Treat your dad this Father’s Day and take him for a scrumptious lunch at these Brisbane and Gold Coast hot spots.
It might just be us, but there’s just something about dads and food, so why not give him what he loves this Father’s Day and spoil him with some grub from one of Brisbane’s best?
Whether you’re in the city or the Gold Coast, we’ve found a bunch of restaurants, bistros, bars and grills that are sure to be Father’s Day wins.
Just remember to book early to make sure you get a table.
Brisbane City
Customs House, Brisbane
One of Brisbane’s heritage icons, Customs House features an award-winning restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating.
There are a range of menus to choose from, including a Sunday breakfast and signature two-course lunch, alongside the traditional restaurant menu.
If you’re looking to treat dad to a more formal dining experience in the city, Customs House is a great pick.
Address: 399 Queen Street, Brisbane
Saké, Brisbane
Try something a little different than mod-Aus and go Japanese for Father's Day. Saké has been awarded a Queensland Good Food Guide chef’s hat every year since it opened.
The Eagle Pier restaurant offers both an à la carte and bespoke menu specially curated for him, which can be enjoyed in the main restaurant, at traditional Japanese sunken tables or in one of the restaurant’s private dining rooms.
Address: Level 1, 45 Eagle Street, Brisbane
Black Bird Bar & Grill, Brisbane
Fancy is the word you're looking for when describing Black Bird Bar & Grill. It's a restaurant that needs no introduction, sitting on the banks of the Brisbane River and pushing out quality modern Australian dishes from its kitchen.
It's the place you go to for a big "do" like Father's Day particularly if you wish to be lavish about it. Go on, you know he deserves this.
Address: 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane
Kingsley’s Brisbane
Formally Kingsley’s Steak & Crabhouse, Kingley's Brisbane has secured its place as the home of some of Brisbane’s best steaks, which is always a winning dish for dad on his special day.
He can choose from a range of cuts, from the classic Angus rump to the gluttonous Wagyu rib eye with a marble score of 7+. Aside from the food, the riverside restaurant boasts stellar views of Story Bridge.
Address: Riparian Plaza, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane
Website: Kingsley’s Brisbane
George’s Paragon, Brisbane
Known for serving up some of the freshest Mediterranean-style seafood, George’s Paragon dishes up mouth-watering Greek cuisine on the banks of Brisbane River.
The restaurant offers set three-course lunches. If you’re looking to get outside of the city, there are four locations along the Queensland coast.
Address: Eagle Street Pier, 1 Eagle Street, Brisbane
Website: George’s Paragon
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Southbank and South Brisbane
The Charming Squire, South Brisbane
What dad doesn’t like beer? That’s why we think taking dad to a brewery is a winning option for Father’s Day. The Charming Squire is a working James Squire brewery with dining available in plain sight of the brewing process.
There’s a restaurant, bar and brewer’s pantry menu, each packed with options like gourmet pizza, salads, steaks and fish.
For Father's Day this year, The Charming Squire has cooked up a feast for the senses with an exclusive woodfired dry-aged sirloin on the bone, coupled with kipfler potato à la boulangère, sauce meunière and café de Paris butter.
Order it and get a free off-the-wood beer to wash it down and he'll be leaving one happy chappy.
Address: 133 Grey Street, South Brisbane
Greenhouse Canteen & Bar, South Brisbane
Clean and green dads may already frequent Greenhouse Canteen, but there's no reason to not surprise him on his special day with a treat he already knows he loves.
Fresh produce is paired with a vegan menu to deliver unique eats that'll leave you feeling good about your treat. Think zucchini bolognese, jackfruit enchiladas and pandan pancakes.
Finished with a seasonally driven desert, naturally.
Address: Cnr Russell and Manning Streets, South Brisbane
Popolo, South Brisbane
Popolo literally translates to "people" in Italian and is where people collect to wine, dine and catch up over meals that taste like nonna's home cooking.
