With a chef-led menu, house-made pasta, a raw oyster bar, and a wine and cocktail program that’s earned national attention, our restaurant in West Village Chattanooga makes savoring the moment easy.
Easy Bistro & Bar originally opened as Easy Seafood in 2005 in a historic space on Broad Street. Owners Erik and Amanda Niel were just 26 and 24 at the time, driven by a shared passion for food and hospitality. The restaurant became a creative space where Erik explored French technique and local ingredients, always with a focus on seafood—a style that remains central to his cooking today.
Nearly two decades later, Easy Bistro has grown into one of Chattanooga’s most beloved restaurants. Now located in the heart of West Village Chattanooga, the space reflects our evolved identity: stylish, warm, and designed for sharing good food.
Our menu moves away from traditional courses and embraces a shareable experience. With guidance from our chefs and servers, guests can mix small and large plates to create a meal that’s collaborative and completely their own.
Raised in southern Louisiana, Erik grew up surrounded by people who cared deeply about food. Fishing on the bayou taught him to respect ingredients and understand flavor from the source. That philosophy still shapes his cooking.
Erik studied business at the University of Texas at Austin before attending Johnson & Wales Culinary School in Vail, Colorado. After moving to Chattanooga, he worked at Southside Grill and St. John’s, where he developed his own approach to food and hospitality. In 2005, he and Amanda opened Easy Bistro & Bar. In 2014, they also took over Main Street Meats, which they transformed into another Chattanooga favorite. Their latest endeavor, St. Elmo's Little Coyote, opened in the fall of 2023.
Erik has twice been named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast.
Amanda’s background in hospitality and business is just as essential to Easy’s identity. Raised in Chattanooga, she comes from a family of entrepreneurs and developed a strong work ethic early on. While completing her degree, she worked in fine dining—where she met Erik—and later held a business role in New York before returning home to help launch Easy.
Today, Amanda oversees operations, marketing, events, HR, and the guest experience at Easy Bistro, Main Street Meats, and Little Coyote. Her vision continues to shape what Easy feels like.
Easy Bistro is proud to call West Village Chattanooga home. This revitalized corner of downtown is one of the city’s most walkable and charming destinations, lined with art installations, boutique hotels, and elegant restaurants.
A few steps from the Westin Hotel and the twinkling lights of Chestnut Street, Easy Bistro fits right in with the neighborhood’s relaxed, upscale energy. Whether you’re visiting from out of town or looking for a weeknight spot that still feels special, West Village makes the perfect backdrop.
