Father’s Day is Sunday, June 15—and local restaurants are pulling out all the stops so Dad (or any father figure) will be more than satisfied.
—On Sunday, June 15, 5-8 p.m., at the Near North spot Dearly Beloved, dads can enjoy two Angel’s Envy whiskey cocktails and one complimentary cigar courtesy of the store The Clayton.

Additional cocktails and cigars will be available for purchase, along with the full menu of items including the Beloved Burger and truffle honey fried chicken. The special is $40/person and everyone must be 21 or older.
—This Father’s Day, Chicagoans can treat Dad to something truly special at The Grillroom Chophouse & Wine Bar, in the Loop, with an exclusive “Prime Time with Dad” dinner experience. The prix fixe menu features a 16-ounce prime rib, prepared by Executive Chef Austin Stull, along with a choice of two select sides and a dessert for $75 per person. To top off the evening, guests can raise a glass with a Dad’s Old Fashioned—a signature smoked drink—for $12 each.
—On June 13-15, make plans to spend Father’s Day on the patio at Aba sharing the grilled Slagel Family Farms tri-tip with ras el hanout, baby carrot, smoked marcona almond and red wine jus in addition to Mediterranean favorites such as grilled chicken kebab, muhammara, classic hummus and more.Toast to Dad with a Drop Dad Gorgeous cocktail, made with Uncle Nearest whiskey, bourbon barrel-smoked demerara and beef chip; or signature sips such as the Aloe? It’s Me, Mediterranean Mule or Mango G&T.
—Celebrate Father’s Day with breakfast, brunch or dinner at Miru. Treat Dad to signature dishes such as the crispy whole snapper boneless with herb salad, ginger miso; or the prime New York Strip with shishito peppers and Miru steak sauce—all while overlooking the Chicago River and Navy Pier.
—Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab will be open on Father’s Day at 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Treat Dad to Joe’s Seafood’s world-famous stone crab claws, signature bone-in steaks and, of course, pie. Dads will also go home with a tin of Joe’s signature Steak Spice.
—Carnivale, the pan-Latin hotspot in Fulton Market, is raising a glass to dads this Father’s Day with an exclusive tasting experience in the colorful Rumba Lounge. At 1-5 p.m., guests who are 21+ can enjoy complimentary sips of Bulleit Bourbon, Union Mezcal and Don Julio Tequila, along with giveaways throughout the afternoon. The restaurant will also be open for reservations at 1-8:30 p.m. Reservations are available via Tock.
—The West Loop restaurant Kaiser Tiger is offering a $30 All You Can Eat Summer Smokeout in its 250-seat beer garden. The buffet includes bone-in smoked chicken with whiskey BBQ glaze; pulled pork with Carolina-style mop sauce; grilled brats marinated in Kaiser Lager; grilled boneless pork chops with apple cider brine; and baked beans with brown sugar and bacon, summer succotash, German potato salad, Italian pasta salad and desserts. There will also be $5 house beers. Bonus: The patio also features loads of games (for adults and kids alike), including life-size Jenga, bocce ball, bags/cornhole and more.
—At Osteria Via Stato, 5-9 p.m., there will be an a la carte menu featuring Italian specialties such as Slagel Farm meatballs “polpettini,” chicken Mario and dry-aged beef tenderloin. The fulla la carte menu will be available for dine-in, carryout and delivery.
—Olio e Più aims to bring Italian tradition and true sense of Mediterranean liveliness to River North, and it’ll be open for brunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Father’s Day. First, there will be unlimited Italian mimosas ($25) with juice choices of orange, cranberry, grapefruit and pineapple. Culinary highlights include poached eggs with roasted potatoes, prosciutto and garlic/paprika mayo; and pancakes with cherry Amarena chantilly, cherries and maple syrup.
—This Father’s Day, every dad who dines in at an RPM Restaurants location—RPM Steak, RPM Seafood, and RPM Italian—is going home with the perfect grilling companion: A complimentary bottle of house-made RPM Steak Salt. Make Father’s Day special with a meal at RPM Italian, featuring chef’s specials and signature dishes like Mama DePandi’s bucatini, chicken parmesan, and the classic spaghetti and meatball. And at RPM Steak, there will be signature dry-aged steaks, exclusive chef specials and desserts like the 14K chocolate cake.
