Enjoy lobster chowder, wood-fired clams at this popular Pierce County Chowderfest
Chowderfest is returning to Gig Harbor this year, featuring the city’s maritime heritage and waterfront dining scene.
The annual event kicked off last year with twelve local restaurants serving different types of “hot chowder for the cold season,” The News Tribune reported. This year, there will be 11 restaurants serving chowder or chowder-themed dishes, along with other businesses offering drink and dining specials to Chowderfest participants.
Also new this year is a trivia card collection challenge: Chowderfest ticketholders can collect 36 cards with fun facts about Gig Harbor by visiting all 29 participating dining and retail locations.
The event will be hosted March 8 by The Gig Harbor Waterfront Alliance.
“The idea for Chowderfest came from a photo I saw at the Harbor History Museum of a chowder celebration marking the opening of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge,” Waterfront Alliance Executive Director Carrianne Ekberg told The News Tribune via email. “It sparked the idea that chowder could be a perfect way to celebrate something uniquely Gig Harbor.”
Tides Tavern marketing coordinator Michael McManus told The News Tribune via email that the restaurant is excited for the return of Chowderfest. They’re offering a lobster corn chowder this year, a change from the New England-style clam chowder they served last year.
“We chose lobster corn chowder because of its rich, comforting flavors that pair perfectly with the chilly (and possibly rainy) weather and the overall vibe of the event,” McManus wrote. “Additionally, we’ve seen a great response to our other lobster dishes . . . we wanted to create a luxurious offering, showcasing the fresh, high-quality lobster in this delicious, creamy chowder that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser.”
Tickets for the event, which includes tasting tickets, went on sale for $30 each on Jan. 27 at www.ghdwa.org/chowderfest. They sold out last year.
The News Tribune reached out to restaurants and reviewed a draft of the event details from The Waterfront Alliance to learn what each will be serving, subject to slight changes:
- Anthony’s Gig Harbor (21+): House clam chowder, New England-style.
- Brimstone PNW: Irish chowder, with smoked razor clams, smoked salmon, Brimstone bacon, leeks, carrots, baby potatoes and herbs.
- Brix 25: Spring carrot and rabbit chowder, with confit rabbit, pearl onions, baby carrots, potato chips and carrot top salad.
- Devoted Kiss: House clam chowder, New England-style.
- El Pueblito Mexican: Chipotle cream chicken tortilla chowder.
- Gig Harbor Thai Cuisine: TBA
- Gourmet Burger Shop: Corn chowder with smoked salmon.
- Millville Pizza Co: Chowder-less wood-fired clams and Andouille sausage, with cherry tomato, sweet yellow onion, fresh thyme, butter and chili oil.
- Morso Bistro (21+): Long Island-style seafood chowder (gluten-free).
- NetShed No. 9: House clam chowder, New England-style, with clams, bacon, onion, potato and cream with rustic croutons on top.
- Tides Tavern: Corn chowder with lobster.
There will also be several locations offering drink and dining specials, available only to those with an event wristband:
- 7 Seas Brewing: Special pricing on select pints.
- Anthony’s Gig Harbor: Happy hour 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. in the Shoreline Room.
- B’s Bagels & Butters: Complimentary house-made Lavender Lemonade. They also plan to offer a bacon and potato gratin bagel with red Manhattan salmon chowder cream cheese.
- Brimstone: Happy hour 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Appetizers and discounts on select drinks.
- Brix 25: Happy hour 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Appetizers, wine, cocktails all on special.
- Love of Spice Wine Bar: Offering spritz, wines from Spain, Italy and France and mocktails.
- The Galley @ 7 Seas: $5 slider with fries, $6 cheeseburger slider with fries.
- Gig Harbor Brewing (21+): TBA
- Heritage Distilling: $5 cocktail with purchase of 750 ml bottle and specialty cocktail.
- Hidden Harbor Wine Library: Live music from 4-6 p.m. and a discount on wines
- Millville Pizza Co: $15 wood-fired clams with Andouille sausage.
- Windermere Gig Harbor: Complimentary hot cocoa bar and hydration station.
The retail trivia card locations are:
Cougarwear, 7700 Pioneer, #202
CURATED, 7807 Pioneer
Direction Apparel, 3026 Harborview
Dolly Mama, 7700 Pioneer, #103
Fox Island Trading Co, 3226 Harborview
Fox Island Vintage Adventure, 3226 Harborview
HARBORNEST, 3311 Harborview
One:11 Clothing, 3104 Harborview
Tickled Pink, 3102 Harborview
Ties that Bind Gift Shop, 7805 Pioneer
Chowderfest goes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check-in is at the Gig Harbor Visitor’s Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event kicks off Restaurant Week 2025 from March 9-16, a week of special offerings from Gig Harbor’s downtown waterfront restaurants.
This story was originally published January 25, 2025 at 11:08 AM.
