Where Chefs Eat: An Orange Dining Guide, From Hey Rosey’s Hugh Piper

A few hours’ drive from Sydney and you’re in the crisp, clean country air of Orange – ready to enjoy the spoils of the region. It’s the home of Australia’s longest-running regional food festival, and a healthy wine scene. So the outstanding dining makes sense. It’s down to both the talent in the kitchens and the beauty of the local produce – something you see clearly at Hey Rosey.

The wine bar on Orange’s main street is the little venue that could. Snap up a bar seat or a table in the skinny space – about three metres wide – with room for 20 or so. You’ll feel like you’re in your friend’s living room, but with good wine and standout food by chef Hugh Piper (ex-Dear Sainte Eloise).

“The local wine scene has played a large part in the development of the local hospitality scene too,” Piper says. “It’s brought tourists who are after good wine and good food, which means there’s enough demand to service all the venues. The abundance of local produce really helps to elevate it all.”

While a stop at Rosey is a must, there are food and drink venues of all sorts worth your time. “The hospitality community is really amazing, everyone is always ready to lend a hand or help where needed. I guess my favourite thing is working with all the wonderful local produce that dictates the menu – it’s hard to beat a tomato that was picked just hours prior to it being delivered.”

If you’re travelling to the region for a long weekend – or for upcoming festival Orange Food Week – you’ll want to secure your Rosey booking. But Piper’s picks of the region will sort out the rest of your dining dates, too.

Bakery: The Sugar Mill has fantastic sourdough, pies and pastries. It’s where we get our bread from for Hey Rosey – Darren and Stacey do such a great job.

26B Sale Street, Orange
@thesugarmillorange

Brekkie: I don’t head out for brekkie that often but when I do, you’ll find me at Good Eddy or Bills Beans. A filter coffee and a bacon and egg roll and I’m a happy boy.

187 Lords Place, Orange
@goodeddy

148 McLachlan Street, Orange
@billsbeans_eastorange

Solo dining: I don’t want to toot my own horn here too much, but I think Hey Rosey is the best spot in town for solo dining. It was a pretty strong point of emphasis when we opened that we wanted to have a nice long bar to sit at, and make sure that solo diners felt welcomed. We’re always happy to have a chat or leave you be if you just want some time to yourself.

301 Summer Street, Orange
@heyroseybar

Pub: My wife and I have a two-year-old daughter, Sunny, so we don’t get out so much at the minute – but we do find ourselves at the Canobolas fairly regularly. The food is great, especially the pizza, and Sunny can run around in the courtyard out the back.

248 Summer Street, Orange
@hotelcanobolas

Long lunch: It’s hard to beat sitting in the courtyard of The Union Bank under the beautiful magnolia, leisurely eating your way through their menu, spritz in hand.

84 Byng Street, Orange
@unionbankorange

Casual dinner: Lords Place Thai. Honestly, we get takeaway from here almost weekly. It may not be the most authentic Thai, but it’s bloody tasty! Honourable mention to Loc Sing, our classic regional Chinese restaurant.

195 Lords Place, Orange

Special occasion: A short drive out of town is the wonderful Fiorini’s. Seasonal Italian food in a gorgeous rural setting.

816 Canobolas Road, Canobolas
@fiorinis.orange

Winery: I’m biased as I did vintage there in 2022, but it’s hard to beat De Salis up on the slopes of Gaanha Bula (Mount Canobolas). Stunning wine made by stunning people, in a stunning setting – and the cellar door is open every day.

125 Mount Lofty Road, Nashdale
@desaliswines

Takeaway: There’s a little spot called Hill Street Grab’n’Go. They make the best schnitty salad roll. Piled with heaps of fresh salad, it really hits the spot.

167 Hill Street, Orange

Most underrated: Julian Ooi at Caje Kitchen is quietly dishing up some super tasty Malaysian food. Definitely flies under the radar in Orange.

Inside The Wellness House, 55 Bathurst Road, Orange
@caje.kitchen

Best burger: Gracie’s Burger gets my vote!

20 Sale Street, Orange
@graciesat4pinesorange

Sweet treat: Anything that Spilt Milk is scooping up.

45 Sale Street, Orange

Worth the trip: My wife and I love Blackheath – the folks at Frankie and Mo’s are doing great things. I haven’t had a chance to go yet, but I want to do a road trip out to Megalong at Lot 101.

Editor’s note: Blackheath is two hours by car from Orange, and about halfway between Sydney and Orange, making it an ideal stop on your way there or back.

44 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath
@frankieandmos

Favourite Sydney restaurant: Ester has always been my favourite, their food and venue as a whole is just so inspiring. Happy Chef Noodle Restaurant in the Sussex Shopping Centre is my other go-to when back in Sydney – the laksa is my favourite and something I grew up eating.

Bucket list restaurant: Le Doyenne, just outside of Paris, is the place I want to dine at the most. The amazing kitchen garden, the stunning old building and food that is so incredibly produce-driven is everything.

Kitchen hack: Learn how to work seasonally and learn how to season properly. Using veg when they’re at their best is one of the easiest ways to make simple food more tasty. It’s cheaper, too! Learning how to season well is the simplest way to make your food at home better. I’m not just talking about salt – but layering umami during cooking, using things like miso, good soy sauce and vinegar, too.

@cubepiper
@heyroseybar