Where to dine on Father's Day in Melbourne 2015

Father's Day is just around the corner and with it comes the inevitable obligation to take your favourite old man out to feast. Embrace the opportunity to splurge on a meal – you're celebrating your dad after all. Here are our top 10 picks for dining out on Father's Day.

Low 'n' slow BBQ at Red Hill Brewery

Why barbecue at home when you can pay someone else to get their hands smoky this Father's Day? Drive along the Mornington Peninsula to Red Hill Brewery for a slow-cooked barbecue, American-style. Choose from pulled pork and beef brisket or smoked stuffed capsicums with garlic herbed potato salad.

88 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South, (03) 5989 2959, redhillbrewery.com.au

Luxury luncheon at Matteo's

If you're looking to earn brownie points, bring dad to lunch at one of Melbourne's best fine dining restaurants. Plush purple chairs, glittering chandeliers and gilt mirrors are the makeup of this dining institution. And since nothing says 'I love you' more than food, try Matteo's three-course Father's Day menu ($95) with options such as prawn ravioli, Kurobuta pork belly and white miso baked black cod.

533 Brunswick Street, North Fitzroy, (03) 9481 1177, matteos.com.au

Get fancy with Italian cuisine at the Royal Saxon

Richmond's Royal Saxon is hosting a two-course Father's Day lunch ($40) with your choice of entree and main. Dishes include pan-roasted scallops with sweet corn, coriander, toasted almonds and chilli, and risotto with white onion, rosemary, crisp shallots and truffle dressing. In the spirit of Father's Day, the hotel will shout your dad a beer.

545 Church Street, Richmond, (03) 9429 5277, royalsaxon.com

Splurge on slow-roasted lamb shoulder at Saint Urban

One of Richmond's newer kids on the block, Saint Urban is hosting a lunch hero-ing the humble lamb. Appropriately dubbed "Lamb with the Fam", Saint Urban's feast includes a selection of entrees and a whole roasted lamb shoulder for your table. The casually rustic wine bar is a great pick for a relaxed family lunch date.

213 Swan Street, Richmond, (03) 8456 0933, sainturban.com.au

Learn to share at Mister Bianco's Sicilian-style lunch

Sharing is the theme of the day at Kew local favourite Mister Bianco. Serving a selection of large plates including signature messinese meatballs, barbecue duck breast and stuzzichini, this is promised to be a festive food-filled affair. Desserts aren't forgotten, with sweets including Sicilian doughnuts, homemade gelato and salted caramel popcorn ($85 per person, $35 for kids under 12).

285 High Street, Kew, (03) 9853 6929, misterbianco.com.au

Lack of cash won't be a problem at Estelle Bistro's budget lunch

For $50 per person, treat dad to a three-course roast lunch with a complimentary beer or glass of red. Vegetarians are catered for too, with Estelle Bistro's a la carte menu available all day. The sleek, leather-lined restaurant has the fine dining spoils without the fine dining price tag.

243 High Street, Northcote, (03) 9489 4609, estellebistro.com

A feel-good dinner at Feast of Merit

Not-for-profit restaurant Feast of Merit's tailored Father's Day menu includes an open steak sandwich, shakshuka, and olive oil poached white fish, so you can dine with a happy stomach and an even happier heart.

117 Swan Street, Richmond, (03) 9428 8480, feastofmerit.com

High tea at Zimt Patisserie

Proving that dads can have their share of bite-sized macarons and scones, Zimt Patisserie is hosting a Father's Day high tea ($50). Choose between two set menus which include a variety of bagels, biscuits, pastries, scones and macarons. Dads will be given a gingerbread moustache to take home.

171 Union Road, Surrey Hills, (03) 9890 2382, zimt.com.au

Beef and beer at The General Assembly

Steak and a frothie – surely one of Dad's favourite Sunday night dinners. The General Assembly is offering a beef and beer special ($50) this Father's Day. Choose your boutique beef to be cooked in the "Josper" (a cross between an oven and grill).

20 South Wharf, Melbourne, (03) 9682 6007, thegeneralassembly.com.au

Cider-making class

Head up to the hills for a Father's Day cider-making class, covering apple varieties, and tips on how to scat and press cider. The class includes tastings and a light lunch, but if you're feeling peckish on the way home, stop by ​Shannon Bennett's Piggery Cafe.

89 Olinda-Monbulk Road, Olinda, (03) 5984 7900, diggers.com.au