Princes Wharf Oyster Festival

Devour the best of the Bluffies at Auckland's annual Princes Wharf Oyster Festival.

Bluff oyster season kicks off on March 1, with Auckland’s Princes Wharf all set to be transformed into a deliciously decadent Bluffie-lovers extravaganza.

Scheduled to take place throughout the month of March, oyster-lovers will be treated to a series of freshly-shucked events at Euro Bar and Restaurant, The Culpeper, Coley & Punch and The Crab Shack.

Nourish Group Executive Chef Gareth Stewart will kick off this year's festivities, making his annual trip down to Bluff to help harvest the first commercial catch of oysters.

“It’s always one of my highlights of the year,” says Gareth. “I’m crazy about oysters and Bluffies are the best of the best. Going out on the boat to help bring in the first haul really makes you appreciate how much work is involved in harvesting them and why they are such a treat.”

Back home in Auckland, Stewart and his team will be shucking furiously to keep up with demand for the bivalves.

“Treating these beautiful oysters with respect is paramount for me,” says Stewart. “I’ll be keeping it simple with the menu items, just letting the fantastic flavour shine through. And I’ve no doubt that many of our diners will be enjoying dozens of Bluffies simply freshly shucked with just a squeeze of lemon and Tabasco – my favourite way to eat them.”

From all-you-can-eat oysters to bargain-priced Bluffies served fresh by the dozen, live music, entertainment, masterclasses and more – consider yourself spoiled for choice.

This year's Princes Wharf Oyster Festival event line-up includes:

1. The First Haul: All You Can Eat Bluff Oysters at Euro
Where: Euro Bar & Restaurant
When: Friday, March 2, 12pm–3pm, $195pp, Euro.

Be among the first in the country to tuck into new-season Bluffies at Euro’s all-you-can-eat extravaganza. Oysters will be served natural, kilpatrick and tempura. Menu includes kaimoana platters. See here to book.

2. Great Bluff Lunch
Where: Euro Bar & Restaurant
When: Thursday, March 15, 12pm–3pm, $250pp.

Live the high life at Euro and indulge in an afternoon of free-flowing champagne and five delicious oyster-filled courses. Crayfish and whitebait will also star on this A-list menu. See here to book.

3. The Oyster & Music Festival
Where: The Culpeper
When: Saturday, March 24, from 12pm

This is one oyster event you can't afford to miss, with the first 200 dozen oysters served free! There’ll also be an oyster shucking competition, with DJs Phoebe Falconer and Kate Elliot on the decks throughout one action-packed afternoon. Be sure to book a table and secure your spot. See here to book.

4. Bluff Meat Beer
Where: The Culpeper
When: Thursday, March 14, 6pm until late, $65pp

The guys at Panhead beer will host this celebration of beer and oysters, with three courses (including a ½ adozen Bluff oysters per person) matched with some of Panhead’s finest brews. See here to book.

5. Whisky and Oyster Master Class
Where: Coley and Punch
When: Tuesday, March 20, 6pm until 8pm, $120pp

Learn while you imbibe at this deliciously educational evening. Mixologist Katie Cramphorn will guide you through tasting some of the world’s finest whiskies, while Te Matuku Oyster farmer and Gareth Stewart will instruct you in the fine art of oyster shucking. See here to book.

A little something extra...

Euro calls your Bluff: Diners can enjoy a dozen oysters for $29.95 at Euro. Available 12pm–3pm, Sunday to Wednesday, throughout March.

Rosé of the day: Grab half a dozen oysters and a glass of rosé for $25 at Euro, Coley & Punch, and The Culpeper. Available any day during March.

Bluff Oysters and Champagne: Enjoy a dozen Bluff oysters with two glasses of Louis Roederer Champagne for $80, or make it a bottle for just $155, at Coley and Punch, Euro or The Culpeper. Available any day during March.

Beer and Oysters: Glass of Panhead beer with ½ dozen Bluff oysters for just $25 at The Culpeper. Available any day during March. Numerous other events, plus drink and dining specials, are on offer during the oyster festival and tickets are currently on sale for all events.

For bookings and further event details, visit eurobar.co.nz, theculpeper.co.nz and coleyandpunch.co.nz.