George’s Attractions

Before we leave the lovely town of George to venture further down the garden route, I would like to share some little gems. In any spot, there are always places recommended by locals (you know who you are and Thank You!) that you would otherwise miss… And, of course, there are tourist attractions which can be equally enchanting. Today’s column is a mixture of both – a story told mainly in pictures. We hope you enjoy the read and, even more importantly, visit the places when you are in the area. Enjoy!

Do any of you from Jozi remember a fabulous little restaurant called Osteria Tre Nonni? Well, they moved – lock, stock and barrel – down to George. Billed as a “Taste of the Mediterranean in South Africa”, their food is simply sublime! My personal favourite in an Italian restaurant is usually the homemade pasta, which they have in abundance. That said, the first time we visited with friends, I could not choose between a sole and the fillet. So, we shared a meal. I had half a fillet with a sole. Perfection!! The second visit (yes, it was just that good!), I had a delicious pizza with Parma ham, rocket, parmesan shavings and avocado. 

Their food is interesting and varied, and thoroughly delicious (check out their menu on the link in the info box). The prices are reasonable, and the portions are generous. The restaurant is well-situated, and on a sunny day you can see the beautiful mountains. Stelio, the owner/manager, popped by for a quick chat – he’s around yet unobtrusive, which is as it should be. There is apparently a play area for children (we didn’t see it as we were there at night) and the interior is cosy and comfortable. This must rate as one of the best restaurants on the Garden Route. It is really popular, so be sure to make a booking to avoid disappointment. 

Jack’s Bagels is a fabulous breakfast venue. The first Jacks Bagel store was apparently opened in Walmer, Gqeberha in March 2018 by the co-founders John and J-lee (Jack is their son). The restaurant/café specialises in the traditional New York-style bagel – a chewy crust with dense but soft inner-baked goodness. 

I chose poached eggs and salmon, served with hollandaise sauce and avocado on the side. The best breakfast I’ve had in a long while. 

Are you a coffee aficionado? These outlets have their own coffee roastery, and the menu has a wide array of coffees – each a little different to the run-of-the-mill coffees you experience elsewhere.

The Redberry Farm is a delightful spot where you can go and pick your own strawberries. If you have children, this is a really great venue and could take up a whole day. If you’re going to pick strawberries, probably best to visit this spot earlier on your holiday so you have time to  eat all that you have gathered before heading home! 

You can apparently climb the giant strawberry, which will give you great views of the fields and surrounds – and some great panoramic photos. There is a bubble ball activity area and water boats which we didn’t visit as it was freezing and threatening to rain, so we simply sat and enjoyed what was on offer in the restaurant. 

I had a strawberry milkshake (what else??) and some delicious carrot cake, and Ian had a coffee and a scone with strawberry jam. All very “yum”. 

There is also a hedge maze which we missed, consisting of seven strawberry stations, a 25m underground tunnel and a look-out point – found within 10km of pathways. The maze is the largest in the Southern hemisphere! 

There are also wine tasting facilities, a mini train ride, imitation go-karts, and animals to feed. Be sure to choose a sunny day so  you don’t miss out on all these activities. We purchased some lovely deep red strawberry jam before leaving as gifts for those at home. 

There are still one or two things to explore in George which we will feature in our final column in this series as we visited those just before we flew home. Next week we start heading towards Knysna and Plett…

Jacqui Ikin & The Cross Country Team

INFO BOX:

Osteria Tre Nonni
069 865 5230
New Virgin Active Building, 27 York St, Dormehls Drift, George, 6529

Jack’s Bagels
044 023 0103
70 Meade St, George South, George, 6529

Redberry Farm
044 870 7123
Geelhoutboom Road, Blanco, George, 6530