Taking place on June 16th 2013, Father’s Day is on the horizon, so what can thebestof Colchester do to help you treat dad to a great day?

Father’s Day can be a simple affair. Dad’s usually happy enough to go to the pub for lunch and a few drinks. And a traditional pub with a fantastic range of food from pub classics such as burgers and scampi to locally sources fish and incredible steaks, a selection of beers and refreshments and a relaxing beer garden is the White Hart Inn, just outside Colchester in West Bergholt.

In Colchester itself is a wide range of restaurants from a selection of international cuisines, such as Mussi’s Café Bar and Restaurant. Situated near the castle on Museum Street, Mussi's offers modern European food, sourced locally and cooked to perfection.

For more great local eateries, including The Stockwell, La Cascada Restaurant and Tapas Bar, Portofino, The Stoke by Nayland Hotel's Lake Restaurant, North Hill Noodle Bar, and Na-Ree Thair Restaurant, see thebestof Colchester’s listings page.

Alternatively, if the weather is half decent, you could always pack up a picnic or visit your local butchers to stock up on barbecue food? What dad doesn't love sitting in the great outdoors, either munching on a large pie or cake, or waving his tongs about as he proudly shows off his 'cooking skills'? (Never mind the fact that mum bought it, stored it, marinated it, took it outside to be put on the hot coals and then ran out with the plate for it to be served on...)

No. 85 Coffee Shop is part of the renowned butcher's shop and deli, Millins of Tiptree, and is home to a massive range of delicious, home cooked sandwiches, rolls, baguettes, pasties, pies, sausage rolls, cakes... ideal sustenance after a stroll in the countryside. Or if you are planning something a bit larger, they also do party platters and only a few days notice is required.

Or if you are throwing caution to the wind and planning a barbecue, local butchers, Millins of Tiptree or Frank Wright and Son Ltd are purveyors of high quality beef, lamb, pork, poultry, game, burgers, sausages and everything else in-between!

Let dad put his feet up

With summer approaching, and Dad already sick of dragging the lawnmower over the back garden, why not let him put his feet up with one of our local garden maintenance companies. Both Greengrass Ground Maintenance and Jane’s Garden Service offer the chance for a beautiful garden all year round. You might not be able to book them for Father’s Day itself, but knowing you are going to be buying a professional to help out could be a real boost.

And there are plenty more Father's Day ideas available at thebestof Colchester, and every business listed comes highly recommended by local people. So don't panic as June 16th looms closer; come to us for inspiration!