The way to Dad’s heart is often through his stomach, and this Father’s Day, a meal shared might be the finest gift of all. Far more memorable than another pair of socks, it’s an opportunity to gather the family, raise a glass and spend some quality time with the father figure in your life.
Taking place on Sunday the 6th of September, this year’s celebrations span endless Wagyu lunches, lavish feasts, waterfront dining and seriously indulgent Sunday roasts. Here, we round up the best places to spoil Dad this Father’s Day.
Jervois Steak House
Jervois Steak House is bringing back one of its most indulgent lunches for Father’s Day: Endless Wagyu. Across a 1.5-hour sitting, premium Southern Stations Wagyu will be carved and served continuously, accompanied by fries, crisp green-leaf salad and the steakhouse’s signature sauces. Priced at $100 per person, sittings are available at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm. The à la carte menu won’t be available, although additional dishes can be ordered on the day.
First Mates, Last Laugh
For a relaxed celebration beside the water, First Mates, Last Laugh is adding several suitably hearty specials to its menu. Dad can tuck into a seafood chowder pie brimming with snapper, prawns, mussels and oysters beneath golden puff pastry, or go all-in on a 500-gram bone-in T-bone with Café de Paris butter. A Biscoff cookie pie with chocolate-stout ice cream should make any argument over dessert worthwhile. Walk-ins are welcome from 11am, although bookings are limited.
Huami
Gather the family around the table at Huami, where Father’s Day calls for a generous yum cha lunch. Expect signature dim sum ranging from steamed prawn and squid-ink dumplings to Peking duck pancakes, alongside flavour-packed wok-fried dishes. Lunch runs from 11.30am until 2.30pm, while Huami’s full à la carte menu is available for dinner from 5pm until 9.30pm.
Trivet
Trivet is marking Father’s Day with a suitably generous feast, centred around a 700g grass-fed tomahawk served with roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts, red wine jus, smoked butter hollandaise and blue cheese sauce. Dad will be welcomed with a beer on arrival, while the restaurant’s whiskey trolley adds a little extra theatre to the occasion. Available for both lunch and dinner on Sunday, it’s a fitting way to make a meal of the day.
Ki Māha
For Father’s Day, Ki Māha is leaning into its coastal setting with Sea & Smoke, a generous three-course menu, priced at $95 per person, built around bold, fire-led flavours and refined local produce. Begin with braised oxtail tarte or kingfish sashimi with ponzu and finger lime, before moving to the likes of 400g BBQ lamb loin with duck-fat potatoes, dry-aged duck breast, or market fish with saffron beurre blanc. Dark chocolate ganache rounds out the occasion, making this an especially good excuse to gather the family and settle in by the sea.
Ember
This Father’s Day, Ember is picking up Dad’s tab. When dining as a table of four, with every guest ordering a main course, Dad will receive his main complimentary. The offer is limited to one free main per table and also includes two hours of complimentary parking — making a family celebration at Grand Millennium Auckland refreshingly simple.
Soul Bar & Bistro
Soul is making Father’s Day a decidedly delicious affair with a three-course menu created especially for Dad. Choose from dishes such as tuna carpaccio, salt-and-pepper squid, market fish and Hawke’s Bay lamb rump, before finishing with warm chocolate pudding or floating island. The limited Soul Signature Roast — slow-cooked sirloin with Yorkshire pudding, baby carrots and rosemary jus — can be added for a $25 supplement. Available for lunch and dinner from 11am until 10pm, the menu is $70 per person, with Soul’s full à la carte and children’s menus also available.
Masu
At Masu, Dad can enjoy a Japanese feast built around bold flavours and the heat of the robata. From pristine sashimi and Wagyu tsukune sliders to South Waikato lamb cutlets and Kagoshima Wagyu beef, the menu brings together an array of house favourites made for sharing. Open for Father’s Day dinner from 5pm until 9.30pm, it’s just the place for the dad who appreciates the finer things.
