Circular Quay restaurants that you have to try

Aria is a classy waterfront venue. Diners need deeper pockets but enjoy award-winning fine dining and floor-to-ceiling Sydney Harbour views.

Aria offers tasting experiences instead of a la carte. The restaurant has lunch and dinner tasting menus that rotate seasonally. Aria’s chef, Matt Moran, is a revered pioneer of seasonal produce.

Dish Cult recommends dining in the evening to catch the sunset. The dinner tasting menu includes four courses for $190 – keep an eye out for the delicious Murray cod with purple artichokes and diamond clams!

Looking for more about Aria? We’ve featured them in our Guide to romantic dining spots in Sydney and Restaurants With The Best Views In Sydney.

Sometimes, Mediterranean cuisine is the answer to everything. Luckily, you can head to Lana, less than 200 metres from Circular Quay.

Lana has set menus, so it is a perfect venue for the indecisive. For $79 per person, the four-course tasting experience fuses Mediterranean classics with Aussie produce.

Out of all the dishes on the menu, the Fregola adaptation is one to watch. Lana keeps traditional ingredients yet includes locally sourced Spanner Crab. Dish Cult recommends saving room for this dish!

If you prefer casual dining, Cubby’s Kitchen is the place for informal Lebanese cuisine. Cubby’s Kitchen attracts sociable dining with long communal tables and plenty of passing tourists.

You can enjoy smaller ‘mezze’ dishes to share or a single main dish. Cubby’s also has an international drinks menu, so keep it Aussie with a Coopers or mix things up and try a Lebanese Almaza beer.

The Samke Harra main with harissa and sliced almonds is a top pick at Cubby’s!

Junk Lounge is a cocktail bar and trendy eatery. Expect a sophisticated, chic atmosphere with Asian fusion cuisine and Opera House views.

You might start with a classic appetiser like Edamame beans. Alternatively, jump straight to the ‘substantial’ section for a choice of flavour pioneering mains.

Get your tastebuds dancing with the Yuzu chilli sweet and sour tempura cauliflower. The vegetarian dish is a humble $25 and well-accompanied with a $23 ‘Hanoi Handshake’ cocktail or two.

Junk Lounge also makes an appearance on our Ultimate Guide on the Best Asian Restaurants In Sydney

If you are craving Chinese food, The East is sure to serve your favourites. Plus, you can dine inside or al fresco, with views over the Harbour Bridge.

Upscale? Yes. Adventurous? Even more so. You can try stir-fried crocodile, kangaroo fillet, or keep it classic with a hot pot of your choice.

Their extensive menu is filled with deliciousness, however if we’re pressed, Dish Cult recommends you try the Golden Coat Prawn, fried in salted egg yolk for $44.80.