Where To Take Dad This Father’s Day

What dad doesn’t love a cheeky barbie? Hand over the tongs and let the professionals take the lead; you won’t regret it. Smokin Cole is a purveyor of fine American BBQ, good vibes and cold brews. For a laid-back food-centric Father’s Day, this is the spot for you. 

Create your own platter board of BBQ delicacies including the likes of meat candy (pork jowl with pickled kamo kamo), Memphis dry rub pork ribs, beef short rib, buffalo wings and brisket. Pair your meat lover’s feast with a cold crafty, the Deep Creek ‘Aloha’ Sour is a beauty. 

One of Auckland’s most iconic eateries is Tony’s Steakhouse; standing proud for over 58 years, the veteran restaurant continues to steal the hearts of locals and tourists alike. Specialising in beautifully aged prime cuts of beef, seafood delicacies and Tony’s signature dishes. 

Tony’s Steakhouse is a dab hand at cooking up a succulent and flavoursome steak; everything is aged a minimum of 28 days. Put a smile on your old man’s face with the pacific steak; the tender eye fillet is stuffed with crab meat, topped with grilled shrimp and finished with a beautiful béarnaise sauce.

If dear old dad is a no-fuss kinda fella, then Wynyard Pavilion is your best bet. Simple, laid-back and killer kai; what more could you want? Perched on the waterfront, Wynyard Pavilion serves up stellar views of the harbour, beers galore, and seafood so fresh you can smell the ocean. 

Grab an array of dishes and dine tapa-style with the whole family; start with a dozen classic market oysters, lemon and Szechuan pepper squid and fried fish tacos. If dad prefers a liquid lunch, the tap selection should be a hit with the likes of Little Creatures Pale Ale, Panhead APA, Guinness and Emerson’s Super Quench.

Beer and pizza, but make it fancy, Elmo’s is an elegant yet laid-back spot, perfect for low-key occasions like Father’s Day and late-night tipples. The authentic Italian pizza bar creates sumptuous cuisine using seasonal ingredients from local suppliers. You cannot go wrong with the handcrafted wood-fired pizza and fresh, traditional pasta. 

Get your hands on a slice of heaven with the be my brisket pizza. Other mouth-watering flavours include the truffle shuffle, Hawaii, Mediterranean heart and Tikka chance on me. The latter pairs tomato with mozzarella, wood-fired chicken tikka, charred onion and micro watercress. The finishing touches include a side of Shardas ‘Raita’ cucumber and coriander dipping sauce.

Waiheke has the power to take any event to the next level, make Father’s Day unforgettable by visiting Casita Miro. The tapa-centric venue overlooks an incredible view of the sprawling vineyards and sparkling water. Spend the day overindulging in wines from Miro Vineyard; the famous Madame Rouge is a must-try. 

Dine al la carte with delectable sharing plates like the goat’s cheese croqueta, pan-seared prawns and handmade bread with creamy hummus. For those with an insatiable appetite, we recommend the beautifully slow-cooked Leeland’s lamb shoulder with persevered lemon, babaganoush, harissa and salted pistachios.

Gather the whole family and escape to the beautiful coastal town of Leigh; sun, sand, sea and Sawmill. Visit Leigh Sawmill this Father’s Day and enjoy the lively ambience, ever-evolving beer selection, live music and gourmet cuisine. The traditional recipes and modern twists make for tasty and homely cuisine. 

Dig into a big plate of sticky tempura eggplant, caprese salad, or smoked salmon. The latter pairs smoked salmon dip with creamy whipped avocado, tomato salsa and ciabatta croutes. The rotating beer taps are a focal point for all visitors; sample the likes of sours, hazy IPAs, APAs, dry lagers, pilsners and XPAs. 

Lucky 8 is a bold and exciting take on social dining; the quirky décor and loft-like interior make for a culture-packed experience. The Asian-inspired tapa dishes are sensational, and there is something to keep every member of the family happy. Order a selection of dishes for the table like the sweet and sour egg tofu, golden-crusted shrimp, beef dumplings and slow-cooked black pepper beef cheek. 

While Lucky 8’s food is delicious, it is the cocktails that keep us coming back for more. Wangs Tea is perfect, pairing vodka, gin, tequila, rum, lychee liqueur and lychee tea. Other beautiful ingredients found in the cocktail list are Viet coffee, Yuzu Sake, pineapple soju, Japanese apple liqueur and more!

Soak up the sunshine this Father’s Day on the prime waterfront location of Akarana Eatery; this is a great spot to bring the whole family too. Look out over the stunning Waitemata Harbour as you dine upon a selection of fresh, seasonal dishes. 

It would be a crime to visit Akarana Eatery without sampling the seafood, and our go-to is the spiced crispy red snapper wings alongside a dozen tempura oysters. Share a platter with your loved ones; the M-class platter showcases Akarana’s seafood superiority! Nibble on a variety of salt and pepper squid, fish wings, hummus, spring rolls, fish bites, fries, and so much more.