VISITING ORANGE
RESTAURANTS AND CAFES
Whatever you feel like, Orange probably has it covered!
Coffee Options Orange has no shortage of coffee outlets. The closest cafe to the Garden Loft would be Byng Street which serves Allpress coffee 360 days of the year. Anything Grows (Academy Coffee) is not far on Summer Street and Omar’s also serves Academy Coffee. Over in East Orange, Bill’s Beans is an institution and Good Eddy's are consistently good (although they are sadly closed at the weekend). Further down Byng Street (eastern direction) is Harley and Hem who source their Zest coffee from Melbourne.
Breakfast or Lunch? One of my picks for breakfast or lunch would be Anything Grows which is a cafe set amongst a garden nursery. Byng Street Cafe also has delicious food and they change their menu regularly. It’s busy and bustling so you might have to wait for a table. Both are a convenient 10 minute walk from the Garden Loft. The Mad Hatters’ Drink Lab has a bit of a Melbourne/ industrial vibe and their egg and bacon rolls are tasty. It is a delightful sun trap in winter being Eastern facing. Its industrial and rustic charm creates a modern vibe for sampling the on site brewed beer and wine. However, it closes mid morning.
For lunch, Fiorini’s which is located out of central Orange towards Lake Canobolas, is a gem of a restaurant. Don’t be deceived by the rustic corrugated iron shed as the food is delicious and authentic Italian. It is BYO. Ring ahead and check it is open as the owners close for part of the year whilst visiting Italy.
Another scenic option for lunch is the Lakehouse Kiosk and Cafe.
Antipasto Options For a selection of carefully selected and premium local wines/beers/ciders, try the bottle shop The Lane Cellars. Right next door, for authentic European charcuterie and superior artisan meats, is Cured. Both are near the exit to Harris Farm which has an extensive delicatessen range of cheeses and pates. Scoop Wholefoods is also located in the same complex and has an extensive range of organic produce.
Asian Restaurants Asian picks would be; Modern Asian Sweet Sour Salt, Mr Lim serving Korean cuisine or the sleek and modern Japanese bar and restaurant, Raku.
For more casual sushi, Mr Sushi King has a sushi train and dinner menu. Mokoko offers good quality simple and fresh Japanese.
Feel Like Italian? Pizza and pasta options would be Avido’s which is well priced and simple but consistently good Italian food or Italian Pellegrinis (which is within walking distance).
Casual Dining and Pub Food Not far from the Garden Loft is the Gladstone Hotel which houses Gong Thai.
Another tasty option for pub food is The Park View. It is popular in summer as the beer garden is outside so it’s shady and cool.
A little more upmarket is Union Bank Hotel, located in a historic 165- year old building and set amongst an ambient fairy light encrusted courtyard. It serves simple and quality Modern Australian cuisine.
Fine Dining Charred Kitchen & Bar is a hatted restaurant serving Modern Australian cuisine where the dishes have an artistic dimension. Their wine list is impressive and award winning. The Peacock Room and Bella Vista Bar at The Oriana Hotel is a luxurious restaurant and retro chic cocktail bar featuring a Classic European dining menu. Known for stylish, delicious Modern Australian food and an extensive wine list. It’s also really convenient only being a three minute walk from the Garden Loft. When you’re there, make sure you have a look at the copies of 15th century Renaissance masters. These artworks were hidden behind walls, during the Nazi occupation of Germany, to keep them safe and protected. It’s amazing that this small collection is privately owned and on display here in Orange.
Something Sweet If you’re after something sweet after dinner, then Spilt Milk is a must. It is irresistible Australian Gelato made with the best ingredients from Aussie farms. However, it will ruin any future ice cream experiences as the flavours are so pure and authentic.