—The Oakville Grill & Cellar, 163 N. Green St., is offering seasonal specials all Father’s Day weekend long. Treat dad to the Niman Ranch NY steak and eggs during brunch, or the Niman Ranch NY strip served with a twice-baked potato for dinner. And if that’s not enough, all dads/father figures dining at The Oakville on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15, will receive a complimentary bourbon double chocolate-chip cookie. Maybe I can pose as a dad?
—If Dad likes beer (and most do), Goddess and Grocer is offering baskets of goodies that father figures can appreciate. For example, “Cheers to Beers” ($80) has a four-pack of local holiday craft beers, Goddess Beer Mix, Pop Daddy Pretzels, Salt + Twine Charcuterie, Sugarfina Bourbon Bears, Nat‘s Roasted Nuts and a Up & Up Chocolate Bar. The “Mini Bar” (also $80) features two Straightaway Cocktails, two Thomas Ashmore Cocktails, Nat’s Spiced Nuts, Mayana Chocolate, Torres Truffle Potato Chips from Spain, Goddess Holiday Gummies, Stellar Pretzels and The Popcorn Shop Caramel Corn. (Note: Goddess gifts require a minimum 48-hour fulfillment time, plus shipping or delivery. Contact: gifts@goddessandgrocer.com.)
—This Father’s Day, guests can treat Dad to a night of laughs and drinks at aliveOne in Lincoln Park. On Sunday, June 15, aliveOne will host a FREE comedy night complete with stand-up, open mic fun, drink deals and games. The evening lineup will start from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., with Living Room Sessions, a comedy open mic that invites amateur comedians—or maybe even Dad—to take a shot at the stage. Specials for the evening will include half-price happy hour at 5-7 p.m. plus $4 bartender’s choice drinks and free pool all night long.
—Ramsay’s Kitchen Naperville is offering brunch and dinner highlights for Father’s Day. In the morning or early afternoon, guests can savor dishes like crab cake Benedict, or enjoy something sweet like warm cast-iron cinnamon rolls. For an elevated evening out, dinner at Ramsay’s Kitchen has heritage beets with citrus ginger dressing, whipped ricotta and pistachio crumble; beef Wellington served with potato purée, glazed root vegetables and a red wine demiglace; a tomato saffron risotto with roasted tomatoes, sofrito and chives; and a finale of sticky toffee pudding.
—If Dad loves BBQ, then Soul & Smoke (with locations in Avondale, West Loop and Evanston) just might be the place to hit on Father’s Day. Just a couple highlights include the Northshore Special (smoked prime brisket, smoked pulled pork, apple slaw, bread & butter pickles, mac & cheese, slider buns and original BBQ sauce); and the Meat Sampler (a sampler of all Soul & Smoke’s smoked meats, including prime brisket, pulled pork, Duroc rib tips and jalapeno cheddar sausage, along with pickles and a choice of sauce).
—The suburban spot Antico Posto is actually offering specials on June 12-18. Spend time on the terrace with specials including chicken marsala risotto with creamy arborio rice, roasted shitake and cremini mushrooms; strawberry and arugula salad with ricotta salata, honey-roasted pistachios and white balsamic vinaigrette; and banana split gelato. The specials will be available for dine-in, carryout and delivery.
—The Highland spot Deere Park is offering elevated Father’s Day dining in the North Shore. Highlights include filet with porcini rub, whipped potatoes and au poivre sauce; halibut with fava beans, English peas, green olives and citrus butter sauce; and crispy artichoke hearts with parmesan, lemon and Béarnaise sauce. In addition, Deere Park features two bars, year-round patios and a curated wine list courtesy of Josh Kaplan.

—This Father’s Day, treat Dad to brunch at Sunda New Asian, the River North restaurant known for its inventive takes on Southeast Asian cuisine. In response to popular demand, Sunda is expanding its brunch offerings—now available every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.—with a refreshed lineup that brings some of its most iconic dinner dishes to the daytime table. There are now items such as Crunchy Surf & Turf (creamy lobster bacon, avocado, jalapeño, sweet chili sauce, tempura crisp and soy paper); use waffles; Japanese fried chicken; tuna truffle pizza (with roti prata black truffle, foie gras aioli, red onion and truffle vinaigrette); and the Sumo Mary ($45)—a 32-ounce jar of Sunda Bloody Mary mix topped with tocino grilled cheese, longanisa, pork belly bao bun, baked snow crab hand roll, karaage fried chicken, lumpia egg rolls, sunda potatoes and cucumber. That last item is definitely a meal in itself.