The view, though, is probably a little more extravagant than at nonna's. Located in Southbank the views over the river are utterly spectacular and whether you're dining on a selection of antipasto, sharing plates of pumpkin ravioli and Wagyu ragu or pulling at pieces of pizza, you shouldn't miss the chance to chink wine glasses to it as you wish dad a happy Father's Day.
Address: River Quay, R3 Sidon Street, South Bank
GoMA Restaurant, Southbank
Make Father’s Day a cultural experience and head to the Gallery of Modern Art. After browsing the gallery, you can dine at the multi-award winning GoMA Restaurant.
The venue received two 2017 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide chef’s hats and chef Josue Lopez was named 2016 Citi Chef of the Year.
If that’s not enough to convince you, we’re not sure what will.
Address: Stanley Place, Southbank
Website: GoMA Restaurant
South Bank Surf Club, South Brisbane
Situated on the banks of the Brisbane River, within easy reach of Streets Beach, is the South Bank Surf Club.
It’s a great spot to treat pops to a casual lunch complete with pub classics like fish and chips, burgers and steak and a selection of cold beers on tap.
Address: 30aa Stanley Street Plaza, South Bank Parklands, South Brisbane
Website: South Bank Surf Club
Fortitude Valley and New Farm
Les Bubbles Bar and Bistro, Fortitude Valley
Inspired by Parisian steakhouses where steaks and frites (fries) take center stage, Les Bubbles Bar and Bistro is where friends and family collect over steaks seared to your liking.
Couple that with plates of bottomless fries and Dad is sure to be smiling from ear to ear by the end of the meal.
Address: 144 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley
Cloudland, Fortitude Valley
If food decisions are a problem in your family, Cloudland can set you straight with its variety of set menus that start from as little as $39.50 per person.
How's that for budgeting out your Father's Day meal plans?
The cuisine of choice is Italian with arancini balls and deli plates taking out the first course and ragus, pizzas and pastas taking out the second. You also have the choice to add drinks to your package for extra.
Address: 641 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Gerard's Bar, Fortitude Valley
While it may not be ideal for large groups, if it’s just you and dad looking for a damn good burger, this is a great pick.
Goodfood.com.au dubs Gerard’s Bar one of the top burger bars in Brisbane.
The idea of a double Wagyu and bacon pattie topped with tomato relish, cheese, mustard and pickles already has our mouths watering.
Address: 13a, 23 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Website: Gerard’s Bar
Gerard's Bistro, Fortitude Valley
Located just down the street from Gerard’s Bar, Gerard’s Bistro offers a sophisticated dining experience more suited to a bigger party.
The restaurant serves up a twist on North African and Southern European cuisine and was scored 15.5/20 by the Good Food Guide.
Address: 14/15 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Website: Gerard’s Bistro
The Smoke BBQ, New Farm (formerly Blue Smoke)
Dads and barbeques go hand in hand, so treat him to a proper Southern-style barbeque.
We’re talking sticky ribs, pulled pork and crispy chicken wings. You can choose to eat in or take away at this New Farm joint, which The Urban List says is home to some of Brisbane’s best ribs.
Address: 85 Merthyr Road, New Farm
Website: The Smoke BBQ
Spicers Balfour Hotel
You are in Queensland, after all, so why not treat your dad to an alfresco lunch on a classic Queenslander verandah?
The Balfour Kitchen offers just that. The cuisine is modern Australia and being part of a boutique hotel, the restaurant also sits below a rooftop bar which offers panoramic views of the city.
Address: 37 Balfour Street, New Farm
Website: The Balfour Kitchen
Gold Coast
Hurricane’s Grill & Bar, Surfers Paradise
You can never go wrong with BBQ and with options of steaks up to a "Goliath" one kilogram T-bone or rump, Hurricane’s is no exception.
The popular chain’s Gold Coast location is just off Cavill Avenue and is a short stroll from the beach.
