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My recent meal at Locust in Nashville may have been my favorite dining experience of the past year... and perhaps longer. Every dish we enjoyed at this 2025 Michelin-starred spot was spectacular! The techniques and presentations are highly elevated, yet it all happens in an airy and fun room, with cheerful staff working right in front of you in the open kitchen, and rock music softly adding to the energy in the background. Just look at these fantastic dishes from Trevor Moran, a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast in 2023 and 2024... (see photos)... *** Scallop, Yellowtail, Green Apple - With Umeboshi and Black Currant, finished with Conpoy Cream Sauce, Parsley Oil, and Caper Leaf Oil. *** Grilled Yellowtail Collar - Glazed with Aromatic Soy, Horseradish *** Beef Tartare - With Rice, Smoked Egg Creme, and Freeze-Dried Capers. Build Your Own Handrolls! *** Lamb Blanquette - With Fluffy, Foamy Butter Sauce and In-House Lamb Coppa *** Crab Omelette with Curry Rice -- Dungeness Crab, Soft Rice, Curry Sauce *** Tuna Salami - From their Charcuterie Program *** Sweet Razor Clams - With Onion Puree and Peanut Oil *** Potato Bread and Butter - Sound boring? It's not! *** Shaved Ice --Earl Gray Cream and Raspberry Powder on top, and Creme Brulé Cream at the bottom. Dotted and Layered with Honeycomb Candies and Mochi. I'm not a "dessert person" but we'd heard about their famous Shaved Ice, and it lived up to (and beyond) all the praise. Fun watching it prepped right in front of us. Insane! Service was exceptional... one of our best experiences anywhere. We sat right by the expo station and had many nice conversations with FOH and BOH staff alike. Our server Alexa, FOH wizard Kenna, and the entire staff were just wonderful, before, during and even after our special meal. I can't wait to return! Thanks to all.
Dining at Locust means dining with indulgence. Every dish is well thought out, and it showed with the presentation, the taste, and the order in which they brought each item out. They started us with their fresh seafood -- the razor clams first, then oysters. Different flavor profiles but both very fresh and clean. It was then proceeded with their beef tartare. The beef tartare was an experience in itself with instructions on how to make your own roll. We were then presented the yellowtail dish which we ordered with the grilled yellowtail collar. That grilled yellowtail collar is my Roman Empire with its unforgettable rich umami embedded on every surface of that dish. They then transitioned us to their heavier dishes starting with the potato bread and butter, and the crab omelette with curry rice. I couldn't help myself. I used their potato bread to scoop up a portion of their very decadent crab omelette -- and that experiment paid off very well. It's probably one of the best egg sandos I've ever had. The lamb blanquettes were brought out next, and that dish sealed in my brain that we were eating at a Michelin starred restaurant. They were able to make these dumplings taste like a perfect Irish lamb stew. It was like a Willy Wonka moment where it shouldn't be possible, but Locust did it. And lastly our meal was concluded with their tea, ice, and raspberry dessert. Why not just stop with a good shaved ice dessert? The last bites of our dessert surprised us with these crunchy honeycomb and mochi pieces hidden at the bottom of the shaved ice. Yum! Thank you Locust for the great experience!
Amazing hospitality! Unconventional, inspired and innovative menu. Everything was delicious! The bread is like a toasted cloud . The tea/ice raspberry dessert is light, fun and very tasty. The yellowtail collar is fantastic! It's a must before the Michelin Star and remains a must-visit after earning the honor.
We enjoyed a delightful meal celebrating a friend's birthday at Locust in early January. The food is thoughtful and creative in a way that keeps things unique without feeling stuffy. For our party of four, the staff suggested we order the entire menu. I appreciated the idea in theory because it allowed us to try everything. Sadly, in reality, it was way too much food, even for the four of us. By the time the last few dishes came out, I was already full and couldn't enjoy them the way I wanted to. If I go back, I'd be more selective and order specific items I really want. Out of the dishes, there were a few I loved. The 'too much caviar' served with their potato bread and butter was indulgent and worth it. The beef tartare was eaten like a handroll, which made it fun in addition to the great flavors. The grilled fish collar was packed with flavor and one of my favorite dishes of the night, along with the grilled beef rib (melt in your mouth!). The salad that came out with it was too heavy in horseradish and I LOVE horseradish, so take that into account. Dessert was shaved ice with cream underneath. It was visually stunning and delicious. I'm giving three stars because of a few disappointments. First, the push to order the entire menu for four people. It was too much food. Second, one of the chefs accidentally spilled my husband's wine glass while presenting a dish. They cleaned it up quickly, which I appreciated, but there was no acknowledgement after that. No offer to do something for the mishap or even replace his drink with something off the wine by the glass list. We were drinking a 175 dollar bottle of sparkling, so I would not expect a full bottle replacement. Still, a small gesture would have matched the level of service I expect at this price point, especially for a table ordering the ENTIRE menu and an expensive bottle. Overall, good food and a worthwhile place to celebrate despite some low lights to our experience. However, when I stack this experience up against some of the other fine dining in the Nashville area, I wouldn't put it in the top.