—Celebrate Father’s Day at The Dearborn on Sunday, June 15, with a special smokehouse-inspired menu. Guests can enjoy an entrée selection ($30) featuring a choice between hickory smoked beef brisket, chile smoked chicken or baby back ribs, each served with collard greens, jalapeño cornbread and bourbon baked beans. For those looking to sample it all, the smoked BBQ platter ($55) includes all three meats alongside the full spread of sides. A featured whiskey cocktail will also be available, perfectly complementing the bold, barbecue flavors and making for a memorable celebration. Reservations can be made on Tock.
—Fore! This Father’s Day, Chicagoans are invited to tee off the celebration at Cody’s Public House with a U.S. Open Watch Party perfect for golf-loving dads. Starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 15, guests can catch every swing and putt of the U.S. Open action on 16 TVs. The event will feature a Putter Ball Contest and 2 p.m. along with raffles to win a Bushmills PGA golf bag, Surfside cooler and more. A golf-themed cocktail menu will include a $7 Tito’s John Daly, an $8 Bushmills Mulligan Mule with cranberry and ginger beer, and an $8 Maestro Dobel Birdie Spritz along with $5 312 cans, $5 Goose Island pints and $30 Surfside buckets. For reservations, email events@codyschicago.com.

—City Cruises is offering Father’s Day cruises in Chicago for celebrating the dads in your life, whether you prefer a leisurely afternoon brunch or an elegant evening dinner. For example, the Father’s Day Premier Plus Dinner Cruise on the Chicago River is a two-and-a-half-hour experience with a DJ, creative drinks—and, of course, scenic views of the Chicago River. As for dinner, choices include watermelon-and-feta salad, crab-and-corn chowder and Italian sausage ravioli; Atlantic striped bass, buttermilk-brined chicken breast, lemon potato gnocchi and osso bucco; and chocolate flourless cake, Basque cheesecake, tres leches cakes, and mixed berries and pineapple.
—A special brunch will take place at etc., 404 S. Wells St., as part of Reclaim Father’s Day Weekend—a celebration of Black men, fatherhood and the legacies they’re building every day. The event will feature a recommittal ceremony focused on family, wellness and community, alongside a curated brunch menu at etc. from Chef Lamar Moore. Proceeds will support CPS Safe Passage and tickets ($65 each) are still available online (at the link).

—This Father’s Day weekend, Sweet Mandy B’s is rolling out a lineup of themed treats perfect for celebrating Dad. Available from Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15, the limited-time menu includes golf-themed and #1 Dad-themed items like cut-out cookies, a six-pack of cupcakes, cakes and more.
—Celebrate Father’s Day at Casa Chi by Chef Richard Sandoval’s Pour Decisions Boozy Tea Experience, available on Sunday, June 15, at 12-4 p.m. for $75 per person. Treat Dad to a three-course shared menu that begins with prosecco and a signature cocktail teapot for each guest, featuring infusions like the Jalisco Jasmine Margarita, Hibiscus Paloma Punch, Earl Grey Breeze and Chamomile Coconut Cooler. Apps, entrees and desserts will include items such as smoked swordfish and guacamole with chipotle aioli; the Hot Stone Casa Style with your choice of prime skirt steak, shrimp or Provoleta Cheese; and a yuzu cheesecake with almond crumble.
—Ambar is raising a special toast to all father figures! Dads dining at Ambar will receive 50% off Rakia, a Balkan fruit spirit. Families are invited to treat Dad to Ambar’s renowned Balkan “Unlimited Dining Experience,” featuring unlimited servings of authentic, freshly prepared small plates, from savory grilled meats and artisanal cheeses to salads and house-baked breads. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
—Well, here’s a twist: This Father’s Day, Mama Delia is toasting mothers by letting moms drink free! There will be a lively Spanish brunch featuring jamón, sherry and plenty of flavor. It’s the perfect spot to celebrate the whole family (and give Mom a well-earned pour on Dad’s big day). Note: The offer is good for two drinks max per mom.
—And, to conclude, here’s something a bit different: Treat Dad to an adventure at Sonny Acres Farm’s 3rd Annual Pro Rodeo, now expanded to two weekends. Kicking off June 13–14 and continuing June 20–22, this family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day with rodeo thrills, BBQ bites, cold drinks, amusement rides and more. Watch top athletes compete in bareback and saddle bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and more—and then there’s trick-riding legend Dusti Crain Dickerson and her fire-jumping final.
Note: No reproduction of this column is permitted under any circumstances without the express prior written permission of the columnist.
