Yes. Netflix’s Nonnas is inspired by Joe Scaravella and Enoteca Maria, the Staten Island restaurant he opened in 2007 to honor his mother and grandmother. Its central idea—grandmothers cooking and sharing family recipes—is real. The movie’s plot and its women characters, however, are fictionalized rather than direct biographies of the restaurant’s original cooks.
What is the true story behind Nonnas?
Joe Scaravella opened Enoteca Maria in 2007, after the death of his grandmother Domenica. Netflix’s account says he missed her home cooking and built the restaurant around the idea of grandmothers preparing the food they knew from home. The restaurant also honors Scaravella’s mother, Maria, whose name appears in its title. Netflix Tudum’s feature on the story and TIME’s May 9, 2025 reporting describe the real-life inspiration.
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Scaravella had worked for New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority and, according to TIME, was effectively holding two jobs while launching the restaurant. The film turns that premise into a story about grief, family and keeping culinary traditions alive, but its dramatic events should not be read as a documentary record.
How closely does the movie match real people?
Vince Vaughn plays Joe, but the movie’s leading nonna characters are fictionalized, inspired by women in Scaravella’s life rather than one-to-one portrayals of specific cooks. TIME identifies the restaurant’s original cooks as Carmelina Pica, Adelina Orazzo and Teresa Scalici. They are featured in Scaravella’s cookbook Nonna’s House, which profiles grandmothers who cooked at Enoteca Maria.
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The real-life inspiration is therefore strongest in the founder, restaurant and cooking concept; character relationships and plot details belong to the film’s dramatization. Netflix lists Nonnas as a 2025 PG comedy, directed by Stephen Chbosky and written by Liz Maccie. Its listed cast also includes Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, Linda Cardellini, Drea de Matteo, Joe Manganiello, Michael Rispoli and Campbell Scott. Netflix’s title page provides the film’s official listing.
For a closer look at the real cooks, Scaravella’s Nonna’s House is a related read; TIME says it profiles grandmothers who cooked at the restaurant. It is not established as a movie tie-in.
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What is Enoteca Maria, and where is it?
Enoteca Maria is a restaurant on Staten Island, near the ferry terminal and St. George Theatre, according to TIME’s May 2025 feature. TIME described it then as having 35 seats; that is a dated report, not a guarantee of current capacity or operating details.
The concept began with Italian regional cooking by grandmothers and later expanded to include cooks and food traditions from elsewhere. In a May 4, 2025 report, CBS Sunday Morning named Greek, Japanese, Spanish and Egyptian cooking among the restaurant’s offerings. TIME described rotating menus and, during its visit, noted Mexican, Uzbek and Greek menus being prepared for a particular weekend. These are examples reported in 2025, not a current menu.
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Scaravella described the idea to TIME as a cultural exchange: “This is not a restaurant,” he said. “It walks like a restaurant, smells like a restaurant, talks like a restaurant, but it’s not a restaurant. It’s a cultural exchange.”
What does the film get right about the restaurant?
- The restaurant and its founder: Joe Scaravella opened Enoteca Maria in 2007 on Staten Island.
- The reason behind it: The restaurant honors his mother Maria and grandmother Domenica, and grew from his wish to preserve the comfort and traditions of family cooking.
- The cooking premise: Grandmothers sharing their regional and family food traditions is the real restaurant’s defining idea.
- The distinction from the movie: The film’s nonna characters are fictionalized; they should not be treated as biographies of Pica, Orazzo or Scalici.
Is Enoteca Maria still operating, and how can you visit?
TIME reported in May 2025 that reservations were made by phone and that Scaravella did not want to use reservation apps or delivery platforms. Those details can change, so check directly with Enoteca Maria before traveling or trying to book. Menus, availability and restaurant operations should likewise be confirmed close to a visit.
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