Locust continues to be my most favorite restaurant in Nashville! I was lucky enough to score a lunch reservation there and it was a treat! I love the limited seating and the attention to detail you get from your servers. The menu has a few new items since I was there last, but everything is just delicious. They have a well curated drinks list. I opted for the beef tartare, razor clams, lamb dumplings, and the new crab egg & rice dish. Everything was superb! I also really appreciated the charcuterie with non-pork options. I also loved my seat at the restaurant where I could people watch while I enjoyed my meal. I love the neat and clean space. As always I can't wait to be back!
Hype is warranted. Couldn't get in for dinner during our trip, but I was able to book ahead for lunch and celebrated my birthday here. One of my best meals of 2025!! I tried: + Complimentary razor clams + Beef tartare (half portion) + Tuna crisp + Potato bread and butter + Peeled sungold tomatoes + Lamb dumplings + Shave ice with passionfruit curd Favorite dishes were the razor clams, tuna, bread and butter, tomatoes and shave ice. Tartare and dumplings were also fantastic. Loved that we were able to order a half portion of the tartare, because I was able to free up room to try more things!!
What an experience!! I'm already looking forward for the next trip back to nashville just for another meal. The menu is incredible, small but mighty. It's a must to basically get everything on the menu. Recommended going with at least 4 people. Reservations are VERY hard to come by so don't miss the window (my bedtime is typically 9:30pm.. and I went to an 8:15pm seating) The team is incredibly sweet. The open kitchen is a great space to watch them all in action.
I've been here a few times and each time, an UNBELIEVABLE experience. Yes, it may be the hardest restaurant to get a reservation at in Nashville, but it is gosh darn worth it. The restaurant is small and quaint but this adds to the hominess, which just gets brought home with how kind and friendly the chefs are. They literally come to your table, and always treat you like an old pal. We started off with two seaweed martinis which, unfortunately, we did not enjoy. I liked the IDEA, but they were much too strong and liquor-forward. SO kindly, our waitress comped them and brought us two glasses of wine on the house. Not necessary, but so sweet. This is the service that Locust prides itself on. We got lots of things that I won't fully explain since the menu changes so frequently. I also want to add that my father LOVED the tuna crisp that used to be on the menu, and so he always asks for it when we're here. We asked this time, and again, SO kindly, one of the chefs came out with complimentary razor clams for us. And not only that, but these were the BEST clams of my life. I can't even BEGIN to describe this delicacy. Other favorites were the risotto, which was the best risotto I've ever had in my life.
started off with the razor clams which were served raw, on the shell, but with a light mousse hidden underneath and a sprinkle of rock salt on top. deceivingly simple because that mousse was delicious and i have no idea what it is beef tartare was next. this course was basically a diy handroll and diners were encouraged to get in with their hands to create their perfect bite. the small bowl of rice had a layer of smoked egg cream (basically a house-made mayonnaise with spring onions mixed through) hidden inside and a thin slice of butter on top, adding a lot of rich fattiness and flavor to the dish. the most interesting element of the dish to me were the freeze-dried capers. the slight tang/briney-ness helped to balance the richness but also added an interesting texture to the bite. SO GOOD bread and butter was served next. a thick slice of brioche perfectly toasted and served with a potato butter. nothing to rave home about until the lamb dumplings that came shortly after. the chef personally came over to explain the dish and said he recommended scooping the leftover sauce (made from lamb bones) from the dumplings with the brioche. thought i was carb'd out after the rice, but after trying this combo, i really wanted another slice of brioche.
I've been waiting so long to post this review because it hurts me to give a 3 star when I really want to give a 5 based on menu and flavors alone. Although Locust has very creative, beautiful, and flavorful dishes, it is lacking a crucial part of service that separates fine dining from any run-of-the-mill food establishment. Although I can't be critical of the food I ate, I left feeling so disappointed and upset after my first dining experience here. For how much care and attention to detail paid to each dish, I would have expected to have been better guided by the wait staff in regard to the menu. For two people, we were encouraged to treat the entirety of the menu as a chef's tasting meal. Therefore we almost ordered every item minus a main course and one small bite - it was entirely too much food for two people. In addition, there was zero change of plates and silverware between courses despite the differences in flavor profiles from seafoods to sauces. If you're going to fancifully pour color-coordinating condiments over a dish to make it artful, PLEASE don't make me plate it over the remnants of my last course still on my thrice-used plate. By the time we received the famous tartare, we were pretty full and had no clean surface on which to place the nori sheets to construct the rolls. Though the restaurant was very dark, I noticed that the vessel used to bring our utensils was the same size as the nori sheet. I ended up selecting this rectangular mat to create my hand roll to avoid previous food particles contaminating my experience. I was approached by one of the staff who scolded my behavior and suggested that I would ruin the flavor of the nori because that silverware vessel -?- it was leather! I hadn't realized in the dark. My foodie husband and I have been to so many fine dining establishments, and have eaten obscure and surprising dishes in unconventional manners (think secret course accoutrements hanging in the artwork above our table at Grant Achatz's Alinea), but we have never been expected to reuse dirty tableware or figure it out; explanations are given down to the detail of how to eat the dish and fresh utensils and serving vessels provided to enhance each new course. Although I do remember the tartare being one of the best I've ever tried, I didn't enjoy it because embarrassment had me wanting to die in that moment. In addition it honestly did have a slight leather flavor after the blunder. Please consider providing clean dinnerware after particularly messy courses and especially before important ones like the tartare. Maybe I'll have the courage to try again one day, but for now I'll search elsewhere for excellent tartare.
