It sneaks up on us every year, but this year, take charge and plan your Father’s Day lunch early. Brisbane is flushed with eateries from New Farm to the south. A new wave of Italian establishments popping up all over the city is cementing Brisbane’s love of all things pizza and pasta. There are vegetable-forward menus, celebrated chefs, and exciting new talents coming into the dining scene.
With that said, we’ve rounded up some of the best Father’s Day lunches in Brisbane to book. Whether your dad prefers a dry-aged steak or a big bowl of pasta, you’ll find something for everyone below.
Settimo
CBD
Newly opened, Settimo is the brainchild of the legendary Guy Grossi and an ideal option for Father’s Day lunch. The menu channels Tuscan fare, with snippets of the Amalfi Coast, spanning traditional Campanian dishes such as a classic Pasta al Limone and Calamari alla Griglia. The restaurant is known for its homely and wholesome atmosphere, making it the perfect place to share a meal with the family.
W Brisbane WET Deck
CBD
You don’t have to be a guest to enjoy the WET Deck. This Father’s Day, the stylish laid-back restaurant is offering a special menu item: smoked beef ribs and a bucket of beers for $60. The ribs are served with truffle mashed potato, roasted heirloom carrots, and hot chilli honey broccoli. Who’s dad doesn’t love ribs? Or beers, for that matter?
Babylon
Brisbane City
If waterfront dining is at the top of your requirements for Father’s Day this year, Babylon Brisbane has two packages available. Babylon Garden, with extensive outdoor seating and views onto Brisbane River and Story Bridge, is keeping it easy breezy this year with a package for $44 per person, which includes your choice of two meze dishes and a beer. No bookings are taken, so if you leave plans to the last minute or don’t like being locked into a package, this is the option for you. If you’d like to spoil Dad a touch more, opt for the restaurant package, which includes a set menu of nine dishes for $88 per person.
Greca
Brisbane City
Enjoy Father’s Day lunch with a side of water views at Greca, a classic Greek restaurant known for its banquet-style feasts. The Father’s Day menu, available at $70 per person, includes multiple starter dishes, including fava dip and marinated olives. You can also add saganaki for $8 per person. For mains, tuck into succulent roast porchetta with roast potatoes, bitter greens, and peas with lemon and feta. To finish, enjoy a sweet baklava served with free Felons Beer for Dad.
Southbank Beer Garden
Southbank
Venture to Brisbane’s only waterfront beer garden for casual vibes and exceptional pub fare, with a special chargrill section dedicated to the best cuts of meat, charred. There’s a butcher’s board, shared between 4 people, stacked with a 300g wagyu rump, half a kilo of buffalo wings, BBQ beef ribs, BBQ pork cutlet, chips and creamy slaw. If that sounds like your dad, this might be your best option.
Stanley Restaurant
Brisbane City
Father’s Day falls on a Sunday, so why not take part in a yum cha for Father’s Day lunch? The Stanley offers a Sunday yum cha complete with two hours of Louis Roederer Champagne. After all, it is a celebration. There is a $60 pp classic banquet, or the premium package will set you back $98 pp. As for the options, think scallop siu mai, steamed garlic and chilli spare ribs, prawn and chive spring rolls, and so much more.
Pilloni
West End
Is your dad always boasting about his gap year in Italy? Treat him to a taste of Sardinia. Pilloni, a new Italian restaurant in West End, champions charcoal cooking and flavour-packed pasta dishes. The ‘culurgiones’ filled with potato, pecorino and mint are tasty morsels of comfort. There’s also an ultra-crispy suckling pig we’re sure your dad will be tucking into. Don’t forget to explore the wine list; it’s wide and varied.
The Paddock
Beechmont
Although not technically in Brisbane, if you’re up for a little family road trip, venture out to the Scenic Rim and soak up the rolling hills of Beechmont. The Paddock is a beautiful farm-to-table restaurant offering a hyperlocal menu, including honey from the onsite beehives and veggies from the garden. The menu is always changing, but you can expect to savour critically-acclaimed cuisine in the form of camel milk gnocchi, coal-grilled beef, salt-baked potato, and more. The cocktail bar also has its own impressive views and an outdoor terrace for those balmy Queensland days.
Related: From Spicy, to Mac and Cheese-Loaded, These Are 5 of the Best Sandwiches in Brisbane
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