveted specials in South Brisbane.
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Bar
OTTO Brisbane
Sidon Street, South Brisbane
The revamped site now features three Otto ventures, including its restaurant, a waterside bar and an events space.
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Restaurant
Greca
Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane
A Greek taverna from restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess at Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves precinct.
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Bar
Easy Times Brewing Company
20 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
This Logan Road craft beer pub serves up brews and tacos just across the road from the Gabba.
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Bar
Walter's Steakhouse and Wine Bar
219 Alice Street, Brisbane City
A luxe NYC-inspired steakhouse that heroes local produce.
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Bar
Netherworld
186 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Fortitude Valley's retro arcade and board game bar will ensure that you're never bored while sipping a pint.
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Bar
BrewDog DogTap Brisbane
77 Metroplex Avenue, Brisbane
Open since 2019, the Scottish brewery's first Aussie outpost has arcade games, brunch fare and a bottle shop.