Locust is an experiment in what happens when a 3 Michelin star restaurant Sous Chef lands in a city where food tradition is only being born. Trevor Moran, the Sous Chef of Copenhagen's Noma, created a place so experimental that it's difficult to comprehend the concept and describe what it is. Is it Japanese Shaved Ice? But that's only the dessert. Is it Dumplings? Well, on many days, there are no dumplings. Is it something else? It certainly is, it is absolutely something else and that something is phenomenal. The seemingly casual nature of the establishment blends with ability to interact with the chefs while being positioned in a beautiful sauna like, delicate wood adorned space. There are true delicacies like the abalone and a side cup of mushroom broth. There is the make your own nori with flavor rich beef tartare. There is the dessert with a deep orange egg from chickens who were fed chilis. There is a signature tuna crisp. And if all of that is not enough, the restaurant boasts a wine list at retail prices instead of a restaurant 2x to 3x up charge. Describing Locust is a challenge, yet one should expect deep enjoyment and a focus on the human touch.
All I can say about Locust is that it never, and I do mean, NEVER, disappoints. From the service to the kitchen Chef Moran and his team deliver. I've been a customer since the first opening, when they were service delicious dan-dan noodles in a carton with instructions on how to eat them, to their as of late Michelin Star-- which I am pretty sure is for the dumplings and the beef tartare with caviar alone, but I digress--if you are swinging through Nashville and can get a reservation in advance, it's worth it, just order the menu, it's short, sweet, and fantastically creative.
This place is an experience. It has very limited seating and offers and very intimate experience. The servers and chefs are very attentive. The chef came over to talk to us about the menu and answer any questions we had. The food was all great. This is not a cheap meal by any means. But they are using the best ingredients. The beef tartar was again my favorite dish. The actual streak we had was amazing as well. Just amazing flavor and quality meat. The lamb dumplings were my least favorite. The flavor was just not for me. the dessert is great. I'm not much of a dessert person but their dessert is so unique and good. It starts with a base of shaved ice. Then had a cream on it and some type of crumble inside. It's a flavor and texture experience. This place is great for a special occasion.
5 months ago
2 years ago
I've had a lot of good meals in my life, great meals, life altering food I shall never forget. But during my travels to 79 countries and all seven continents, I've been lucky to have a few culinary moments that were much mere than meals, they were an experience. A Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking the French Riviera outside of Monaco, a 15-course meal in a Japanese ryokan in the shadow of Mount Fuji, and yes, lunch at Locust in my own backyard! The critical acclaim, the James Beard nomination, the honor of best new restaurant in the United States, notching a spot on America's best restaurant lists in both the New York Times and USA Today, all that hype is backed up by a five-star meal with superb combinations of flavors, meticulous culinary creations, and tremendous attention to detail. Even the way the chefs methodically clean the open kitchen speaks to a higher calling, a dedication to absolute perfection. It's almost impossible to put into words what I experienced at Locust, a secretive restaurant in a nondescript building amongst the popular spots of the 12 South neighborhood. You'll find no signage other than small yellow lettering on the door if you know where to look, the gateway to an exclusive club that anyone can join. There isn't a sign board displaying the daily specials or someone beckoning passersby to give them a try. Their bare minimum website is a no-frills window into this opportunity. But Locust doesn't need gawdy signage, or publicity, or a slick website. Because the only way to get here is to have done your research, studied up on Nashville's greatest dining experience, and made your mandatory reservation well in advance with a $100 down payment intended for those who are serious about snagging that coveted table for precisely 1.5 hours on one of the three days they're open! Their reputation speaks for itself. And running just over $150 per person including tax and tip, this is far more affordable than similar experiences I've had around the world. And when they recently ditched their dinner menu in favor of only offering their famous dumplings, when one reader asked why Locust retorted "Why not?". This is not your typical eatery by any stretch of the imagination. And Nashville is truly lucky to have Irish chef Trevor Moran - from the world's most heralded eatery Noma (Copenhagen) - gracing our city with his culinary genius, creating unimaginably clever collections of flavor and texture. It's difficult to describe the experience of Locust's ever-changing menu. Just imagine placing ground beef tartare, sticky rice with a delicate horseradish, and dried capers on seaweed, rolling it up, and savoring a mind-bending amalgamation of flavors. Picture an enormous mushroom the size of your fist with a light tempura batter that even this self-professed mushroom hater devoured with enthusiasm. Imagine a foamy soup with large bits of seafood and crisp cheesy potatoes in a rich broth like you've never tasted before. Attempt to comprehend a tower of finely shaved ice heavily dusted with an intense raspberry powder with delicate flecks of shaved sea salt impossibly balanced atop a thick cream. And then you bathe the remaining shaved ice with a caramel cookie flavored sauce that hardens into brittle bits of sugary magic. This is only a glimpse into what you'll experience at Locust. And I concur with the experts that it is easily the best restaurant in town. read more
