My father and I are both particularly crazy about pudding. When we’re together, we’re incorrigible. If there’s a diabetes-inducing dessert on the menu, or a way to amp up the cream content, we’ll egg each other on until we’re in possession of the dessert with the most artery-clotting potential. And without fail, my father will always claim ‘tax’ on my choices; something I always thought terribly unfair as a child, since his mouthfuls were so much bigger than mine. I can still remember the desserts I shared with him – a butterfly-shaped pudding at Le Petite Ferme aged about six; my first crème brulée (in London, when I was around nine), and the best sticky toffee pudding I've ever had (aged 11 in a slightly dingy pub in the Lake District in the UK). In retrospect, it was probably my father’s quirky tax legislation that made these memories stick in my mind in such detail. Sharing a dessert with someone is, after all, a thousand times better than eating one alone.

This Father’s Day, we’ve put together a list of some of the best Father’s Day specials around, so you can take dad out for a change. And maybe even persuade him to order his own dessert.

Johannesburg

Carnivore Restaurant
A meal and bottomless beer for the dads for R185 per person. Moms get a glass of sherry on arrival.

Rodizio (Fourways)
A three-course meal for R150.

The Cradle
A four-course lunch for R225.

The Terrace at Fairlawns
Breakfast for R175, lunch for R220. Various accommodation packages are also available.

Durban

Gigi's Brasserie (Hotel iZulu)
A five-course, a la carte lunch menu at R220 per person.

Cape Town

Cape Grace Signal Restaurant
 A three-course meal for R240 per person and a prize for one lucky dad.

Cuvée
A three-course meal at Cuvée. Meal costs R250 per person – this includes a complimentary glass of Kaapse Vonkel Méthode Cap Classique.  You can also book a 4X4 adventure on the Land Rover Experience track. 

Delaire-Graff Estate
 A special three-course menu (including tea/coffee and dessert) for R450 per adult and R250 per child.

Five Flies
2-course meal for R185, A three-course meal for R210.

Fyndraai Restaurant
Launching on Father's Day, a traditional 'Kaapsekos' menu for R125 per person, R60 for kids under 12. The menu will continue on subsequent Sundays, but on 19 June 2011 dads will receive a free glass of wine and wine-tasting. Two bottles of Solms-Delta Hiervandaan will also be on offer for R150 on Father's Day.

Goederust Farm Kitchen
Father's Day buffet lunch for R130 per person, including starters, mains and desserts.

Glen Carlou
A three-course special menu

Knife
A 500g T-bone steak for R150.

Laborie Lazy Days Market
On Saturday, 18 June dads will be treated to a spectacular vintage Peugeot car exhibition, as well as a selection of international and local beers. Live entertainment will be provided by well-known musician Gerald Clark, and the market will be open until 17h00, as opposed to 13h00.

Montazicht
A three-course meal for R120 per person, between 11:30 am and 3 pm.

Olivello
A three-course meal for R235, plus gifts for the dads.

Proviant
Buffet for R175 per person

Catharina's
Sunday jazz lunch buffet for R240 per person, 50% discount for children under 12. Local musician Eddy Kirkwood will be performing.

Tides Restaurant at the Bay Hotel 
A four-course set menu, including a cigar and pot-stilled brandy for the gentlemen and a coffee liqueur for the ladies, for R250.

The Mint
Jazz brunch for R185 and tea and a three-tiered stand for R95.

Trees
A three-course meal and a glass of wine for R165. Only valid on 19 June 2011.

By Katharine Jacobs
Research: Kelly Pluke