Wine Bars Ferment wine bar has an extensive selection of local and international wines and the newly opened Hey Rosey is said to impress with its wine and food. Another wine and cocktail bar, Birdie Noshery & Drinking Establishment is also open for breakfast and lunch
BAKERIES
Racine Bakery and The Sugar Mill both serve sourdough breads, pies, cakes, pastry & French style croissants.
SHOPPING
For a splash of colour and some retail therapy visit the infamous Sonic Building which houses the clothing & homewares mecca, Jumbled. It has fashion, jewellery, homewares and art as well as a cafe to refuel on caffeine.
White Place is also known for its stylish furniture, home decor products, clothing and jewellery. Cint offers a handpicked collection of Australian and International womens’ high end fashion labels.
MUSIC
If you’re in luck, The Orange Regional Conservatorium of Music which focuses on locally produced chamber music, orchestral and student focused concerts will have a classical music concert playing.
Orange has an active live music scene, many of the Pubs and Restaurants around town will have live music, including the Agrestic Grocer who have regular gigs from Local and visiting artists, particularly on (Ruby) Tuesday Evenings. Check out their Facebook page to discover who is playing.
WANDERING ORANGE
Walking the streets of Orange is an excellent way to appreciate the different architecture and magnificent gardens.
On your way to most things is Victorian designed Cook Park which is a heritage-listed 4-hectare urban park. See the mystical and artistic dragon sculpture in the duck pond, appreciate the established and wise trees, sit in the bandstand and talk to the cockatoos in the aiviary. The work of local craftspeople can be found in ‘Bastick Cottage’, a Victorian style, heritage building.
The colours of Cook Park
WINERIES
Orange is renowned for its wonderful cold climate wines.
Our top tips for wineries (in no particular order!) would be: premium and delicious handcrafted wines from De Salis or Rowlee as well as Bloodwood's whose award winning wines are synonymous with quality fine wine and food.
Patina is known for their boutique range. The cellar door (just near Lucknow) combines Japanese style gardens with a Tuscan setting. Definitely recommend for both the tranquil atmosphere and delicious wines.
Borrodell Vineyard is one of Australia's highest vineyards, situated on the picturesque slopes of an extinct volcano, Mt Canobolas. Located at the top of the vineyard is the Sister's Rock Restaurant and the Sky Bar.
SCENIC OPTIONS
More energetic options would be the Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve with its ancient limestone caves, a visit up Pinnacle or Mt Canobolas (which is also known as Gaanha-bul in Wiradjuri) to appreciate the view or to Federal Falls (on the road to Mt Canobolas) which is an intense 2hr walk.
Borrodell Vineyard (a few minutes past the turn to Lake Canobolas) also has a spectacular view over Orange. For some authentic foraging, Huntley Berry Farm has seasonal fruit and vegetables you can pick straight from the plant.
AROUND ORANGE
Surrounding Orange are many beautiful and picturesque villages.
Lucknow, which is only 15 minutes from your base, offers the Skin Shop and Boot Barn where iconic cowhides hang outside the store. A dash across the highway is Larder and Home which is part of the Byng Street Cafe Collective. Enjoy a coffee and something yummy from the cafe or a piping hot dish from the pizza oven whilst overlooking Summer Hill Creek. Sadly the doors on this particular premises will be closing soon.
The picture-perfect village of Carcoar is nestled in a small sheltered valley beside the meandering Belubula River. A true historic gem so it is well worth the drive. Situated in the village is the restaurant Antica which recreates dishes from the ancient region of Ciociaria in central Italy, using locally sourced seasonal produce. The town also houses Tomolly a gift and homewares shop.
Millthorpe is a quaint and historically listed village. From its eclectic variety of shops to gardens and historic buildings, it is definitely worth a wander. Tonic Restaurant has a seasonal focus and showcases the best from local producers. It has regularly been awarded a chef's hat by the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide.
Millthorpe Village
The view of the historic street in Millthorpe, NSW.
About Orange Photographs by Pip Farquharson
www.photographybypip.com.au
Last updated March 2024