I'm so sad that I didn't like this place! We came for lunch and ordered the tuna and beef tartare roll up to start. They were both too fishy for my liking. Next we got the bread which was good and the fish that was again too fishy. I will say the service was fantastic and the staff there is very engaging. I really wish I liked the food more because I was so excited to come here! I assume the dumplings are amazing but they are only on the later night menu as of now.... read more
On a college student's budget, Locust might initially seem a bit pricy but I do think the experience you get is worth it (maybe for a special occasion?). Though the menu at Locust is small, it's actually for the best--every dish they have on the menu is prepared with care and is something they've spent time perfecting. I visited Locust in January with three others and we ordered most of the menu at the time. Some highlights: Complimentary sea snail tea at the start of the meal--I've never had a drink with quite the same flavor and though it wasn't a hit for everyone at the table it's definitely worth trying. Marzipan: The star of the lunch--this dessert is delicious and I'd come again just for it. Highly recommend ordering this as it seems like it's a fixed item in their menu. read more
2 years ago
Legendary Steamed dumplings传奇蒸饺 Locust Steamed dumplings reached the peak of perfection. Delicious and unparalleled. It can be said that it is the best among human dumplings. Steamed dumplings are exquisitely carved. Like a peerless beauty draped in a veil like mist, covering her peerless appearance. The dumpling wrapper is as transparent as a cicada's wing, and is crystal clear. It is almost as thin as the thinnest Japanese "washi" in the world. Japanese "washi" is only 0.02 mm thick. The hidden green and soft white interweave to create a rich and dense meat filling, but one can only smell the fragrance of the meat without seeing its shadow. The rich broth in the dumpling filling reminds people of the endless brilliant scenery of spring, and also brings the coolness of summer like a shy girl. The production process of first-class Steamed dumplings is extremely exquisite ，which shows the superb skills of top masters. Music Chef Genius音乐厨师天才 Trevor Moran, the head chef of Locust restaurant and music genius, has served as the deputy head chef of NOMA, the world's No 1 restaurant, and the head chef of The Catbird seat, among other extremely dazzling world--star roles，and has been praised and loved all over the world. In 2020, Trevor Moran founded Locust. Dinner focuses on Steamed dumplings, a precise and focused business positioning. In September 2022, Locust was named the Best Restaurant of the Year by Food and Wine magazine and was selected for the New York Times Restaurant List for 2022. In January 2023, Trevor Moran was nominated by the James Beard Foundation as the Best Chef in America。 The touching legend of dumplings 饺子的感人传说 "Dumplings" originated in Nanyang, China during the Eastern Han Dynasty in 1840. It was first created by Zhang Zhongjing, a famous medical sage in ancient China, and has a history of 184 years. Zhang Zhongjing, with his compassionate heart of loving the people, invented dumplings to treat people's illnesses and won a lasting reputation. Dumplings have been passed down to this day and are a classic staple food that more than one billion Chinese people must eat during the New Year. They represent happiness for the entire family, festive reunion, and good luck. Music Culture of Steamed dumplings 蒸饺的音乐文化 Trevor Moran, who graduated from the music department, with his passionate musical talent and over 20 years of interdisciplinary and treasure trove culinary experience, has planted traditional Chinese cuisine dumplings like seeds in the elegant and romantic city，city of gastronomy，and Music city， Nashville，Tennessee. Every night when the dumplings are on stage, the rock music of Locust Restaurant accompanies the steaming dumplings and the enthusiastic shouts. The freedom and innocence of everyone in the restaurant play the most powerful core force of Nashville, the music city. The steamed dumplings in Locust closed their eyes and opened their arms, their souls immersed in the dual nourishment of music and cooking, and quickly grew into towering trees one after another; the magnificent canopy and dense shade nourished the life taste of the entire city and even the entire world. Trevor Moran traveled all over the world, from Ireland to Denmark and then to the United States. His rich and diverse transnational life experience allowed him to perfectly combine his two talents of music and cooking. This perfect combination of talents provided him with an inexhaustible source of material for thought. With this, he created a dumpling culture that soared to the top of the world，integrating its uniqueness into the musical universe of rock. He is rooted in the fertile land of music in Nashville and has creatively transformed the dining trend in Nashville. He created the city of music in dumplings, the country of dumplings in music. read more
1 year ago
If you are in Nashville, I highly recommend this restaurant. Not only was the food extremely tasty, but the service was also excellent. They include gratuity on the bill and there is nowhere on the receipt for you to tip. I wish I had brought cash because I would've tipped a little more. After all, the service was so great. read more
In my short two day trip to Nashville, I feel so very lucky to have been able to grab a last minute lunch reservation at Locust. I saw their limited menu and appreciated the craft the dishes had. Beef Tartare: Seriously life changing for me. I was so surprised by how soft the meat was. The seaweed was also very high quality and crisp. The rice looked like it could be deceiving my dry or stale, but actually it has a nice bite and crunch to it. At the very bottom was a sauce which I believe comprised of Japanese mayonnaise and either wasabi or horse radish. It all came together very cohesively. Grilled mackerel: This dish was beautifully presented. They neatly butterflied the fish so there were no bones. Beneath we're really fresh and refreshing vegetables including green beans. I think this was a special so probably not always on the menu. Shaved ice: The only option was the black tea and raspberry. The raspberry was a very fine powder on top so it blended well with the shave ice. I wish they added a little more sugar like condense milk to the ice, but if you work more towards the bottom you're met with some other flavors like honeycomb. Overall a nice way to end the meal! read more
