George is a working South African town rather than a tourist resort, which means the food scene is straightforward and good value. The York Street area has the main concentration of restaurants and cafes. South African staples — braai (barbecue), boerewors rolls, potjiekos (slow-cooked stew) — are done well here and are far cheaper than the equivalent in Cape Town. The proximity to the sea means seafood is reliably fresh: Cape cob, yellowtail, and locally caught crayfish all feature on menus when in season.
The Outeniqua Farmers Market, held on Saturday mornings at the Pacaltsdorp showgrounds, is worth an early start for local produce, biltong, preserves, and the kind of home-baked goods that rarely make it as far as supermarkets. George also has a Woolworths Food and a Pick n Pay for self-caterers stocking up before heading into the Garden Route national park.