Father’s Day in Australia falls on Sunday, 6 September 2026.
Booking a table for Father’s Day? We might be a little biased, but the best Father’s Day restaurants in Australia are on Now Book It.
It’s the perfect excuse to put Dad’s cooking duties on pause and treat him to a seriously good meal. Whether he’s a steak-and-chips traditionalist, a long-lunch lover or the kind of dad who’s always up for trying somewhere new, we’ve rounded up the tables worth booking now across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria.
So grab the family, pick your favourite spot and get in quick, because the best seats won’t wait around for Dad.
Queensland
1. River House
If Dad deserves a Father’s Day lunch with a little more wow factor, book a table at River House. Sitting right on the Nerang River in Southport, River House brings waterfront views, a relaxed-but-polished atmosphere and a menu that jumps from fresh seafood and Moreton Bay bugs to Wagyu, lamb and plenty of sides made for sharing. Add a few drinks, settle in and let Dad enjoy the kind of long lunch where nobody’s in a rush to leave.
Location: 2 Barney Street, Southport
Hours: Monday & Thursday 12 – 11pm; Friday 12 – 11pm,
Saturday 7am – 11pm, Sunday 7am – 4pm
2. The Beechmont Hotel
For the dad who’d choose a cold drink, smoked brisket and live music over a fancy degustation any day, The Beechmont Hotel is calling. Tucked into the Gold Coast hinterland, this laid-back country pub brings the good stuff: hearty smokehouse food, wide-open mountain air, live music and plenty of room to settle in with the whole family. Come hungry, grab a table and make a proper day of it, because Father’s Day at The Beechmont is all about good food, good tunes and giving Dad exactly what he wants.
Location: 402 Nerang-Murwillumbah Road, Advancetown
Hours: Monday to Thursday 11.30am – 2.30pm & 5pm – 8.30pm; Friday to Sunday 11.30am – 8.30pm
New South Wales
3. Anchor & Ale
If Dad is happiest when there’s seafood on the table and a cold drink in hand, Anchor & Ale is a pretty safe bet. This family-owned Castle Hill spot keeps things relaxed with fresh seafood, sizzling grills and plenty of crowd-pleasing options, from seafood platters and fish and chips to surf & turf and juicy burgers. With a cosy atmosphere and a menu made for settling in with the family, it’s the kind of Father’s Day lunch where Dad can simply sit back, dig in and let someone else do the cooking for once.
Location: 3–9 Terminus Street, Castle Hill
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 5pm – 10pm; Friday to Sunday 11am – 3pm & 5pm – 10pm
4. BahBQ Brazilian Grill
Forget the traditional Sunday roast — this Father’s Day, turn up the heat at BahBQ. This Brazilian grill in Crows Nest is all about churrasco: fire-roasted meats cooked over natural charcoal and carved straight onto your plate, with the feast keeping coming as you work your way through the menu. Add Brazilian sides, grilled pineapple, a few cocktails and plenty of good conversation, and you’ve got a Father’s Day meal that feels more like an occasion than just lunch.
Location: 35 Albany St, Crows Nest
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 6pm – 8pm; Friday 5.30pm – 9pm;
Saturday 11.30am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 9pm; Sunday 12pm – 2.30pm & 5.30pm – 8pm
5. Restaurant Luma by Lovat
Some occasions call for a little more polish, and Lovat makes an easy pick for a Father’s Day lunch or dinner. This modern local eatery keeps things centred around quality produce, with market-fresh seafood, premium steaks and fresh gnocchi made in-house daily. Start with a few plates for the table, settle into something from the grill and let the meal take its time — the kind of spot that makes a family catch-up feel like a proper occasion without being too formal.
Location: 316–324 Barrenjoey Road, Newport
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 5pm – 10pm; Friday to Sunday 8am – 10pm
6. The Basin Dining Room
Make a day of it with a table overlooking the ocean at The Basin Dining Room. Perched right on the dunes at Mona Vale Beach, this is the kind of spot where the view does half the entertaining, while a seasonal, produce-driven menu takes care of the rest. With fresh local ingredients, a buzzy coastal atmosphere and a special Father’s Day lunch on the menu, it’s a pretty great excuse to slow down, settle in and let the good times roll with a salty sea breeze in the background.
Location: 1 Surfview Rd, Mona Vale
Hours:Daily 12pm – 3pm & 5pm – late
7. The Herring Room
Seafood lovers, this one’s for you. Just a short stroll from Manly Beach, The Herring Room is a cosy seafood bistro where the menu is built around sustainably sourced seafood and seasonal Australian produce. For Father’s Day, they’re going all out with a three-course degustation plus snacks, featuring oysters, market sashimi, Black Angus sirloin and a Biscoff Basque cheesecake to finish. Add a BYO bottle to the table and settle in for a long, leisurely lunch that feels a little bit special.