6 months ago
6 months ago
Delightful lunch at Locust with exceptional service, adventurous menu items and entertaining experience. I've been anticipating going to Locust for years and finally got the opportunity and it didn't disappoint. It was hard to determine what to get so having Chef Stu actually come to each table and explain the menu was so helpful and engaging. We started with a glass of wine with a first course of "too much caviar" (Beluga!) that paired nicely with the beef tartare and potato bread & butter. The beef tartare was playful and fun to create our own rolls and little caviar on top was delicious. The dried capers provided a salty crunch to accompany the tender beef. The collar was also extraordinary with the grilled flavor and perhaps a teriyaki sauce. The shaved scallops in the sauce were exceptional. The sweet razor clams appeared plain but had an interesting flavor I couldn't identify - some sort of citrus perhaps. The lamb dumplings were decadent and were very rich in flavor and sauce. We were way too full to order dessert, but the server kindly brought us one "one the house" because she didn't want us to not be able to experience it. As she said, "I won't tell you what's in it. It needs to be a surprise. I suggest you go and be surprised! You'll be glad you did! We'll be back! read more
6 months ago
Set some reminders on the 1st of each month at 10am to score a reservation here!! We were immediately greeted by the staff as we walked in and the servers were incredible to make an upscale dining experience feel incredibly chill and fun. (Bomb music playlist too) We started with razor clams that looked like boogers, but were probably my favorite dish of the entire meal. They even gave us a crab dip with curry chips on the house! Then got to build our own beef tartare hand rolls which EVERYONE recommended and it did not disappoint. We could watch our chef from the table make the best handmade dumplings and finally enjoyed the most insane truffle risotto with potato bread. We finished it off with a dessert that I was truly shocked to find out how delicious shaved ice could be. 10/10 experience!! read more
Wow where to start... this place was INCREDIBLE. Really fun, young, energizing vibe/ambiance. The chefs take turns dropping off dishes. All of the chefs were really cool and took time answering our questions. It's the kind of place you go to where you essentially order one of everything on the menu. Everything tasted so fresh, delicate, and... just TASTY. They do change their menu fairly frequently (or as one of the chefs put it - "whenever we feel like it"), so don't expect to have the same options other than some kind of dumplings, and some kind of shaved ice. This place was originally suppose to be just a dumplings and shaved ice place and then they expanded so I anticipate that some variation of those two items will always be included on the menu. This place was on the pricier side so unfortunately my husband and I probably won't go more than twice a year - but totally worth it and wouldn't change that if it meant lower quality food/experience. Can't wait to go back!! read more
I mean, what's to really say that hasn't already been said. Easily the best restaurant in Nashville. The tuna ham is a new item that is insane. This tuna is so tender and delicate and paired with a nice horseradish sauce on a rice cracker, it's one of the best things you could ever eat. The beef tartare is solid as always and super fresh. Paired with that yummy rice and aioli you can make incredibly tasty rolls. The dumplings are so delicate and delicious as always. Now they give vinegar sauce in addition to the chili oil so it becomes even better than before. The smoked clams are new and have a very creamy flavor. It's so delicious with the black garlic and panko dipping sauce! The clams come in a canned container and are so fresh and not fishy at all. The main turbot fish is insane. It is served "2 ways." First, they baste it in chicken stock and serve it whole. You eat one side before they take it back to make a 2nd dish. This first way was insane. Fish was so tender and juicy and fresh. Flavors explode and it is served with a horseradish sauce on the side. They took it back and prepared the remaining pieces in a beautiful butter based sauce and topped them with crab. Easily the best fish I've ever had. Incredibly creamy, buttery, and soft. The dessert is insane as always. So many textures and flavors from the salty and sweet caramel, the tart passionfruit, the soft whipped cream, the crunchy cracker, the brittle yet soft "snow." All amazing. read more
Locust is a phenomenal dining experience with quality food! It is a small restaurant located on 12th South's strip and I can't believe I've walked past this spot many times. The menu is very small and it rotates a lot with the ingredients that are freshly in season. The food here is incredibly fresh and detailed. Staff is super nice and they come to your table and tell you about each dish in detail, which made it a great experience! I recommend you to come with a few people and order a bunch of items and share. Beef tartare: amazing dish! The beef tartare is so fresh and it comes with rice and seaweed for you to wrap yourself and flavorful toppings sprinkled on top. Steamed pork dumplings: light dumpling wrapper which is so perfect because you don't want thick skin. The filling is pork and it comes with this chili oil. It is steamed right on point, not over cooked as you can see the dumpling skins don't break. Caramel Shaved ice: a literal cloud! The dessert was one of the best parts - it's shaved iced with meringue and caramel drizzle. They change up the flavor all the time but this was fantastic! This was a memorable dining experience with great food! read more
