Shanghai City Restaurant, Nanaimo

Nanaimo has its fair share of Chinese buffets, and if you ask a local which one they prefer, chances are they’ll mention the Shanghai City Restaurant (tel. 250/756-9368), #215 – 2000 Island Highway at Brook’s Landing. It’s in a strip mall facing Departure Bay Road, near the corner of Brechin Road to/from the Departure Bay ferry terminal.

The Shanghai City is best known for its buffet of Cantonese and Szechuan dishes, with up to 110 items to choose from in the evening. The lunch buffet runs from 1130-1400 Monday to Saturday ($9.25). Sunday brunch is from noon to 1400 ($10.95). The dinner buffet lasts from 1630-2030 daily, costing $13.25 Monday to Thursday, $14.25 Friday to Sunday, and $14.95 holidays.

Szechuan cooking is notably spicy, and hot black pepper sauce pork chop ($11.95) is a specialty. Seven more Szechuan-style dishes are on the menu ($10.95-$11.95), and the chow mein is prepared 15 different ways ($6.50-$11.95). Ice cream comes with every buffet, and at night you’ll find Nanaimo bars on the counter.