The Bench Eatery & Bar — Restaurant in George

Let me start by saying: this visit was far from smooth.

We were seated and then… forgotten. About 20 minutes went by with no menus until we had to flag someone down. . The manager eventually came over to apologise, explaining he was stuck in the kitchen due to issues and the other manager was handling another section. Which honestly gave the impression the place was understaffed.

Some drink orders were missing, and the ones that did arrive took quite a while, which only added to the frustration, and at one point the waiter even took away drinks we were still drinking…

When our food finally arrived, two orders were incorrect. My manager specifically ordered a pizza with no tomato, and when she politely asked for it to be corrected, the waiter basically questioned her memory. Not sure who trained him, but arguing with customers is definitely not part of the customer-service starter pack.

My own order was also mishandled. I ordered the crumbed mushroom starter and a Hawaiian pizza with mushrooms added. I even confirmed with the waiter that the mushrooms would be thinly sliced. My pizza arrived with zero mushrooms, and when I asked about it, the staff member told me, “Hawaiian pizza doesn’t come with mushrooms.” Which I obviously knew, hence ordering extra.

Our waiter later returned, insisting that I had only ordered crumbed mushrooms and a standard Hawaiian pizza. Again, instead of simply fixing the mistake, he argued with me about what I ordered. I eventually had to say, “I’m not going to argue with you about what I ordered,” which should never be necessary at a restaurant.

The corrected pizza eventually arrived (with very thick mushrooms instead of the thin ones I confirmed earlier), but by then the evening was already ruined. I ended up taking it as a takeaway.

Overall? Service was rough, staff were scarce, and the food did not redeem the experience. Whether it’s staffing, training, or Mercury in retrograde, something is seriously off here. I won’t be returning and I definitely won’t be bringing my international guests here again.

The Bench Eatery & Bar in George is a hidden gem that you absolutely have to visit. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.

The menu is diverse and offers something for everyone, from gourmet burgers to vegan bowls. And let me tell you, the food is amazing. The portions are generous, the ingredients are fresh, and everything is cooked to perfection. I highly recommend trying the pulled pork sandwich or the falafel wrap - both are packed with flavor and incredibly satisfying.

But what really sets The Bench apart is their cocktail menu. The mixologists are true artists, creating unique and delicious drinks that you won't find anywhere else. Whether you prefer a classic margarita or something more adventurous, like a lavender gin fizz, they've got you covered. And if you're not in the mood for alcohol, their mocktails are just as delicious.

The service at The Bench is top-notch. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to go above and beyond to make your dining experience unforgettable. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner for two or a night out with friends, they've got you covered.

Overall, The Bench Eatery & Bar in George is a must-visit for anyone looking for great food, amazing cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere. You won't be disappointed.

The service and food quality at the bench has taken a big dip over the passed few months, I had the pleasure of dining at the Bench in the beginning of 2017 and the service was great and the burgers (which were their main speciality) were delicious. The patties alone were the thickness of between 3 and 4 centimeters and tasted amazing, however, I dined there recently (April 2018) and the experience was terrible. The patties size are now about 1 centimeter thick if you’re lucky and are very bland, the service from the waiters isn’t bad but there is certainly room for improvement. The manageress who I am assuming was recently employed, because she was totally unprofessional when discussing a dispute about our table, clearly had no idea what good, proper customer service is. The place itself is an amazing destination, they have recently opened up a beer garden and an open air rooftop bar which makes the ideal destination for a cold craft beer and a beautiful view of the stars at night, it’s just a pity that their food quality has dropped and that their service is not on par.