The 10 best bars and restaurants in Sydney to take dad for Father’s Day
We'v curated the best establishments in the city for a dad of every palette
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DADS COME IN ALL TASTE STRIPES. Does he love a good, classic steak? A bit more worldly with a taste for Japanese highballs? Wants to visit a distillery minus the field trip? Or does he just want a trip to the local pub? Wining and dining dad this Father’s Day is the perfect way to show that you know what he likes. So, we’ve curated a list of Sydney’s top establishments – and bookable venues – for a dad of every stripe.
From a classic pub feed to a limited-time Japanese bar, scroll on for where you should take dad out this Father’s Day.
Where to eat and drink on Father’s Day 2025
Suntory Bar x Prefecture 48
From now until November 8, Suntory Bar will hold a residency at the Japanese cuisine multi-complex Prefecture 48. Here, the Japanese spirits brand mixes up some inventive cocktails with their range and debuts the exclusive Hakushu Highball. Legendary Japanese chef Tetsuya Wakuda presides over the snack menu for the ultimate pairings. The potato croquettes with white anchovy and the pork katsu sando are our recommendations.
Come for: inventive cocktails with Suntory whiskies and spirits; exclusive Hakushu Highball; exclusive snack creations by chef Tetsuya Wakuda
Where: Prefecture 48, 230 Sussex St, Sydney
Book at p48.com.au.
Archie Rose Bar
If dad enjoys the novelty of an urban distillery, bring him to the best one doing it in town. Situated next to their original Rosebery distillery, you get the full experience of having shelves of ageing casks around you as you sip on Archie Rose whiskies and spirits.
Come for: urban distillery atmosphere; taste the full Archie Rose spirits range of whiskies and spirits; selection of local craft beers
Where: 61 Mentmore Ave, Rosebery
Book at archierose.com.au.
Bar Conte
Home to an extensive collection of unique Italian Vermouths, Bitters, rare Amari and premium spirits, Bar Conte is the world’s first dedicated Negroni bar, led by Raffaele Lombardi. Pair your drinks with classic Italian dishes designed for sharing between yourself and dad or with a bigger group.
Come for: the best negronis in Sydney by an expert; classic Italian menu designed for sharing; handmade pasta
Where: 340 Riley St, Surry Hills
Book at contesydney.com.au.
Poetica
Can’t go wrong with a steak on Father’s Day. Poetica in North Sydney makes for a casual lunchtime option to have your charcoal-cooked premium cut in its airy and light-filled interior. As it’s also the start of spring, there’s a terrace section, too.
Come for: wood-fire steakhouse with premium cuts; 700 wines from Australia, Italy and South America; terrace dining
Where: Mezzanine Level/1 Denison St, North Sydney
Book at poetica.sydney.
Bella Brutta
Known for their wood-fired pizzas with a thin base and puffy and blistered crust, Bella Brutta in Newtown refuses classification into either a New York or Neapolitan style. It works all on its own. If you want some direction, the clam pizza is our favourite.
Come for: wood-fired pizza, non-alcoholic drink options, antipasti nibbles
Where: 135 King St, Newtown
Book at bellabrutta.com.au.
Harbord Hotel
A community gem up in Freshwater, the Harbord Hotel is our classic pub shout. Housed in a heritage building, have one of the best schnitties in town with ice-cold local beers.
Come for: old-school beach-side atmosphere, ice-cold local beers, the schnitty
Where: 29 Moore Rd, Freshwater
Book at harbordhotel.com.au.
Baba’s Place
Set in a Marrickville warehouse, you’d think you weren’t headed for one of the most exciting restaurants in Sydney. Its interior is set up with the tables and homewares of an Inner West suburban immigrant home: lace table setting, mismatched furniture, and tchotchkes. And the set menu reflects this too, with its mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, or what you would find at Baba’s house.
Come for: cosy home-like (literally) atmosphere, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, eclectic cocktails made by DNA Distillery
Where: 20 Sloane St, Marrickville
Book at babasplace.com.au.
Bennelong
Bennelong in the Sydney Opera House remains one of the city’s bucket list experiences – so splurge for dad on this one. Capturing the culinary attitude of the city, the food and drinks menu puts local produce centre stage with a focus on provenance. And if he’s a fan of architecture, you can’t beat eating inside one of the Opera House sails with the skyline as your view.
Come for: iconic Sydney Opera House architecture; local Australian produce and drinks
Where: Sydney Opera House
Book at bennelong.com.au.
OTTO Ristorante
Led by chef Richard Ptacnik for 20 years, he’s made one of Sydney’s strongest Italian institutions. Serving up classic Italian fare with Australian produce, enjoy the water and skyline views right on a Woolloomooloo pier.
Come for: classic Italian menu made with Australian produce; water and city skyline views
Where: Area 8, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo
Book at ottoristorante.com.au.
The Charles
A tour of Sydney’s top establishment isn’t complete without a French brasserie, and The Charles on King St in the city is our pick. With its Art-Deco interiors and smoky mirrors, it beats the day-long flight to Paris. Known for their specialty whole dry-aged roasted and pressed duck, finish that off with something from their dessert trolley.
Come for: Art-Deco interiors; classic brasserie; specialty whole dry-aged roasted and pressed duck
Where: 66 King St, Sydney
Book at thecharles.sydney.
Related:
The best Father’s Day gift ideas to give dad a style makeover
