Even without the world-class views of the Sydney skyline, there would still be plenty to love about this waterside institution that serves world-class pan-Asian food.

It’s quite the badge of honour when you consider Asian cuisine is one of, if not the biggest, influences of the city’s culinary landscape and one that is consistently updated and revised.

China Doll’s brilliance is also testament to its long-serving head chef Frank Shek, who seems to have an uncanny ability to keep his menu seeming fresh, inventive and original.

And what a menu it is. Few can go past classics like the wagyu carpaccio with soft egg truffle, the corn and zucchini cakes, the duck pancakes, crispy pork belly or the hot numbing chicken ribs. And then there’s the dumplings which rival anything Chinatown has to offer.

Must eat: Dumplings