Banish boring presents this Father’s Day! Book a fab Melbourne restaurant

For the dad who loves a steak…

For a man who loves his steak, no place tops the Railway. For over 40 years, this bustling dining room in Port Melbourne has dished up some of the juiciest, most flavoursome cuts to be found in the state.

The cosy interior whispers class and the wine list is on point, but here it’s really all about the meat. Choose your preferred piece from the display fridge and watch your talented chef cook it to perfection in the open kitchen.

Alongside premium steaks, get creative with your order and take your pick from the seafood, charcuterie and classic sides on the menu. The truffled shoestring fries with black garlic aioli should be in your order.

But get in quick to make your booking – this is one of Melbourne’s most popular steakhouses for a reason.

Dish Cult’s top pick: “The vintage” MBS2+ 350gm scotch fillet steak ($62)

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For the dad who appreciates the finer things in life…

Serving up traditional Cantonese cuisine since 1975, Flower Drum is a Melbourne institution with serious fine dining pedigree.

If your dad’s never been, this Father’s Day is the perfect excuse to splash out on a visit. The elegant restaurant is replete with rich ruby-red carpets, white tablecloths, moody furnishings and impeccably dressed wait staff intent on providing nothing less than gold-class treatment.

But it’s the food here that everybody talks about. At Flower Drum, food is an art created only with the best seasonal ingredients available and skilful Asian cooking techniques.

From the much-lauded Peking duck or roast suckling pig to the selection of delicate dumplings, soups and appetisers, the Flower Drum experience will change the way you think about Chinese food for life.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Chef’s five-course signature banquet with matched wines ($235pp)

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For the hip dad (or one that thinks he is!)…

How many dads can say they spent Father’s Day chowing down on one of the best northside burgers five storeys up inside an old train carriage?

If you take him to Easey’s, your dad can. For something a little different, this American-style diner in the heart of Collingwood is a fast food experience like no other. The menu designer James Hurlston spent years travelling the globe with one mission and one mission alone: find the best burger.

The result, you can taste at Easey’s. Beyond cheeseburgers, treat yourself and your dad to fried chicken sandwiches, loaded hot dogs, creamy milkshakes and all your favourite comfort food sides. (Note: the Cheezel-dusted mac n’ cheese here is so tasty it’s from another planet.)

A solid selection of Melbourne craft beers seals the deal, and there’s ice-cold jugs of cocktails on hand for the extra thirsty.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Oklahoma fried onion double cheeseburger ($16)

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For the veggo dad…

If your dad prefers pumpkin and mushrooms to bangers and mash, then book a table at Riso Diner.

A meatless offering from ex-Vue de Monde chef Paolo Arlotta, Riso features a daily-changing Italian-inspired menu that spans classy takes on risotto, pasta, greens, desserts and whatever else springs into Paolo’s imagination. The man’s worked across the globe in some of the finest Michelin-starred kitchens, so you know the meal’s going to be magic.

With a focus on sustainability and fresh local produce, your veggo dad will appreciate the attention to detail and delicate balance of plant-based flavours. A 40-strong list of minimal intervention wines offers ample scope for accompaniment.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Chef’s menu ($75pp)

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For the dad who loves a nice wine…

Yet another project from the mastermind of celebrated Melbourne chef Andrew McConnell, Marion is a relaxed neighbourhood bar designed to tickle the taste buds of serious food and wine lovers alike.

The comprehensive wine list will cater to just about any preference (dads included), and the staff are happy to give a spiel about each drop. The atmosphere is Fitzroy cool meets elevated European wine bar – picture white brick walls, pitch black leather and tasteful wood accents. It’s just the right amount of fancy without being full-on.

But it’s not just about the vino and vibes. Marion’s seasonal menu holds a bright candle to the rest of the experience. Meat-centric dishes like the roast half chicken with baby leek and tarragon or grilled pork chop will satisfy carnivorous appetites, while seafood aficionados are free to gorge on mussels, anchovies, oysters and flathead to their hearts’ delight.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Mussels, fried bread, ‘nduja, aioli ($22)

For the sporty dad…

An upmarket version of your dad’s fave Chinese takeaway, the footy on a giant flat screen and a frosty pint of beer… what more could he want?

But you’d be mistaken for thinking this is just your average sports pub. In 2020, the iconic Albert Park Hotel transformed from a burger-and-chips style establishment into an opulent modern Chinese eatery: enter the new ‘Happy Valley’ menu.

Indulge in courses of steamed dim sum, dumplings, san choy bow, salt and pepper calamari and classic dishes like honey pepper beef and kung pao chicken. Big, bold flavours are complemented well by a daring selection of wines and cocktails.

With glamorous leather booths and moody lighting, it’s occasion-worthy without losing the classic pub appeal – and ticks all the boxes for a sports lover dad this year.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Half roast duck with sour plum sauce ($44)

For the audiophile dad…

Check out this wine and listening bar off the beaten track in Brunswick. It’s a unique space your dad will drool over if he loves natural-style wines and audio.

The bar’s sophisticated bespoke sound system and acoustic room treatment was inspired by similar sound-considered spaces around the trendiest pockets of Tokyo and London.

According to Waxflower’s website, “each speaker has 15” bass drivers, a 10” midrange, a 1” compression driver loaded into a custom-built bronze constant directivity waveguide.” If that’s gibberish to you but plain English to your dad, then he’s going to love everything about Waxflower.

Head chef Damon McIvor isn’t afraid to flirt with flavours from across the globe, from Peruvian ceviche to kangaroo tartare, in an exciting menu that shifts with his mood and the seasons.

Rather surprisingly for such a cool space, the vibe is far from pretentious. Instead you can expect a cosy and social bar-side ambiance, a live DJ spinning upbeat grooves and an unspoken tolerance of 70’s shirts. The in-house vinyl collection spans all genres but pays tribute to a lot of disco, funk and soul: the ultimate dad trifecta.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Whatever’s on the menu that day! (It changes).