Fresh Sushi & vibrant FOOD + DESIGN
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville sits squarely in the middle of Tennessee, nearly 500 miles from the nearest coastline. That geographic reality makes sushi sourcing a genuine challenge — and it's exactly why the gap between average and excellent sushi here is so wide.The best Nashville sushi restaurants — and Little Octopus in particular — invest heavily in sourcing. It means tighter relationships with trusted seafood suppliers, more frequent deliveries, and a stricter commitment to freshness over convenience. It also means a menu that changes with what's actually available and excellent, not just what's easiest to stock.For Nashville diners near The Gulch, Wedgewood-Houston, SoBro, or the Medical Center corridor, the difference between a plate of fish that was frozen two weeks ago and one that arrived fresh is immediately detectable. That commitment to sourcing is the foundation of everything we do at Little Octopus.
Little Octopus is the latest restaurant from POP and Otaku South. Little Octopus is a modern neighborhood restaurant serving flavors from everywhere, ingredients from here, and options for everyone. Carnivores, celiacs, vegetarians and vegans alike can enjoy a meal at Little Octopus.
"Voted top Nashville Sushi spot by Restaurant Utopia!
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History About Little Octopus in Nashville, Tennessee
Little Octopus opened its doors in East Nashville in mid-2015 as a pop-up inside the POP Nashville space on Gallatin Avenue. Created by Sarah and Brad Gavigan — the couple also behind the beloved Otaku Ramen just steps away in The Gulch — the restaurant quickly developed a loyal following drawn to its clean, Caribbean-inspired flavors and genuinely welcoming atmosphere.In January 2017, Little Octopus moved into its permanent home at 505 12th Avenue South in The Gulch, taking over the space formerly occupied by Ru San's Sushi. The new space gave Chef Daniel Herget room to fully realize the restaurant's vision: a modern neighborhood restaurant serving flavors from everywhere, with ingredients from here, and options for everyone.
Chef Herget's culinary perspective was shaped by his North Florida upbringing, training at Johnson & Wales University in Miami, and years cooking throughout that city's vibrant food scene. Combined with Sarah Gavigan's Los Angeles sensibility, the result is a uniquely Nashville restaurant that feels like nowhere else in Music City.We're not just a sushi restaurant in Nashville. We're a neighborhood institution.
OUR NAME - The Little Octopus
In short, The Little Octopus is Sarah Gavigan, owner and Chef. A nickname given to her when she was young by her mentor for “always having her tentacles moving and always changing colors.” That notion formed who she is, a deep love of the animal itself and the ethos of the restaurant today.Featured In
Nashville Guru - https://nashvilleguru.com/42072/little-octopus
Eater Nashville - https://nashville.eater.com/2019/1/2/18165082/bar-otaku-opening-little-octopus-closing
Only in Your State - https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/little-octopus-tn/
Architect - https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/little-octopus_o
2017 AIA/LA Restaurant Design Award
Specialties of Little Octopus
Fresh clean vibrant food served in shared plates that is vegetable driven, seasonally focused, locally sourced and latin inspired. Much of our food is naturally gluten free and vegetarian, with dishes for even the most dedicated carnivore as well.
Vendors helping make Little Octopus the best it can be!
