Dad probably has a chair he sits in, a route he takes to the mailbox, and a week that looks like every other week. A regular place can give him somewhere to go that is not the house, and it can give you some rest knowing he is among people who notice when he does not show up. But a place only helps if he can get in, sit down, and get home without a struggle. Check these things before you suggest it, and before you tell him it is a good idea.
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What to check before you commit
Go on a quiet hour, not the busy lunch rush. Stand at the door and look at the steps, the threshold, and the handle. Look for a step-free entry or a ramp, a bathroom he can reach without a long walk, and a chair with arms he can push himself up from. Ask the staff whether regulars have a usual seat or usual time, and whether someone calls a person who does not come in. Ask how long the drive is from his front door, and whether the place is open at the hours you would need.
Ask what it costs, what is included, and what is extra, and get the answer in writing. Ask whether he can leave whenever he wants without signing out or giving a reason. A place that makes him feel watched is not the right regular place, even if it is close.
What to do tonight
Write down three places you can actually reach. Start with the ones he chose himself when Mom was alive: the barber, the diner counter, the hardware store, the church lunch. Then ask him once, plainly, whether he would try one day with you along. Do not sign anything at two in the morning, and do not announce the plan at breakfast as if it is already settled. Let him say no and come back to it.
When to ask the doctor
If his walking, balance, or breathing makes even a short trip a risk, ask his doctor what kind of outing is safe for him before you set a schedule. Describe what he can manage on a good day and on a bad day. The doctor can tell you which limits to plan around, and the place can tell you what it is able to adjust.
Compare two places
Visit both at the same time of day. Notice who greets him, whether the chairs are comfortable for a long sit, whether staff speak to him or past him, and how loud the room is. Compare the ride home as much as the place itself. A wonderful place that takes a hard drive every week may not last through the first cold month, so pick the one you can keep up with.