There are many restaurants in Pennsylvania that embody the term “unique,” but there are far fewer that make a claim of being “the only restaurant in the world” to offer a specific experience. Mangia! Italian Restaurant is one that makes that bold claim.
The restaurant is located in Mohnton, just a few miles south of Reading in Berks County. Mangia celebrated 15 years in business in 2025, no small feat in today’s restaurant scene. The family also expanded their business to include a brunch spot — Cafe Folino — in nearby Wyomissing in 2024, and they will add a second Cafe Folino location in 2026.
On a cold Friday evening in January, when we would otherwise have no reason to venture out, we headed to Mangia to meet my mother-in-law for a family dinner.
It was around 5 p.m. when we arrived, and there were plenty of tables available. (With a two-year-old in tow, we like to eat early.) Guests continued to trickle in over the next hour until the main dining room was nearly full. An additional seating area is beyond a half-wall at the back of the dining room and is usually reserved for large parties or overflow.
For the most part, Mangia offers a standard menu for an Italian restaurant and pizzeria, but there is a corner of the menu marked “Tableside” that sets Mangia apart…