2 years ago
Calling all adventurous foodies! We had a fantastic meal at Locust this weekend! Food was fun, the staff was great and made it an experience more than a meal. Upbeat, busy environment but that made the experience. Pictured: - Grilled garlic oysters - Horseradish shot - Beef tartar hand rolls with caviar - Berkshire pork dumplings with chili oil - Crab omelette, bread and scallop butter - Thin shaved potato bread toast with melted coolea and nduja jam - Don't skip the shaved ice milk dessert read more
Absolutely love this place. We are local & have had it on the list to try, but just got around to it last week. Man, what a great restaurant. Love that the space is small & more intimate as I really do think it allows staff to give more time for providing guests with lovely service. All the staff kind of wears multiple hats and each person we encountered was kind & helpful. But most of all, the food is stupid-good here. Condensed, minimal menu with daily specials. Everything is in general, simplistic..but perfectly done. The dumplings are some of the best we've ever had (we ordered more as they are that delicious). They also had a whole dover sole special that was OUT of THIS WORLD. Shaved ice is light & again, just beautifully done. We ordered both options to try and truly couldn't pick a favorite. Very impressed & will be return customers from this point on. read more
2 years ago
Absolutely delicious, everything was incredible, they have the freshest oysters I have ever eaten and the razor clams were divine. The service was incredibly attentive, but also had a very laid back and chill vibe. Hands down one of the best meals I have had! Also the horseradish vodka was surprisingly delicious! read more
2 years ago
We stumbled on this spot and what a delightful surprise!!! Our drinks were so good, and the fish sandwich was the best fish I've ever eaten! I don't even normally like fish! Highly recommend reservations if you can because they book out a while for lunch. We went for dinner and there happened to be an open table! read more
5 years ago
Nope. Just stop what you're doing right now and make a reservation at Locust. I'm a big believer in good aesthetics. You eat with your eyes first. Locust gets it. They've elevated asian food to the next level - no, the next dimension. Steaming potstickers. Yuzu cocktails. Spicy cold noodles. Blue fin tuna belly??? I'm dead. The food is next level. But let me tell you about the service now. Our server, Tomas (the sweetest man!) was so full of energy and joy that I couldn't help but feel elated in his presence. He spoke with glee about the menu items and got us so excited about our food adventure. He is the epitome of what a server should be about. Well done with finding Tomas, good people. As a fellow small business owner I couldn't appreciate this establishment more. They get everything right from beginning to end. Take all my money, Locust! I'm. in. love. read more
3 years ago
A great experience overall. I would highly recommend the shaved ice dessert, the risotto special with uni and the crispy tuna. Beef tartare and oysters were pretty good too so I'll give those an honorable mention lol. Shrimp cake and dumplings were underwhelming, the sole was good but nowhere near worth $80 in my opinion. I'm glad we tried Locust but it didn't rock my world for the price point so we probably won't be back. The two friends we went with loved everything though and said they will be back so all a matter of opinion read more
Wow. What a special experience! Amazing! This restaurant was really an experience. The service was probably one of the best I've ever had- having the chef there to explain the menu was really special. It doesn't look high end on the inside (very simple and basic decor) but it truly felt like a high end experience. I don't even normally like beef tartare and that was my favorite item on the menu! Must try. Honestly everything was very tasty. Of course the price tag is higher but ingredients are high quality and service can't be beat! Would definitely come back. Recommend this spot for any intimate special occasion or nice date. read more
Where to begin....I mean, I think we are still in food ecstasy a week and a half later after having dinner here. Ok, let's start from the minute that we walked through the front door. Upon entering, we were greeted with a smile and a huge "hello" from the entire team. It felt like we were walking into an old friends home and most importantly, it made us feel like our old friend missed us dearly. Seriously, this set the evening. The ambiance was felt from the beginning, the friendliest, warmest person came to our table and offered us the menus for the evening and explained how things were done. Super nice and helpful. We orders a couple of cocktails while we decided what to order food wise. Drinks came and a second team member explained the food options. Well, it was hard not to order the entire menu but we almost did. Once in a lifetime opportunity here! The tuna cracker was definitely my favorite, what a statement and the preparation on it was phenomenal. We also ordered the beef tartare with warm rice and the nori sheets so we could make our own rolls. Love the hands on approach! We also shared the lamb dumplings and the smoked oysters. My husband thought he would be getting a smaller portion of the dry aged ribeye so he went for it. Well, let me tell you, this huge piece of decadent quality was perfectly medium rare cooked and they even offered the truffles, how absolutely nice of them. I mean, they covered the steak with them! Because I really wanted to try the shaved ice but could not get another bite in, I backed out before ordering it. Since they heard me say that I would have loved to have tried it, they brought it out anyways as yet another token of their generosity. Chef Trevor delivered some of our items himself and took the time to explain them. He was so down to earth and humble that it was hard to believe that not only him but his entire team was nominated as a James Beard Award this year and he had also worked at Noma, yes THAT Noma! All in all, fantastic experience. The food, the wine, the people! We left so full, not our stomachs and hearts. Wonderful experience! Please support this very talented team! read more
