With front-row views of the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, Aria stands in one of the most enviable spots in the city. The windows overlooking the water are huge, the atmosphere is elegant and buzzy, and many of the tables have an intimate relationship with the stunning view. The food, created by Matthew Moran, one of Australia’s great chefs, is imaginative and mouthwatering. Standout dishes at the time of writing included the pan-fried kingfish filets with a salad of white beans and hazelnut, with a red-wine sauce; and the sweet pork loin with lentil salad and black pudding.