Location: 94 Pittwater Road, Manly
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 5.30pm – late; Friday to Saturday 12pm – late
South Australia
8. Ambleside Distillers
A Father’s Day trip to the Adelaide Hills deserves more than just a meal, and Ambleside Distillers has the whole afternoon covered. Set among gardens, gum trees and paddocks in Hahndorf, this working distillery is made for lingering, whether that means kicking things off with a gin tasting flight, settling in for a long lunch or simply ordering a cocktail and a few plates to share. With seasonal food, house-made spirits and plenty of space to slow down, it’s a Father’s Day outing that turns lunch into an afternoon adventure.
Location: Ambleside Road & Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf
Hours:Monday 12pm – 6pm; Wednesday to Friday 12pm – 6pm;
Saturday to Sunday 11am – 6pm
9. Ruby Red Flamingo
Bring an appetite and leave the sensible Father’s Day plans at the door. Ruby Red Flamingo serves up Italian comfort food in a gorgeous heritage setting, with pasta, gnocchi, chargrilled meats and plenty of dishes made for sharing. Settle into the garden, order a bottle of something good and let the plates keep landing on the table. With its lively atmosphere and slightly quirky charm, it’s the perfect place to spoil Dad with a proper Italian feast, and maybe convince him to share the tiramisu.
Location: 142 Tynte St, North Adelaide
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 5.30pm – 9.30pm;
Friday 12.30pm – 2.30pm & 5.30pm – 9.30pm; Saturday 5.30pm – 10pm
Western Australia
10. Nikola Estate
Wine, a long lunch and a Swan Valley vineyard setting? Sounds like a pretty solid Father’s Day plan to us. At Nikola Estate, settle in for a relaxed two-course feast featuring dishes like Beef Wellington, crispy-skin duck and Rottnest Island swordfish, with something sweet to finish. Then, if Dad isn’t ready to call it a day, wander through the estate, grab a wine tasting and make an afternoon of it. Basically, Father’s Day with a little more vino and a lot less washing up.
Location: 148 Dale Road, Middle Swan
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 10am – 5pm
11. The Heart Applecross
For a Father’s Day catch-up that feels relaxed without being ordinary, The Heart Applecross is a great place to settle in. Right by the Canning River, this neighbourhood spot is all about modern comfort food, generous sharing dishes and an easygoing atmosphere that makes lingering over lunch feel effortless. Grab a few plates for the table, order Dad something cold from the bar and settle in for an afternoon of good food and even better company. Basically, the kind of Sunday where nobody needs to rush home.
Location:59 Canning Beach Rd, Applecross
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 12pm – 10pm; Friday to Saturday 12pm – 11pm
Victoria
13. Voula's Taverna
If Father’s Day calls for big plates, good wine and a table full of people, Voula’s Taverna has you covered. This Hawthorn East taverna brings a taste of Greece to Burwood Road, with a relaxed setting that’s made for settling in over a long lunch or dinner. Think generous Greek flavours, plenty to share and the kind of atmosphere where one drink somehow turns into “shall we order another round?” A great excuse to gather the family, raise a glass and give Dad a very Greek-style feast.
Location: 644 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn East
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 5pm – 11pm; Sunday 12pm – 10pm
14. Orson
For something a little more special this Father’s Day, make the trip down the Peninsula to Orson Dining. Housed in the arcade of Rosebud’s old theatre, this refined-but-relaxed restaurant puts the Mornington Peninsula front and centre, with seasonal produce, local seafood, thoughtful cooking and wines from nearby producers. Think mulloway from the bay, vegetables from local growers and a menu that changes with the seasons, all served in a space that feels polished without taking itself too seriously. The perfect excuse to treat Dad to a long lunch and make a day of it.
Location: 1017 Point Nepean Rd, Rosebud
Hours: Monday 12pm – 3pm & 5pm – 9pm; Thursday 5.30pm – 9pm;
Friday to Saturday 12pm – 3pm & 5.30pm – 9pm; Sunday 12pm – 3pm
Frequently asked questions
When is Father's Day 2026 in Australia?
Father’s Day in Australia and New Zealand falls on Sunday, 6 September 2026. Unlike the US and UK, which celebrate dads in June, Australia marks the day on the first Sunday of September each year.
How far in advance should I book a Father's Day restaurant table?
Restaurants known for long lunches, set menus or waterfront views tend to book out fastest. Aim to reserve one to two weeks ahead for popular spots, and even earlier for venues running a dedicated Father’s Day set menu or degustation.
What kind of restaurants are best for Father's Day?
It depends on Dad. Steakhouses, seafood restaurants, breweries and pubs with a relaxed long-lunch vibe are consistently popular Father’s Day picks, along with wineries and distilleries for a full-day outing.
Is Father's Day a public holiday in Australia?
No. Father’s Day is not a public holiday in Australia, so most restaurants, cafes and pubs operate on their normal Sunday hours — though many add special set menus or extended sittings for the occasion.
Do restaurants offer a special Father's Day menu?
Some venues run dedicated Father’s Day set menus, degustations or breakfast specials, so it’s worth checking directly with the venue or their booking page when you reserve.
Can I book a Father's Day table directly online?
Yes. Every venue listed here has a direct booking link that lets you reserve online through their booking widget.