With Father’s Day coming up on Sunday, September 7, we’re willing to bet your social feeds are inundated with gift guides and recommendations for what to get the fathers (and father figures) who have given us so much. But here’s an idea: This year, instead of scrambling to find him a last-minute polo shirt or his seventh ‘World’s Best Dad’ mug, what if you just treated your Dad to a really good meal? Hear us out. Getting out of the house with your family guarantees quality time, minus the awkward ‘you’re so hard to shop for’ gift exchange. If you’re sold on swapping gifts for grub, go ahead and call your Daddy, because we’ve curated a list of Aussie restaurants and pubs that are running Father’s Day specials in 2025. You can thank us later: Flying Fish – Pyrmont, Sydney Source: Supplied Flying Fish is celebrating Father’s Day a bit early. Available Friday 5th and Saturday 6th September, Flying Fish will be serving up a trio of indulgent specials alongside its celebrated à la carte menu. Guests can enjoy an N25 caviar and Jerusalem artichoke tart ($20), a classic steak Diane with beef tenderloin, brandy cream and mustard ($70), and a BBQ hapuka with avgolemono ($65). Bookings are available from 11 am – 10 pm. Toki Bistro and Bar – North Sydney Source: Supplied North Sydney fine dining restaurant Toki is celebrating Father’s Day with a specially curated set menu designed to bring the family together over an unforgettable experience. Dad can enjoy a three-course menu at $90pp, or elevate the occasion to $100pp with a perfectly paired complimentary beverage. The set menu includes dishes like beef tartare with caviar and tendon crisps, spatchcock yakitori with grilled okra and corn, each plate crafted to impress. Finish on a sweet note with desserts, choosing either chocolate cake with orange and cocoa ice cream, or a refreshing coconut, kiwi, pineapple and basil combination. Bookings are available from September 1 – 6. Alpha Dining – Sydney CBD Source: Supplied Celebrate Dad at inner city Greek dining destination, Alpha, this Father’s Day. For one Sunday only, Alpha will open its doors for lunch from 12-3 pm on September 7. There will be a special à la carte menu showcasing some of the restaurant’s signature dishes and Greek flavours, all perfect for sharing. A limited edition Father’s Day dessert ($18) featuring flavours of chocolate, bourbon and figs will also be available. Bookings are available from 12 – 3 pm. Sala – Pyrmont, Sydney Source: Supplied Spoil Dad with a long lunch by the harbour this Father’s Day at Sala. The Italian-inspired waterfront restaurant will be serving three indulgent specials alongside their regular à la carte menu. Settle in by the water for a $48 300gr Slow Cooked Tajima Wagyu, $85 Grilled WA Whole Lobster, and $15 Old Fashioned. Bookings are available from 11:30 am – 3 pm. Deckhouse – Woolwich, NSW Source: Supplied Celebrate Father’s Day with a relaxed family lunch by the water at Deckhouse. With sweeping views across Sydney Harbour, the Woolwich favourite will be serving its seasonal à la carte menu alongside a selection of specials including roast pork belly, troud crudo, steamed kingfish and more signature dishes designed for sharing. The restaurant will operate from 11 am to 3 pm. Crossroads Hotel – Casula, NSW Source: Crossroads Hotel Deals If Dad fancies a roast – this is where you need to take him. Casula’s Crossroads Hotel is celebrating Father’s Day with a supersized carvery stacked with three different meats. Families can settle in for a long lunch, with all the trimmings you’d expect of a pub classic done right. For an extra $15 when booked online, you can even surprise Dad with a custom beer glass engraved with his name and his first beer comped by the venue. Lunch is served from 11 am on Sunday, September 7, until everything’s carved up Dolly – Melbourne CBD Source: Supplied Le Meridien Melbourne’s signature French Bistro, Dolly, will be treating Dad to an indulgent lunch on the house, so he can relax, savour the finest food and celebrate his special day. For lunch service on Sunday, September 7, all dads will receive their main course for free when another main is purchased from Dolly’s à la carte menu. Dad may find himself tucking into freshly-shucked seasonal oysters; scallops paired with dreamy cauliflower and salmon caviar; or for those with a hearty appetite, Dolly’s viral MB2 Porterhouse steak served with crispy French fries and a Robert jus. There’s plenty on offer for dessert (for those yet to try the flaming Bombe Alaska served with salted caramel ice-cream and rum torched meringue, there’s no better time), but a cult-favourite Chocolate Orange Old Fashioned may just do the trick. Bookings are essential. North and Common Melbourne – Coburg, VIC Source: northandcommon.com.au North & Common is inviting families to celebrate Dad with a three-course sharing menu and a glass of tap beer, served within the heritage-listed walls of Pentridge Prison. On Sunday, September 7, the feast begins with sourdough and cultured butter before entrées of salmon ceviche with sorrel crème, kohlrabi and honey dressing, or burrata with salt-baked beetroot, fennel, dill oil and vincotto. Mains spotlight braised beef cheek with winter herbs, perfectly paired with Bridge Road Brewers’ Outsider Lager, served alongside pommes aligot and a mixed greens and endive salad. To finish, North & Common’s citrus and coffee tiramisu promises a sweet ending to the day. Bookings are available from 11:00 am – 2 pm. Maison Bâtard – Melbourne CBD Source: Instagram Dad will definitely say ‘Oui’ to this one. This Father’s Day, French restaurant Maison Bâtard is celebrating with an array of one-day-only specials spanning Truffled Wagyu doughnuts, Beef Bourguignon pie and exceptional 1kg Chauvel Wagyu T-Bone Steak alongside all the standouts from their classic à la carte, oyster bar and Menu de la Maison offerings. Limited reservations are available from 12 am on Sunday, September 7. The Stirling Hotel – Stirling, SA Source:…