Driftwood Restaurant Nanaimo

Driftwood Restaurant Nanaimo You will only find the freshest food in our kitchen!

Our extensive menu offers a wide selection of dishes ranging from traditional to modern recipes or come enjoy our buffet!

🌶️ The MALA Journey Just Got Bigger!You asked. We listened.Our Mala Tang has quickly become one of the most popular item...
08/02/2026

🌶️ The MALA Journey Just Got Bigger!

You asked. We listened.

Our Mala Tang has quickly become one of the most popular items at Driftwood Nanaimo. After hearing so many requests from our guests, we’re excited to introduce something new…

🔥 NEW! Mala Xiang Guo (Dry Pot)

Now you can choose your favorite way to enjoy our Build Your Own MALA Journey:

🍲 Mala Tang – A rich, flavorful spicy soup.

🔥 Mala Xiang Guo – A bold, dry stir-fry bursting with aroma and wok-fired flavor.

Same fresh ingredients.
Different experience.
Your choice.



What is Mala Xiang Guo?

Mala Xiang Guo (麻辣香锅) originated in Sichuan, China, and has become one of the country’s most popular comfort foods.

Unlike hot pot, everything is stir-fried over high heat with a fragrant blend of Sichuan peppercorns, chili, garlic, and our house-made sauce. The result is a dish that’s spicy, savory, aromatic, and full of wok hei (the signature smoky flavor created by high-heat cooking).

It’s the perfect choice if you love bold flavors without the broth.



🌶 Build Your Own MALA Journey

✔ Choose from 12 fresh ingredients

✔ Pick your style:
🍲 Mala Tang (Soup)
or
🔥 Mala Xiang Guo (Dry Pot)

✔ Our chef adds premium ingredients and cooks everything fresh to order.



Available Daily

🕟 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM

📍 Driftwood Chinese Buffet – Nanaimo

🚗 Available for Takeout and now on Uber Eats, DoorDash & Skip!

Which team are you on?

❤️ Team Mala Tang
or
🔥 Team Mala Xiang Guo?

Tell us in the comments! 👇

✨ MAGIC HAS ARRIVED AT DRIFTWOOD NANAIMO! ✨🎩 Table-Side Magic ShowEvery Sunday4:30 PM – 7:30 PMExperience the interactiv...
07/26/2026

✨ MAGIC HAS ARRIVED AT DRIFTWOOD NANAIMO! ✨

🎩 Table-Side Magic Show

Every Sunday
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Experience the interactive table-side magic that guests love—now at Driftwood Chinese Buffet Nanaimo!

✨ Watch incredible magic happen right at your table—for FREE!
🃏 Amazing close-up illusions, card magic, and interactive entertainment.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun for families, friends, couples, and guests of all ages.
🍽️ Included with your buffet—no tickets, no extra charge!

🍽️ Enjoy Nanaimo’s favourite Chinese buffet while experiencing live table-side magic—only at Driftwood!

🍽️ Every Bite Matters.At Driftwood Chinese Buffet, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of freshly prepared dishes for ev...
07/26/2026

🍽️ Every Bite Matters.

At Driftwood Chinese Buffet, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of freshly prepared dishes for everyone to enjoy.

But every day, we also see something heartbreaking — plates of perfectly good food left behind.

Food doesn’t just appear on the buffet.
It represents the hard work of our farmers, fishermen, suppliers, chefs, and service team. It also uses valuable resources like water, energy, and time.

❤️ Here’s how you can help:

🥢 Take a little at a time.
🍴 Finish what’s on your plate before getting more.
😋 Come back as many times as you’d like to try different dishes.
🌎 Together, let’s reduce food waste and care for our planet.

At a buffet, you can always go back for more—but food that ends up in the garbage never gets a second chance.

Thank you to every guest who helps us protect our environment and respect the food we serve.

Take what you love.
Finish what you take. 💚

🍲 What is Malatang? (Mala Tang)If you’ve never tried Malatang, you’re in for something special!Originating in Sichuan, C...
07/15/2026

🍲 What is Malatang? (Mala Tang)

If you’ve never tried Malatang, you’re in for something special!

Originating in Sichuan, China, Malatang (pronounced Mah-Lah-Tahng) has become one of Asia’s most popular comfort foods. The name literally means “numbing and spicy hot soup,” but today’s Malatang offers much more than just spicy flavors.

At Driftwood Chinese Buffet, we’ve created our own signature version that’s perfect for everyone—from adventurous food lovers to first-time visitors.

🥬 Here’s how it works:

1️⃣ Choose Your Ingredients
Pick your favorites from our fresh ingredient bar:
🥬 Vegetables
🍄 Mushrooms
🥢 Noodles
🦀 Crab sticks
🥟 Fish balls
🥬 Tofu
…and more!

2️⃣ Choose Your Size
✔ Small
✔ Large

3️⃣ Our Chef Adds Premium Proteins
Every bowl is freshly prepared with:
🥩 Beef
🐑 Lamb
🍤 Shrimp
🐟 Fish

(If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, just let us know!)

4️⃣ Freshly Cooked to Order
Everything is cooked in our exclusive Golden Family Signature Mala Broth, simmered fresh just for you.

5️⃣ Customize Your Flavor
Finish your bowl your way with our self-serve sauce station featuring 10 delicious condiments.

