Five of the best things to do with Dad on Father's Day

If your dad, like many, tends to stick to his favourite local pub, then perhaps it's time to take him on a bit of an adventure. Start with our list of the 50 best pubs in Melbourne and consider what Dad might like best: a lively sports bar, perhaps – or maybe a pub that does the best smoked brisket in town? You know your pa best; we're just here to give you a leg up.

We don't want to stereotype, but when it comes to parmas, we think it's pretty safe to say that most dads love 'em. So why not treat him to one of the best the city has to offer? We judged parma perfection by following a set of criteria that each winning parma would have to meet. We asked ourselves: is the chook fresh, flavoursome, moist and tender? Is the crumb well-seasoned and crisp throughout? Is the cheese rich and bubbly golden brown? Is the ham thick and rich, lending depth and umami to an otherwise simple dish? Is the sauce made from scratch, with the freshest of ingredients? And of course, are the parma's natural allies – the chips, the salad and the beer – all up to scratch?  After much deliberation, here, in no particular order, are five of the city's best and the personalities they represent.

The roar of the crowd, the thrill of the action, a beer in one hand and a hot pie in the other – is there a better way to spend an afternoon in Melbourne? By September the AFL finals will have started, and the atmosphere at any game you go to with Dad will be electric. If you can't wait until finals season, check out the AFL fixture and grab your tickets now.