3 years ago
Everything was amazing! From the food, to the service, to the chefs... locust is truly a one-of-kind experience. Don't think twice and just make the reservation! This was into our second time here, but it was everything you'd hope for. If I had one thing to critique, it would've been that the music selection wasn't *my* personal taste, but that's purely it. We'll be back as soon as we can get another reservation! P.S. Please open another location in East. read more
5 years ago
This place is a gem. They have indoor seating and a cute little outdoor patio that is covered. You can easily make a reservation online. We got steamed dumplings, shrimp toasted, and shaved ice. The entire experience and meal was delicious and casual and fun. It is really reasonably priced too. read more
3 years ago
I'm not sure why anyone would care when I rate a restaurant 5 stars when it won best new restaurant from Food & Wine magazine, but here we go. This was my second time at Locust. Being a foodie who loves the experience and craftsmanship behind food, I adore this place. Disclaimer: if you aren't an adventurous eater and don't relish the pretentiousness behind the fine dining industry, then it's likely you won't enjoy Locust! Things that were amazing: -The beef tartare is a must order. I don't know how someone can make rice so delicious? And freeze dried capers will not be forgotten. -The long clam (I forget what it was called) was one of the most unique bites I've had. Comically phallic, but it's always fun to have a dish I've never encountered before. -Bone marrow donuts were surprisingly controversial, but I personally loved them. -The dessert is a must. Although eating an egg yolk was one of the more daunting bites I've taken (: -The service is quirky, all of the cooks are also waiters. I enjoy it because they are obviously well informed and interested in the food they're serving. -There's a special feeling of exclusivity when you eat here. You're lucky to have the reservation and be there with maybe only 20 other guests. Things that weren't amazing: -They don't do great drinks and they definitely don't have pairings. -The salad sucked. A disgusting amount of dressing turned me off and the 2 other people I ate with wouldn't eat it because they said it was too bitter. -I think their dumplings are totally mid. It's weird because they're the signature dish, but I suggest spending money elsewhere on the menu. -Because the cooks are also servers, they often don't have time to chit chat with guests. -There's nothing that stands out about the interiors of the restaurant. I guess this is a place really about the food, but I would love to spice it up to take this place up another level. -Last time I came here was July 2022. I was surprised that more than 6 months later the menu didn't have a ton of changes. read more
This place was recommended to us as a must try. The exterior of this restaurant is very unassuming. Once we walked inside of the restaurant we were greeted by just about all members of the staff. We've never felt more welcome at a restaurant. The open kitchen concept at this restaurant was excellent. We could see the chefs working seamlessly like a quiet, well oiled machine. The kitchen ran very smoothly and our dishes came out with just a little flawless timing. The flavors that we experienced with every bite were absolutely amazing. We joyful indulged in dish after dish of the culinary delights that were being produced by this kitchen. Pictures and words do not do justice to our experience here. This cool little place was neat and clean because all of the staff was constantly moving, cleaning and checking on us. I highly recommend this place to anyone who is in the Nashville area. read more
2 years ago
Finally made it to Locust for their a la carte lunch and it was an incredible experience! From the moment you walk in, you are greeted with the warmest welcome into the cozy space. You can watch the chefs creating fantastic dishes in the open kitchen & then they'll bring it to your table to tell you all about it. The food was so unique & tasty. The raspberry earl grey dessert was an explosion of flavor and the best way to end a phenomenal experience. This is a Nashville gem & I can't wait to go back! read more
2 years ago
Food - 9/10 - easily the best and most interesting food I've had in a while, flavors are very balanced and rather delicate, can't good most of the foods on the menu elsewhere. was quite pleased with the value for money as well. Service - 10/10 - highly attentive and more accommodating then you'd expect Ambiance - 10/10 - this is a nice spot to relax, so much so I came back the next day to try out their dinner! Wish this restaurant would move to my city (San Diego). It'd be my favorite place! read more
3 years ago
Easily the best meal I had in Nashville. Everything was absolutely exquisite. The service, vibe, and food were all amazing. The beef tartare hand rolls were unlike anything I've ever had and I dream about the shaved ice almost daily. Hope to land a reso next time I'm heading to Nashville. Definitely a must visit. read more
My husband and I have not been very pleased with the food scene in Nashville, since moving from California about a year ago. You can find good Americana but nothing more. This place blew our minds! Fresh, dynamic flavors, great service, dialed menu, and an overall amazing Asian fusion menu experience. A must have for anyone wanting a good experience unlike anything in Nashville. read more