Address: 1/4-14 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Bavarian Bier Cafe, Broadbeach
A chain that's made its way all across Australia, it's easy to see why Bavarian Bier Cafe is an all-out favourite.
From its fun and energetic atmosphere and top-notch fodder to its vast selection of local and imported beers and generous outdoor area no matter which way you look at it, you're winning Father's Day this year with a table for him and family not moments from the water at the Bavarian Bier Cafe.
Address: 2 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
Galaxy Seafood and Mediterranean Restaurant, Southport
Juicy lobster, barbequed bugs, smoked salmon… alright, we’ll stop drooling now.
There’s nothing quite like fresh seafood when you’re on the coast and this restaurant dishes up just that. It's open seven days a week, even on public holidays and has an extensive wine and cocktail list to pair with his seafood meal.
Address: Shop 6, 50 Marine Parade, Southport
Blue Owl Café & Restaurant
The people of TripAdvisor have spoken and ranked this cafe/restaurant as the top spot to dine in Tweed Heads.
We’re inclined to agree as the idea of treating dad to a fish and chips, salt and pepper calamari and beef cheeks on Father’s Day sounds just about perfect.
Address: 129 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads
Website: Blue Owl Café
Glass Dining & Lounge Bar, Main Beach
Go all-out this Father’s Day and indulge your dad with some waterside dining complete with extraordinary views.
The AGFG-hatted restaurant serves chargrilled slipper lobsters, Tasmanian salmon marinated in miso, steak eye fillet and glass beer-battered fish and hand-cut chips.
Address: 27/74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Website: Glass Dining & Lounge Bar
Father's Day buffet lunch in Brisbane
Motion Bar and Grill, CBD
Housed inside the Brisbane Marriott, Motion Bar and Grill prides itself in using only the finest, locally-sourced ingredients, many of which are grown or sourced within 100 kilometres of the establishment. Grills and à la carte are available though the one you're eyeing is the seafood buffet.
This comes out Friday and Saturday nights, so you'll have to celebrate Father's Day a little early.
But with succulent fresh seafoods to savour over, we doubt he'll even notice.
Address: 515 Queen St, Brisbane
The Eatery at Four Points by Sheraton, Brisbane
Everyone loves a hotel breakfast buffet. Consider scrapping the traditional lunch and go for brunch at a CBD hotel.
Indulge your dad with all the bacon, sausage, eggs, pastries and cereals he can cram in.
Address: 99 Mary Street, Brisbane
Website: The Eatery
Thyme2 Restaurant at Sofitel Brisbane, CBD
The world's best culinary tastes come together under the roof of Thyme2 inside Sofitel Brisbane. Buffets grace its tables daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring seafood freshly-picked from the market and desserts made in the in-house patisserie.
On Sundays, the restaurant opens early for dinner at 5:30pm, making it an exceptional choice for families.
Those who have little ones can also order up a petit buffet for the petit price of $10.
Address: 249 Turbot Street, Brisbane
Website: Thyme2 Restaurant
The Brasserie on the River, Brisbane CBD
With a name like this, you can expect a view to match and this brasserie does not disappoint. Overlooking the Brisbane River, it boasts breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets on top of its à la carte options.
The menu rotates with the seasons and features both seafood and carvery options to please the masses.
For those seeking a lighter option, The Brasserie on the River also serves high tea over the weekends ranging from the traditional, the indulgent (chocolate) and the not-so-naughty (low sugar).
Address: Corner of Margaret & Edward Streets, Brisbane
Website: The Brasserie on the River
Top Father's Day lunch deals in Brisbane
$25 for $50 to spend on Chinese food
Groupon
Four Points by Sheraton dining experience from $19.50
Groupon
Two- or three-course meal with wine from $55
Groupon
2-course Italian feast with wine from $39
Scoopon
Seafood feast for two from $29
Scoopon
Lunch with wine or beer in the CBD from $24
Scoopon
