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There are several great dog-friendly restaurants and activities around George and Wilderness. The next time you visit, rest assured that we have ‘pawsome’ ideas to get fluffy tails wagging. Whether you want your pooch to be pampered, or you just want some dog-friendly spaces for chilling; it’s time to bring your furry friend on vacay.
Restaurants and Activities in George
Featured Image: Marshmallow Café
Canine companions will love the Marshmallow Café, at the Garden Route Botanic Gardens, on Caledon Street. They have a big lawn for pups to lounge on, and a menu filled with light meals and drool-worthy gourmet milkshakes. They braai at the weekend and there is a tap and water bowl for thirsty mutts. You can access the sprawling botanic gardens directly from the entrance. Dogs must be on a leash in the gardens, but there are plenty of interesting little hikes to explore like the Mushroom Meander and the Medicinal Plant Mound. Open Tuesday to Sunday.
Featured Image: The Food Co
The Food Co Bakery and Café at the Pick and Pay Centre welcomes dogs. They have a covered patio seating area, so it is still accessible even if the weather is wet. Their menu is based on their delicious preservative-free sourdough breads and homemade treats. Stop by for a baked cinnamon bun and a cappuccino, while your pup does some crowd gazing. Open Tuesday to Friday 8am to 4 pm, and Saturday until noon. Excellent WIFI!
Featured Image: The Pottery
Perch with your pooch at The Pottery Garden Café and Pizzeria, on York Street. This funky little café and restaurant offers laid-back dining and has lots of grass for dogs to roll around on. Try out their wood-fired pizza and soak up the good vibes. Watch the potters work the wheels and glaze the Wonki Ware Pottery. There are lots of fresh healthy menu items, including vegan and vegetarian options. Locals love to hang out here and sip a cappuccino while they paint a plate. The Pottery has a full bar license and hosts the occasional night market with local crafts. Open daily from 8,30am to 5pm. Closed on Sundays.
Featured Image: The Cornerstone Lifestyle Centre
Patrons of the Cornerstone Lifestyle Centre, in Blanco, are welcome to bring their pups to the center. Millwick’s Café offers a ‘trot/wheel through’ option for horse riders, cyclists and dog walkers needing a caffeine fix. The Corner Club has outside tables and a patch of lawn for pooches. Sample their craft beer and wine selection, with a charcuterie platter. Dogs are also welcome in the Cornerstone Emporium Winery and Deli
Featured Image: The Outeniqua Family Market
If the world revolves around your wet-nosed companion, then you may need an extra special treat for your dog. The Outeniqua Family Market in George is a family and pet friendly outing. The Drool Lekker tasting bar and pet food stall sells delicious dog and cat treats including fish biscuits, lamb’s liver nibbles, chicken liver treats, cheesy chews, and gizzard snacks. All the homemade pet treats are sugar, salt, wheat and preservative free.
If you and your dog are celebrating a special anniversary or birthday while on holiday in George, check out local confectioner, Canine Bakes. They have specially formulated treats for dogs and their ‘Paw Menu’ includes pooch-friendly biscuits and ‘pup-cakes’. Their homemade peanut butter mini bakes and bacon bliss cupcakes are well reviewed by the local canine connoisseurs.
Contact George Pet Photographer Melissa Pohl for a special lasting memory of your soul mutt. She specializes in artistic pet photography. Check out her work on Instagram. It’s really the mutt’s nuts!
Restaurants and Activities in Wilderness
Featured Image: The Girls on the Square
Furry friends like to lounge in the shade at the Palms Garden Square, in Wilderness. The Girls on the Square is an award-winning restaurant with covered outdoor seating. It is much loved by locals and international visitors for African-inspired tasty seafood and tender steaks. The restaurant is owned by dog lover, Roxi Blum. Enjoy a gin tasting and some finger licking prawns. Water bowls are available on request. Open 7 days a week 9am till late.
Featured Image : The Bling Pig
Dog owners can grab a pint of beer next door at local hooch joint, The Blind Pig. The Pig, as it is locally known, specializes in craft beer and has plenty of outdoor tables for lounging about, on sunny days. The staff are fun, upbeat and there is often live music. Grab a bite of something battered or deep-fried to fill your tummy. Bring your pup to the Pig, and party!
Featured Image: Zucchini Restaurant
Zucchini Restaurant at the Timberlake Organic Village, in Kleinkrantz is super dog friendly. This family restaurant specializes in artisanal and homecooked food. Their menu is packed with fresh seasonal ingredients. They have a lovely outdoor area, which is popular with dog-lovers, but watch out for the local troop of vervet monkeys, they love to steal snacks and treats. The Timberlake Village is also the home of several indoor/outdoor coffee shops, studios and workshops. Check out Pause Coffee Roastery, Ingrid Nuss Fine Art Gallery, Wildflower Leather Studio and Neevrah Art.
Featured Image: The Commonage
Just about everywhere in Wilderness is dog-friendly, but The Commonage and The Green Shed are excellent options for a ‘canine and coffee’ break. The Commonage is located adjacent to a large dog-friendly grassy common, on Waterside Road. So grab a dirty chai, head for the lawn and let the tail wag the dog for a while.
Featured Image: Milkwood Village Market
Make Sunday a fun day for you pet by going to the Milkwood Village Market in Wilderness. This pretty market square hosts some permanent restaurants and bars with outdoor seating for pet-lovers. There are also stalls selling artwork, clothing, gifts, food, and crafts between 10am and 3pm every Sunday.
Yelp for Help
If your dog gets ill on holiday, the following vets offer out of hours and emergency assistance, Garden Route Animal Hospital, VetCare Animal Clinic and George Animal Clinic.