2 years ago
Everything was beyond excellent. I always arrive happy and leave happier. The attention to detail; the creative menu perfectly executed. Sorry to gush. I just love everything about Locust. read more
2 years ago
I made a reservation here for 1 on a business trip and was treated so incredibly well. Once I was seated the server stopped by my table to explain the menu. The chef delivered each item to my table from the open kitchen that's viewable from the dining room and explained each dish he delivered. The dumplings were excellent I'm used to a traditional gyoza dipping sauce but all they provided was an chili infused oil. At first this was a disappointment but in truth the dumpling didn't need a sauce. The dessert was surprise and delicious! I ordered it thinking I'd have a few bites and leave the rest but I ended up cleaning the plate. Give hot chicken a rest and visit Locust when you're in town. read more
2 years ago
Incredibly unique experience! Everything we had was bursting with flavor! Reservations are not easy to come by, but be persistent in trying. The experience is well worth the wait! read more
4 years ago
I think Locust is the best restaurant in Nashville and it absolutely is at the top of my personal list of Nashville's restaurants. At this point, I can't even keep track of how many times I have been to the restaurant but every time continues to meet and/or succeed my already very high expectations. The food and flavors continue to mesmerize and are unlike anything I have experienced at other restaurants in Nashville and in many cities. The inside is lovely and cozy. Tables typically seat 2-4 (there may be a few that support more). You get full view of the kitchen, which is really cool. The music is eclectic and many days I have popped in, I have dined to rock and metal. And I can't go any further without talking about the food. Though they've put new menu items in the times I have gone, the classics like the dumplings and the tartare never disappoint. Out of the items they have released lately, the tuna ham crisp is my personal favorite. Melt in your mouth tuna ham with a horseradish sauce on nestled on top of a crispy cracker...it's to die for. Of course, while you're there, definitely ask about the specials. From what I have learned from talking with the folks there, they get very fresh fish...and it has never disappointed. Finally, you can't leave without getting their shaved ice dessert...I really can't properly describe just how it is...just get it. If you are this far and haven't booked a reservation yet, I highly urge you to do so ASAP. read more
3 years ago
This restaurant deserves every bit of hype and every accolade it has received. We got a reservation for 7pm on a Sunday, four people. Street parking around 12 South, you know the deal. We were seated almost immediately. A server came over and walked us through the drink options: a select few classic cocktails with a slightly original take. I had both the Irish and the Spanish gin & tonics. I prefer the Irish one, but they were both significantly more vibrant and delightful than the average gin & tonic. Time for food. Tuna crisp, dynamite. Beef tartare, absolutely delicious. It was fun to get hands-on making the tartare hand roll. Cod (off the menu, fish of the day) was seasoned beautifully, fried nicely & came with a dill mayo. Really neat & tasty. The lamb dumplings had an amazingly deep flavor. Tender, delicious, massively umami. Razor Clams, tender, flavorful, coated my mouth with a very yummy taste. Time for dessert. We got the shaved ice. Passionfruit & honeycomb (the whipped caramel kind, not honeycomb from a beehive). Sweetly cured egg yolk on top. Very delicious, but I'll be honest it was not quite as explosive as their other dishes. An off-the-menu dessert option - Canelé w/ blue cheese & salted honey. This was one of those bites I'll remember forever. Truly phenomenal bit of dessert. Powerful cheese (more salty than funky, but still a bit funky) tamed & sweetened by the honey & custardy pastry. The crunch from the caramelized exterior of the pastry brought the right amount of texture to the bite. This slapped. Big time. Service was awesome. We never had an empty/dirty dish on our table for more than 60 seconds it seemed. We always had water and never felt like we needed to flag anybody down. The environment was relaxed. Quite the range of music in the restaurant, but it was never obnoxious or irritating. The chefs are also the wait staff and they are very laid back & happy to answer any questions. Is it hard to get a reservation here? A little. Is it worth the trouble? Absolutely. Carve out the time, get a res, and commit to eating here. Expect the menu to have changed slightly. Expect to be very, very pleased. read more
2 years ago
Locust was an incredible experience. Each dish was its own star. The staff were incredibly helpful and made the experience even better. We can't wait to be back in Nashville to visit again. Don't miss this stop if you are in town. read more
2 years ago
I had an amazing experience! Everyone speaks to you when walk in and the ambiance is everything! The chef comes and explains the menu and the wine choices are great!! The service is very good! I can't wait to go back! read more
3 years ago
The food was amazing and the service was also good. The restaurant is also really clean and decorated. The most amazing dessert with a contrast of textures. Flavors include passion fruit, vanilla, cream, milk shaved ice, and honey cake. Sublime! read more
More info about Locust
Ask the Community - Locust
The menu looks so limited. Is the food filling? Don't want to spend $100 and walk away still hungry.
They have a bunch of specials each day. But yes, every time I have left, I was full and very, very satisfied! There were two of us and we got the 4 items on the menu, one special, and dessert. Enjoy! It's soooo worth it.
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Locust - shavedice - Updated May 2026
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