Niko's Southside Grill

Niko's Southside Grill brings a whole new element to downtown Chattanooga. Introducing to the public an entirely new concept of blending the flavors of the South with tastes of the Mediterranean, this elegant eatery features a daring menu, inviting atmosphere along with a full bar and great wine list.

The restaurant opened May 2007 at the corner of 14th and Cowart streets in the south side of town. Owner Nick Kyriakidis spent his formative years in the restaurant business working alongside his family. His first solo business venture was selling tomatoes at his father’s restaurant in New York.

In March 2007, Kyriakidis and his brother purchased the restaurant which would later offer an atypical experience in American/Greek cuisine. Chef Edward Lewis, a Chattanooga native, has worked in the food industry for more than 20 years, learning hands-on of different cultures of food. Today, his experience in the kitchen translates to innovatively delectable dishes at Niko’s Southside Grill.

The trendy décor gives guests a precursory visual treat upon entering the restaurant. The open, airy space creates a cozy bistro-like setting with wooden panels, uniformly-white tablecloths and black cloth napkins.

Once nestled into your chair and handed a menu, the journey begins. The entrée menu ensures that if you weren’t daring before, that you will be at this restaurant. The eggplant napoleon dish mixes that bold flavors of eggplant, spinach, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted vegetables, mozzarella cheese and feta. The braised Sequatchie Cove short ribs serve butternut squash orzo, stewed winter greens and pomegranate molasses.

Try the restaurant’s take on a burger, its farm lamb burger, served with arugula, tzatziki, feta, house-pickled shallots, Niedlov’s bun and Greek fries. The shrimp and “grits” entrée features its take on the traditional southern fare, with Vidalia onions, roasted peppers, Gulf shrimp, andouille, tasso gravy and roasted garlic polenta.

A taste from the dessert list, with items such as baklava cheesecake, seasonal cobbler and strawberry patch cake, in addition to a glass of your favorite wine brings your trip to Niko’s Southside Grill full circle.

HelloMetro Tip: On top of the completely satisfying meal, here’s something else to warm your heart in addition to your full belly: the restaurant supports sustainable seafood and local farming, bringing to each table fresh products for all to enjoy.

- by Leah M. Caudle , Chattanooga Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Leah M. Caudle

Leah Caudle is a professional storyteller with experience in covering local, community and feature stories. While at newspapers such as The Tennessean in Nashville and The Lexington Herald-Leader in Lexington, Ky., Caudle also has experience in shooting and editing videos and photos to accompany stories. The Western Kentucky University graduate received degrees in print journalism and Spanish in 2007 and also has expertise in the areas of public relations, copy editing and proofreading.