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If you’re visiting Orange for a couple of days, I reckon there are a handful of truths. For one, you’re guaranteed to sip excellent cool-climate drops – the region produces some of NSW’s finest wine, after all. You’re also going to eat well: the regional city punches well above its weight, serving delicious, seasonal stuff grown down the road (case in point: Hey Rosey, winner of Time Out Sydney’s Best Regional Award 2025).
The third truth? You’re going to want to come back, and you might even start thinking about it before you hit the return road. And the last? You’re pretty much guaranteed to end up at Hotel Canobolas at some point. There are worse places to end your night.
The vibe
Hotel Canobolas is named after Mount Canobolas – an extinct volcanic mountain located nearby – but locals know it as The Nob. Established in the late 19th century and rebuilt in 1939 in an Art Deco style, it was the go-to place for VIPs visiting town, from politicians to royalty and celebrities. It’s still a cracking spot for both locals and out-of-towners to hang out, thanks in part to its primo location smack bang in the centre of town. The hotel and pub feature 45 rooms, plus a full bistro, pizza bar, sunny courtyard, front bar and a range of event spaces. There's also live music and gigs every week. In 2021, The Point Group – who are behind Sydney venues Shell House, The International and The Dolphin – took over as co-owners, and we hear there are big reno plans in the pipeline. Watch this space.
The food
Expect solid pub classics at Hotel Canobolas – including parmys, fish and chips, burgers, steaks, pasta and more. A French rotisserie oven caramelises free-range chooks, which you can enjoy with fries and salad or stuffed into a roll drizzled with buttery gravy. The pizzas are also a standout: 24-hour fermented dough that’s cooked until charred, puffy perfection – Neapolitana-style – in a wood-fired Italian oven. Go for the hot honey with mozzarella, salami, tomato, chilli, sweetened with honey – and enjoy it with a beer in the courtyard.
Keep a look out for their weekly specials – think $15 pizzas on Mondays, $15 burgers on Tuesdays and $15 schnittys on Wednesdays.
The drinks
It’s great to see Orange’s top producers and drops highlighted on the drinks menu – including See Saw's prosecco, Philip Shaw’s chardonnay pinot noir sparkling, Chalou riesling, and Rowlee’s pinot noir. Choose something local and you can't go wrong. Cocktail-wise, there’s a selection of party-starting drinks, including the Summer St Spritz (Limoncello, yuzu, fresh lemon and prosecco), or if you’re after something more stiff, the Hotel Canobolas Negroni or Old Fashioned should do the trick.
Time Out tip
Orange has got something going for it all throughout the year, but if you’re only going to visit annually, better make it during Orange Food Week. The 10-day celebration is Australia’s longest-running regional food festival, and is about as much delicious, wholesome and boozy fun as you can have. And be sure to buy a ticket to Forage, the one-day grown-up grape-to-grape shindig where you stroll around Orange’s vineyards, eating, drinking and dancing. And end up at The Nob. Great stuff.