Mangia Qui is Italian for Eat Here. Chef John McLaurin and his wife, Cheryll, pondered names for their restaurant if the opportunity ever presented itself. In 2015, the opportunity came, and Mangia Qui Italian Bistro was born.

Chef John started in the restaurant business at age 16 and was still washing dishes. Over the years, Chef John began to develop a passion for worldly cuisines.

At age 19, Chef John was invited to apprentice with Chef Federico Desantis, executive chef and owner of Federico's Italian Eatery, a Virginia Beach local favorite for over 2 decades. There, Chef John developed a diversified culinary skill set that has brought him to where he is now.

While at Federico's, Chef John met his lovely wife, Cheryll. She spent over a decade working at Seaside Health Center at Atlantic Shores as a Certified Dietary Manager/Senior Caregiver.

Mangia Qui Italian Bistro focuses on cooking authentic Italian-American cuisine with personality. We make everything in-house as possible, including fresh bread, mozzarella, salad dressings, soups, and more.

Mangia Qui does not use any high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated fats or preservatives. We also utilize local farms and artisans for the freshest ingredients seasonally. All dishes are made fresh to order. If there is something you'd like that's not on our menu, just ask, and we would be happy to create you something as long as we have the proper ingredients.