Whether you like it mild or with a little kick, we’ll make it just right!



🌶 Why People Love Malatang

❤️ Fresh ingredients you choose yourself

❤️ Cooked fresh—never sitting under heat lamps

❤️ Rich, comforting broth

❤️ Fully customizable

❤️ Fun, interactive dining experience

Every bowl is unique because you create it.



🎉 Coming to Nanaimo!

📅 Launching July 15, 2026

🕟 Dinner Only
4:30 PM – 8:00 PM

📍 Driftwood Chinese Buffet
4711 Rutherford Rd.
Nanaimo, BC

Come discover why Malatang has become one of Asia’s favorite comfort foods.

Choose it. Cook it. Love it.

💥 Keep the savings going ALL year long at Driftwood Restaurants! 💥Become a Driftwood VIP Member for just $20 annually an...
06/29/2026

💥 Keep the savings going ALL year long at Driftwood Restaurants! 💥

Become a Driftwood VIP Member for just $20 annually and enjoy exclusive perks every time you dine 🍜🥢

✨ VIP Membership Includes:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 10% off Discounts for up to 8 people in your party
📅 Unlimited use throughout your membership period
🍽️ Valid for dine-in buffet service

One visit can practically pay for the membership — and the savings keep coming back all year long! 🙌

⚠️ Please note:
VIP discounts cannot be combined with other offers and are not valid on special event dates including New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year week, Christmas Eve, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day.

Ask your server how to become a VIP on your next visit! 🎊

More pics in the post!

🍻👔 CELEBRATE DAD AT DRIFTWOOD THIS FATHER'S DAY! 👔🍻This Father's Day, treat Dad to a feast he won't have to grill himsel...
06/13/2026

🍻👔 CELEBRATE DAD AT DRIFTWOOD THIS FATHER'S DAY! 👔🍻

This Father's Day, treat Dad to a feast he won't have to grill himself! 💙

Join us on Sunday, June 21st, from 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm, for our special Enhanced Father's Day Dinner Buffet — featuring even more of the delicious seafood and buffet favourites we're known for.

✨ Here's what to expect:
🍤 7–8 additional featured items added to our already abundant buffet
🦀 Fresh seafood favourites you know and love
🍽️ Even more variety and flavour for the whole family
💥 All at our regular dinner buffet price

More seafood. More variety. Same great value.

Father's Day is all about spending time together, sharing a great meal, and celebrating the dads, grandpas, stepdads, and father figures who make a difference every day. We're here to help make it a memorable evening.

🔥 Available for one night only:
📅 Sunday, June 21
⏰ 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm

📞 Early reservations are greatly appreciated.

🥡 Planning on takeout? Please place your order in advance whenever possible to help us serve everyone efficiently.

Bring the family, bring your appetite, and let us do the cooking while you celebrate Dad. 💙

🌸 Celebrate Mother’s Day at Driftwood Restaurants 💐✨This Mother’s Day, we’re turning up the flavour and celebrating Mom ...
04/28/2026

🌸 Celebrate Mother’s Day at Driftwood Restaurants 💐✨

This Mother’s Day, we’re turning up the flavour and celebrating Mom the way she deserves — with something truly special. 💛

Join us May 8, 9 & 10 for our enhanced dinner buffet, created just for the occasion 🎉🥢

✨ Here’s what to expect:
🍤 7–8 additional featured items added to our already abundant buffet
🦀 Fresh seafood favourites you know and love
🍽️ Even more variety and flavour for the whole family
💥 All at our regular dinner buffet price

More to enjoy. More to share. Same great value.

Because Mother’s Day is about gathering, celebrating, and making her feel appreciated — and we’re here to help you do just that. 💐

🔥 This is a limited-time Mother’s Day feature — don’t miss it!

📞 Reservations are highly recommended: 250-585-5386

Bring the whole family and treat Mom to a night she doesn’t have to cook, clean, or lift a finger. Just relax, enjoy, and celebrate together. 💛

🎈🥢 Love never fails! It’s Your Birthday — Let Us Treat You! 🎂🍜  Celebrate your big day with a FREE buffet at Driftwood R...
03/30/2026

🎈🥢 Love never fails! It’s Your Birthday — Let Us Treat You! 🎂🍜

Celebrate your big day with a FREE buffet at Driftwood Restaurant! Join us for lunch or dinner and enjoy all your favourite dishes, on us. 🍤🍚🥠

🎁 Birthday Perks:
✔️ Valid photo ID required
✔️ Complimentary buffet for the birthday guest only
✔️ Redeemable on your actual birthday

Bring your appetite and celebrate the Driftwood way — big flavours, great vibes, and a feast to remember! 🥳🍽️

📍 Available at participating locations
🚫 Not valid with other offers
📌 Dine-in only | Some restrictions apply

Reservations are recommended.

🎉

Address

4711 Rutherford Road
Nanaimo, BC
V9T5S5

Opening Hours

Monday 10:30am - 9pm
Tuesday 11:30am - 9pm
Wednesday 11:30am - 9pm
Thursday 11:30am - 9pm
Friday 11:30am - 9pm
Saturday 11:30am - 9pm
Sunday 11:30am - 9:30pm

Telephone

+12505855386

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