Driftwood Restaurant Port Alberni (Golden Dragon)
Driftwood Restaurant Port Alberni, formerly Golden Dragon, serves fresh, hand-crafted Chinese food and is famous for its All-You-Can-Eat Buffets.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
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Driftwood Restaurant Port Alberni (Golden Dragon)
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Driftwood Restaurant Port Alberni, formerly Golden Dragon, serves fresh, hand-crafted Chinese food and is famous for its All-You-Can-Eat Buffets.
Avoid peak times
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid long waits and enjoy a less crowded buffet experience.
Try recommended dishes
Opt for signature dishes like Wor Won Ton or pan-fried shrimp for a truly flavorful experience.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Chinese
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+1 250-724-4032
Address
5023 Johnston Rd, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 6G4, Canada
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
All-You-Can-Eat Buffet
A diverse spread of fresh, tasty Chinese dishes with something for everyone. Great value for money.
Signature Wor Won Ton Soup
A highly recommended and flavorful soup that's a consistent favorite among diners.
Friendly Atmosphere
The restaurant is known for its clean environment and a welcoming, friendly staff.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Avoid peak times
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid long waits and enjoy a less crowded buffet experience.
Try recommended dishes
Opt for signature dishes like Wor Won Ton or pan-fried shrimp for a truly flavorful experience.
Consider a la carte
If you prefer personalized portions, ordering a la carte might be a better option than the buffet.
Tips
from all over the internet
Avoid peak times
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid long waits and enjoy a less crowded buffet experience.
Try recommended dishes
Opt for signature dishes like Wor Won Ton or pan-fried shrimp for a truly flavorful experience.
Consider a la carte
If you prefer personalized portions, ordering a la carte might be a better option than the buffet.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Driftwood Restaurant offers a mixed bag of experiences, with many praising the fresh buffet and friendly service, while others have encountered significant issues like undercooked chicken or hair in their food. The value for money is often highlighted, especially for groups, though some feel the quality has declined or is inconsistent, particularly with delivery orders.
"Delicious Chinese food! We enjoyed the buffet and would have loved a few more options. The chow mein could use a bit more flavor, but overall, everything was fantastic. The staff was incredibly friendly!"
Mathew D
"I brought my family here as I’ve always enjoyed in the past.
This time, I was completely disappointed and really disgusted.
We came in on a Friday afternoon at approximately 1 PM, there was literally next to no food in the buffet, so I asked the waitress and she said they were making it.
So I tried a couple shrimps, a spring roll and the wonton soup, I was definitely not impressed with the wonton soup.
My partner grabbed a couple shrimp as well and pork balls. Needless to say there was barely anything there so we didn’t have much on our plate, but we tried a few things as we were waiting for the food to come out.. we were really hungry and looking forward to this buffet.
Personally, I was waiting for the chicken wings, which was the first thing that came out, so my partner and I got up and got a nice plate of chicken wings, he literally bit into his and blood came gushing out, just as I was biting into mine same results minus the gushing, All the waitress said was “chicken is hard to cook” I had to leave the restaurant and go for a walk, it was mind-boggling that someone can serve chicken like this and think it’s OK.
They charged us $70 for a buffet that we never got to enjoy, I tried calling the owner and asking for a refund, the owner wouldn’t even talk to me on the phone. He/she ? had the waitress do it. offered me a $25 gift card & and stated that they didn’t charge us tips, so here I am leaving this review in hopes that nobody else has to go through this because it’s absolutely disgusting not worth a penny.
I’m very glad that I went back in to get my son while he was in the washroom after I left to get a picture of the chicken that you guys feel is OK to serve to your customers
We won’t be back and we will be sharing this review by mouth as well."
Tanya Therrien
"If you are driving to Tofino, this is a nice place to stop by. We have been here for buffet before and was impressed. There was no buffet today, so we ordered from the menu, and it is good for the most parts lots of fresh veggies and protein. Cantonese style. Favourite are the Cantonese chow mien and sizzling beef"
Betty Xing
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The Wor Won Ton soup is a highly recommended signature dish, along with pan-fried shrimp. The All-You-Can-Eat buffet also offers a wide selection of fresh Chinese cuisine.
While the restaurant is known for its buffet, some reviews indicate it might not be available on all days or times, with menu options also being a good choice.
Yes, the restaurant offers a la carte ordering from the menu, which some diners prefer for more personalized portions.
The restaurant is well-equipped to handle large groups, with some reviews highlighting positive experiences with bus tours and group events.
Some diners have reported issues with undercooked chicken, hair in food, and a perceived decline in food quality, especially for delivery orders.
While tipping is customary for good service, some guests have reported uncomfortable experiences with servers pressuring them to tip, stating it should be voluntary.
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Driftwood Restaurant in Port Alberni offers a delightful dining experience blending comfort and sophistication. Known for its warm ambiance and attentive service, it provides a diverse menu featuring fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Whether you're in the mood for classic Canadian dishes or innovative culinary creations, each plate is crafted with care.
A Foodie's Guide to the Alberni Valley
Address: 5023 Johnston Rd, Port Alberni Contact: (250) 723-8641 | Website Authentic & delicious Chinese cuisine. Affordable prices make our restaurants a natural choice for dine-in or take-out meals on Vancouver Island.
Food & Beverage
DRIFTWOOD RESTAURANTS (formerly Golden Dragon here in PA) is a chain of Vancouver Island-owned restaurants featuring fresh, hand-crafted Chinese food, local beers and we’re famous for our All-You-Can-Eat Buffets.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit