Locust

But the answer should be going for a life-changing lunch or walk-in dinner at Locust, an ever-changing and difficult-to-reserve spot in 12 South that serves Japanese, Irish, and British food. It’s run by a chef who used to lead the kitchen at The Catbird Seat, so it’s no surprise that something as simple as a curry potato chip or a single slice of bread can make you emotional here. The exact menu on any given day is unknown, but here's our general advice: Order everything.

12 SouthThere are few things more interesting than a really talented chef with an obsession. Trevor Moran fits both those criteria, and he’s turned his fascination with creating the perfect dumpling into a winner of a restaurant that was named the best in the country for 2022 by Food & Wine magazine. You could write the menu on a matchbook, but every single item is worth your attention.

A seasonal, seafood-forward restaurant in Nashville’s 12South neighborhood. Why we love it: In a neighborhood overrun by chain restaurants and retailers, Locust stands out with its tightly curated menu and vibey atmosphere. Helmed by co-founder and head chef, Trevor Moran, Locust is a darling of the food scene in Nashville.

At Locust, chef Trevor Moran created his own culinary genre blending influences from Japan to his native Ireland. I’ve eaten briny Belon oysters that tasted—pleasantly—like licking a battery; a roast sole served with morels and uni; and a bowl of tiny sea snails served with toothpicks and spicy salt. The DIY beef tartare handrolls—freshly ground bottom round, fluffy rice, and smoky pickled egg cream, plus freeze-dried capers and nori for rolling—are a must, as is the tuna crisp, featuring house-cured slices of tuna loin and belly atop a fried wonton crisp slathered with horseradish.

Learning to make Kakigōri, Japanese shaved ice treats, became Chef Trevor Moran’s obsession, which ultimately led him to create Locust, his little dumpling and shaved ice shop with the big reputation. The variations are endless, but consider feathery shaved and sculpted ice folded with passion fruit curd and white chocolate custard encased in a dark chocolate shell, or almond milk cream draped over shaved ice striped with warm salted caramel as two of our top contenders. (2305 12th Ave. S., 615-205-3737; locustnashville.com)

We’ve already told you about Locust, Trevor Moran’s new 12South dumpling and noodle emporium, but I’m happy to speak of it again. Since opening in October, the neighborhood has definitely taken to Moran’s current carryout-only model, but we’re all waiting until he can offer full service and leverage the talents of general manager and sake sommelier Kynsey Hunter who wowed us during her stints at Two Ten Jack and The Green Pheasant. Only better things lie ahead for Locust, and they’ve already been pretty damned fine so far!

A minimalist restaurant with a buzzy, refined atmosphere, an incomparable experience and gorgeously presented food, it's no wonder that reservations at Locust are claimed within minutes (or seconds) of going up on their website each month. Locust specializes in dumplings and kakigori (Japanese-style shaved ice), but they also serve beef tartar, shrimp toast and oysters. The atmosphere is relaxed, upscale and fun, whether you come for lunch or dinner.

Open since 2020, we can certainly consider Locust a pioneer of this recent boom. They’ve experimented with different service structures over the years, and currently, they’re offering lunch Friday through Sunday (reservations required), dinner on Saturday and Sunday (reservations required), and a casual late-night service on Sundays (reservations NOT required). The menu at Locust is short, with every single dish executed deliciously.

I’ve gotten into the habit of following restaurants on Instagram for a while before I commit to going, and this has turned out to be a smart thing to do — I end up with lots of great tips on what to order when I go and how to order it. Case in point: Locust, the weirdest and most wonderful restaurant I visited in 2021. Locust crossed my radar after I noticed that several of my favorite foodies on Instagram kept mentioning it.

Since opening in 2020, Locust has gained an impressive national reputation. Located in 12 South, it's owned by chef Trevor Moran who worked at Noma in Copenhagen for four years before moving to Nashville to take on the role as executive chef at Catbird Seat when the property first opened. His newest endeavor is a concept that has inspired a lot of attention.

Locust is an award-winning a la carte reservation that can be tough to snag. Reservations open on the first of every month and fill up quickly, so plan well in advance to experience Trevor Moran’s rotating menu of dishes like raw razor clams, build-your-own beef tartare, steamed dumplings, and kakigori. Lunch is a little easier to book.

Locust operates out of a low-slung, Scandinavian-inspired restaurant in 12 South, hinting at the food inside. Renowned chef Trevor Moran, who formerly cooked at The Catbird Seat, offers a “focused menu” of Dim Sum and kakigori (Japanese shaved ice). While the menu is limited, it’s ever-changing and perfectly executed.

Chefs showcase their art through seasonal ingredients and imaginative flavor combinations. Trevor Moran, the head chef, is a James Beard 2024 Semi-Finalist. The setting, marked by minimalist decor and thoughtful service, complements the exquisite culinary experience, making it a standout in Nashville’s dining scene.

In an unsuspecting venue, you’ll find a high-end and exclusive restaurant serving a variety of creative takes on Asian cuisine. Locust is available by reservation only, but well worth the wait. This elevated restaurant serves unique and modern renditions of Asian-inspired dishes in a cozy and intimate environment.

Locust is located in 12 South Nashville and offers yummy roasted oysters with chili butter, crazy delightful steamed or crispy dumplings, noodles, and deserts. The coolest part might be the “prepare your own chewy noodles with spicy sauce” option. It comes in a build-your-own kit.

On Saturday night, we decided to head to Locust for a fine-dining experience after a show at the Zanies Comedy Night Club. Locust felt upscale and intimate with its reservation-only policy. The atmosphere was classy and subdued, thanks to the small tables and emphasis on service.

Locust deserves every accolade it gets (think “Bon Appetit,” “Food & Wine,” and multiple James Beard Foundation) and not just for its impeccable dumplings, shaved ice, and Toki highballs. The place is utterly unique. An Irish fine-dining chef (Trevor Moran) making flawless…

On Saturday night, we decided to head to Locust for a fine-dining experience after a show at the Zanies Comedy Night Club. See alsoPopular American Steakhouse Chains, Ranked. Locust felt upscale and intimate with its reservation-only policy.

Among competitive go-to food spots from heavy-hitting cities like Los Angeles and Chicago sits 12 South's small but mighty 36-seat Locust, where the chefs recently announced they were done with traditional dinner service.

2305 12th Ave SNashville, TN 37204(615) 205-3737 Visit Website Open in Google Maps. The long awaited Locust, a dumpling haven, finally made its debut on 12th Avenue in 2020.

- Rating: 4.5/5 (163 reviews)- Price level: $$$$- Address: 2305 12th Ave. South Nashville, Tennessee - Categories: shaved ice, noodles, seafood- Read more on Yelp