Bravo at Cracker Bay
For a relaxed Father’s Day by the water, Bravo at Cracker Bay is hard to beat. Set over Westhaven Marina, the all-day eatery pairs sweeping harbour views with fresh local seafood, crowd-pleasing classics and Ayrburn wines. Push the boat out with Bravo’s impressive Seafood Tower, or settle in for a leisurely family lunch while younger diners make use of the dedicated children’s zone.
Gilt
No set menus, no compromises — Gilt is opening especially for Father’s Day lunch, serving its full all-day menu alongside a trio of occasion-worthy specials. Treat Dad to peppered steak or a nostalgic prawn and crayfish cocktail, before finishing with a warm lemon self-saucing pudding. Bookings are available from 11.30am until 3pm, making this the perfect excuse to settle into a banquette and let a leisurely lunch unfold.
Katsura Japanese Cuisine
Katsura is serving an abundant Father’s Day buffet featuring live teppanyaki and chargrill cooking, a fresh raw bar, sushi, sashimi, hot dishes and indulgent desserts. Tickets are $99 per adult and $45 per child, with Dad also receiving a complimentary Japanese beer on arrival. Choose from two dinner sittings, at 5pm or 7pm.
The Grill
The Grill’s signature Beef Wellington returns for a Father’s Day dinner worthy of the occasion. Designed to share, the perfectly crafted Wellington is served with two sides and finished with a rich red-wine jus. Pre-book before the 31st of August to secure the special price of $175, then settle in for a seriously satisfying celebration of Dad.
Azabu
Both Azabu Ponsonby and Azabu Mission Bay are serving lunch and dinner this Father’s Day, with the option to make the occasion even more indulgent. Upgrade your booking with the exclusive $150 Father’s Day Platter — a generous selection of premium dishes designed for sharing. Whether you opt for Ponsonby’s lively dining room or Mission Bay’s beautiful beachfront setting, it promises to be a memorable way to celebrate Dad.
Ebisu
Ebisu’s elevated Oki No Buffet returns for one day only this Father’s Day. For $85 per person, with children dining for half price, guests can enjoy unlimited market-fresh sushi and sashimi, Japanese-inspired salads, soba noodles and poached prawn cocktail. A rotating selection of hot dishes includes Big Glory Bay salmon, market fish with yuzu miso and teriyaki-roasted beef, followed by honey-coconut custard, chocolate brownie and more. Available from 11am until 4pm, with the final seating at 2pm.
Flush Golf
For the dad who’d rather swing a club than settle in for a long lunch, Flush Golf is the answer. Book one of its five state-of-the-art Trackman simulator bays and tackle the world’s most iconic courses without leaving Britomart. Keep energy levels high with pizzas, sliders, fried chicken and cold beers delivered bay-side, plus all-day Sunday happy-hour specials.
The Lodge Bar & Dining
This Father’s Day, make it a celebration to remember at The Lodge Bar. Enjoy a leisurely lunch with wine or a relaxed dinner with a view, all from the delcious à la carte menu. Savour each dish, soak up the surroundings, and spend the day in good company — exactly what Dad deserves.
Bivacco
Bivacco’s Raw & Roast with Cloudy Bay is a waterfront feast spanning fresh seafood, antipasti, pizza, pasta, vibrant salads, premium roast meats and a decadent dessert selection. Priced at $85 per person, with children aged 12 and under dining for half price, it’s a suitably generous way to celebrate Dad. Go all out by adding the spectacular $150 Seafood Tower. Bookings run from 11am, with the final sitting at 2.30pm.
Non Solo Pizza
Non Solo Pizza’s Nonna’s Sunday Table brings a traditional Italian family feast to Father’s Day. For $65 per person, groups of four or more begin with an antipasto tower before choosing rigatoni alla vodka or pizza, followed by lamb shoulder or porchetta with sides. Available for lunch and dinner, it’s a convivial celebration designed for sharing.
Andiamo
For a relaxed neighbourhood celebration, Andiamo is always a good idea. The Herne Bay favourite’s Italian-inspired menu offers plenty for Dad, from grass-fed beef meatballs and Lasagna Della Nonna to slow-roasted porchetta, pizza and indulgent truffle macaroni. Open for lunch and dinner, it’s the perfect laid-back local where the whole family can settle in and linger.
