Aria

Aria has been one of Sydney's leading fine dining restaurants for many years, and its position on East Circular Quay gives it some of the best views of any restaurant in the city. Large windows face the Opera House on one side and the Harbour Bridge across the water, and as evening falls the lights of the harbour become part of the meal. The restaurant is owned by the chef Matt Moran and Elliot Solomon, and the kitchen is led by executive chef Tom Gorringe.

The menus focus on Australian produce, cooked with precision and presented with care. Examples have included Fraser Island spanner crab with celtuce, cucumber and Yarra Valley trout roe, and dishes change with the seasons. Diners can choose a three-course menu, a five-course or eight-course tasting menu, or shorter two- or three-course options at lunch and before the theatre.

Dinner is served every night, with reservations from 17:00 to 21:30 on most evenings and until 20:30 on Sundays. Lunch runs from Thursday to Sunday, from 12:00 to 14:30. Bookings can be made through the website, by phone or by email, and it is worth requesting a window table if the view matters to you.

The pre-theatre menu is designed for people going on to a performance at the Opera House, which is only a few minutes' walk away along the quay. For a longer celebration, the eight-course tasting menu with matched wines shows the kitchen at full stretch. Service is attentive and polished, and the dress code is smart.

Aria is part of the Solotel hospitality group, and reservations can also be made by email through the address published on its website. Those planning a celebration can ask about the private and group dining options available when booking, and mention any dietary needs so the kitchen can prepare.

Aria suits anniversaries, business dinners and visitors who want a classic harbourside fine dining experience. It is less suited to young children or anyone looking for a quick bite. Arriving at dusk lets you see the harbour in daylight and then as the lights come on. The restaurant is at 1 Macquarie Street, a short walk from Circular Quay station and the ferry wharves. After dinner, a walk around the Opera House forecourt or through the gates of the Royal Botanic Garden makes a pleasant end to the evening.