Father's Day Gift Ideas: 10 Top Melbourne Restaurants for Dad

He is slick, stylish and always on time. This dad knows his way around a wine list. Over four elegant floors Stella Rooftop offers you delicious Italian meals packed with flavour from the first bite to the last. Pair that with Italian wines from Tuscany to Sicily, and suddenly it’s not just dinner. It’s a little Italian holiday on a plate. 

If Dad still talks about that one lunch in Paris, or if Paris is top of his bucket list, this is your moment. Sitting 55 floors above the city in the iconic Rialto Tower, Vue de Monde pairs unforgettable, French-inspired fine dining with one of the best panoramic views in Melbourne. The menu: classically inspired French cuisine reimagined with Australian ingredients. Perfect for the dad who wants to savour every bite, soak up the view and talk about it for weeks to come.  

If Dad’s ideal Sunday involves a glass of red and a grazing board, Lord Lygon is right up his alley. This elegant wine bar serves natural biodynamic wines with a focus on Victorian, family-run wineries. To eat. A concise Modern Australian menu. Think rick, comforting pasta dishes and a juicy scotch fillet. The charcuterie pairing is a must.  

For the dad who would pick a picnic over fine dining any day of the week. The dad who doesn’t fancy a dress code and would prefer to just walk in. The Boatbuilders Yard serves beer and bites while nailing the easy-going vibe. Open-air seating, cold beer on tap, and a menu full of crowd-pleasers like burgers, slow-cooked brisket, and fish and chips done right. No fuss, no formality, just good food, good drinks, and a view that does all the talking. 

He is the king of the BBQ at home, often seen holding a pair of tongs. But this Father’s Day give him the day off and let the pros take over. At Fancy Hank’s, he can sit back while someone else does the slow cooking. The meats are smoked for up to 22 hours in a custom-built smoker until they’re fall-apart tender. Menu highlights include smoky beef brisket and sticky pork ribs that don’t even need a knife. To drink. A carefully curated list of wine and beer served in a hip, contemporary atmosphere.  

If your dad is always sending you links to new exciting places to try, get ahead of him with a table at Aru, where open-flame cooking meets creative, contemporary plates. Its Asian fusion with a twist. Among the must try, their ARU signature 14-day dry aged duck, crisp skin with rich flavour, so tender that it melts as you bite into it. Every mouthful is unforgettable.  

He appreciates the finer things especially when it comes to his steak. Take him to the Meat and Wine Co where polished interiors meet flame-grilled perfection. The menu is built around top-tier cuts, including their signature Monte wagyu, aged in-house and cooked to order. Think juicy, marbled steaks with crisp edges and buttery centres, paired with truffle mash or thick-cut chips seasoned just so. Their wine list is just as impressive with standout Australian labels and a few international favourites he’ll want to remember.  

If dad’s idea of a perfect meal starts with oysters and ends with a perfectly cooked snapper Waterfront Brighton is his kind of place. Set just a short stroll from the beach, Waterfront Brighton brings the best from the sea to your plate. You need to try the seafood platter, or the Moreton Bay bugs with garlic butter. Seafood not your thing? Thats okay there is plenty to select from like prime cuts served straight from the wood fire chargrill.  

If dad is always seeking something unexpected, dishes guaranteed to spark conversation then Nomad is your spot. Inspired by travels through Spain, Morocco, and the Middle East, this place brings bold flavours to the table with a striking Melbourne twist. Think charred meats, bright harissa-drizzled plates, and smoky mezze served with flair. Add in a curated list of sustainable wines focusing on small growers and clever cocktails, and he’ll be swapping travel tales between mouthfuls long after dessert. 

He is all about timeless comforts. Family dinners, a comforting glass of red and warm pasta made just right, the kind Nonna would approve of. For the dads who like to keep it classic an Italian feast at Rowanos Corydon is the way to go. Think rich slow cooked ragù, silky fettuccine, pillowy gnocchi and crusty bread to mop up every last drop. Add a glass of red or a splash of limoncello to finish it off and you have his favourite kind of night out.