The 10 Best Places to Celebrate Father’s Day in Boston

The cozy interior at Cafe du Pays. / Photo provided by Cafe du Pays

On Sunday, June 16th, some of Boston’s best restaurants will be paying homage to the (debatably) coolest guy in our lives: dad. Whether he’s a burger-and-beers type or a classy oyster connoisseur, this list has got you covered.

Cafe du Pays

If “deer” old dad is a venison fanatic, this Kendall Square spot is the place to be on Father’s Day. The French-Canadian bistro is adopting a “Beer and Deer” theme, serving an a la carte  menu alongside rare brews from Cantillon and Oxbow breweries. You’ll enjoy pasture-raised venison chops and tartare of responsibly-raised deer from New York’s Highland Farm–and in keeping with the woodsy spirit of the evening, things will be capped off with a juniper-invoking dessert.

233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave, Cambridge, 617-314-7297, cafedupays.com. 

The iconic burger at Craigie on Main. / Photo provided by Craigie on Main

Craigie on Main

The Cambridge landmark is treating dads (and for that matter, you) to something extra-special this Father’s Day: a guaranteed opportunity to scarf the iconic Craigie burger, usually capped at only 18 patties per night. A bottomless bevy of burgers will fly out of the kitchen all day long on Father’s Day, so head to the restaurant’s bar to snag one. You and dad can also grab the chicken-for-two and pig’s-head-for-two at half-price. Wash it all down with a line up of select Vermont beers that will be available for one night only.

853 Main St, Cambridge, 617-497-5511, craigieonmain.com.

Dorchester Brewing Company

Behold, an excellent opportunity to break your dad out of his lawnmower-beer and Taco Bell habit. With 20 tap lines, this Dorchester brewery and taproom offers enough craft beers for dad to find something he loves more than a Rolling Rock. And there will be eats, too: The Mr. Tamole food truck will be on-site, serving an assortment of tamales paired with its signature mole sauce, corn on the cob, and esquites. Yes, dad, there’s more to Mexican fast-food than Crunchwrap Supremes.

1250 Massachusetts Ave., Dorchester, 617-514-0900, dorchesterbrewing.com.

Kane’s Donuts

Dads plus donuts plus whiskey: Now that is a winning combination. Kane’s Donuts has teamed up with Boston Harbor Distillery to dream up a donut glazed with a combo of Boston Harbor Distillery’s New England Rye, local honey, and butter. Make sure to show up bright and early, as all Kane’s locations will have only a limited amount of these treats available to purchase.

90 Oliver St., Boston, 857-317-2654, additional locations, kanesdonuts.com. 

Oysters from Island Creek. / Photo provided by Island Creek Oyster Bar

Island Creek Oyster Bar

Dads love winning stuff. (Especially when it’s a Major Award!) Here’s a chance to share brunch at one of Boston’s top seafood restaurants, while putting pop in the running to win 100 free oysters from the leading shellfish purveyor. Island Creek will hold an oyster raffle for all dads who come to dine this Father’s Day, so keep your fingers crossed while you gorge on buffalo wings, shrimp tacos, and classic brunch fare: say, bennies, blueberry pancakes, and corned beef.

500 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-532-5300, islandcreekoysterbar.com. 

Liberty Hotel Boston

If you’ve got an out-of-town dad looking for a place to stay, suggest you feast al fresco at this luxury Boston hotel near the banks of the Charles. At Sunday’s Father’s Day BBQ party (3-8 p.m.) at the Liberty, $65 (tickets here) gets you unlimited food, a Mitcher’s Bourbon cocktail, and a “special treat” for dad. (That certainly sounds intriguing.) Grub will come courtesy of chef Daniel Kenney, who will cook up succulent BBQ ribs and brisket, venison chili, and jerk chicken. As if you needed more decadence, there’ll also be a raw bar. Slurp away.

215 Charles St., Boston, 617-224-4000, libertyhotel.com.

Eggs and prosciutto from SRV. / Photo provided by SRV

SRV

While this acclaimed Venetian-inspired restaurant in the South End (one of our top 50 restaurants in Boston) doesn’t traditionally serve brunch, they’re making an exception for dads. Chefs Michael Lombardi and Kevin O’Donnell will imbue their Father’s Day service with an Italian flair, serving pillowy-soft scrambled eggs with fatty, melty prosciutto from coveted Casella’s Salumi in Hurleyville, New York.

569 Columbus Ave., Boston, 617-536-9500 srvboston.com

Sriracha-miso deviled eggs from State Street Provisions. / Photo provided by State Street Provisions

State Street Provisions

Sriracha-miso deviled eggs, a sausage hoagie, a beef slider, potato salad, and beer–all for $17? The harbor-side tavern is offering a Father’s Day deal not even the stingiest dad could resist. (Sorry, we’re still bitter about those sub-minimum-wage allowance days.) Chef Tom Borgia cooks this “Backyard Barbecue” menu each Father’s Day, so dads can pig out on their favorite grilled grub without slaving over the coals themselves. The best part? It’s all paired with a ‘Gansett tallboy.

255 State St, Boston 617-863-8363, statestreetprovisions.com.

The Big Sticky Bun from Talulla. / Photo provided by Talulla

Talulla

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to check out one of our favorite new restaurants–well, Sunday is the date to do it. The intimate Cambridge restaurant helmed by husband-wife duo Connor Dennehy and Danielle Ayer will serve an a la carte brunch full of hearty specials. Expect a “Big Sticky Bun” adorned with pecans and caramel, steak and eggs smothered in béarnaise sauce, and a full Irish breakfast, complete with black and white puddings, baked beans, and grilled tomatoes. Talulla is named for the couple’s young daughter, so don’t forget to wish the proud papa and chef a happy Father’s Day, too.   

377 Walden St, Cambridge, 617-714–5584, talullacambridge.com.

Turtle Swamp Brewing

Back when you and the old man were playing hoops in the driveway, you probably weren’t allowed to drink. Ah, how times change! Here’s a chance to throw back some beers and get a workout with dad. (While fending off dad-bod yourself.) Head to Turtle Swamp Brewing Company to compete in the second annual Hold My Beer Mile. A $20 entry ticket includes a beer and lunch on the house, and the lucky winners of the men’s and women’s heats will each receive $100 ($101 if you beat the defending champion’s time). The second and third place winners will be sent home with crowlers filled with Turtle Swamp suds. Make sure to arrive by 11 a.m. to ensure a spot at the starting line.

3377 Washington St., Boston, 617-522-0038, turtleswampbrewing.com.