Staten Island might be a million miles away from where your grandmother grew up and learned dishes she later served up to you, but if you want to get some grandma-approved love on a plate in NYC, head to Nonnas of The World.
Don’t let the Italian name fool you. While there’s no shortage of perfect pasta, the menu at Nonnas of the World is as diverse as the women behind the stoves, featuring everything from Sri Lankan curries to Peruvian stews, Egyptian stuffed vegetables to Japanese comfort food.
Since opening in 2007, the restaurant has evolved from a purely Italian kitchen into a rotating celebration of cultures from nearly every continent (if there are any grandmas from Antarctica reading, now’s your time to shine!).
What started as a heartfelt tribute to family tradition has grown into an international phenomenon (thanks in part to a hit Netflix film in 2025). But at its core, Nonnas of the World is still about the same things it was on day one: sharing warmth, nostalgia, and the universal language of home-cooked food.
Let’s take a peek behind the curtain at one of the coziest (and coolest!) backstories in New York City dining.
Nonnas Of The World: A Slice of NYC History
Grandmothers aren’t just great cooks, they’re often wonderful storytellers, so let’s channel our inner Nonna as we go back to the origins of Nonnas of The World. Unfortunately, the story begins with an ending.
In 1999, homestyle-chef and beloved nonna to Joe Scaravella sadly passed away, leaving an empty void where there were once huge, traditional Italian family dinners.
In memory of his Nonna and to fill the empty space at the table, in his heart and his stomach, Scaravella came up with an idea. What if he could get the local Italian grandmothers to serve up their delicious food in a restaurant? He named it Enoteca Maria, and the Nonnas quickly dusted off their aprons and started serving up their family-favorite recipes.
It was a huge hit, not least because the food was incredible. The Nonnas did more than feed people: they finished up in the kitchen and came out to the dining tables to chat with customers and even give them the best gift a nonna can: hugs.
The success inspired Scaravella to broaden his ambitions and invite grandmothers from other cultures to come to his kitchen and serve up their traditional dishes. From 2015 onwards, Enoteca Maria went from exclusive Italian to grandmother-led global culinary rotation and the rest, as they say, is history.
How It Works: The Nonnas' Magic
Stomach rumbling? Mine too. Nonnas of The World hits that sweet spot of nostalgia, comfort and unpretentious food that makes you feel like any problem has a solution.
More than that, it’s a reminder that no matter our background, heritage or upbringing, there’s one thing that unites us all: a grandma somewhere wants us to eat just a little bit better, a little more, and rely on her in our hour of need.
If you were to take a peek behind the scenes in the kitchen of Nonnas of The World, you’d find a rotating roster of real grandmothers, each cooking beloved family recipes from all corners of the world.
The best part is, the grandmothers actually get to work side-by-side and learn from each other. Together, they serve up dishes from Japan, Peru, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Greece, Turkey, Trinidad and more, depending on the roster.
And don’t worry, just as the name suggests, if you’re really in the mood for homestyle Italian, there are two kitchens: one for global grandmothers, the other for classic Italian nonnas.
Atmosphere & Experience
Stepping into Nonnas of the World feels less like entering a restaurant and more like being welcomed home, whatever that might mean to you.
For me, it’s the feeling you get when you know that you’re about to eat a little too much without regrets, and that the conversation is going to be almost as wholesome as what’s on your plate.
The space itself is warm and intimate, filled with the scent of simmering sauces and fresh herbs drifting from the twin kitchens: one devoted to traditional Italian fare, the other to the rotating “Nonnas of The World” menu.
If you take a sec to tune out of the bubble at your table, you’ll hear the hum of distant conversations, clinking glasses, and bursts of laughter as the nonnas emerge from the kitchen to greet guests.
There is one downside to this wholesomeness, though: the restaurant follows its cozy, unhurried ethos into its opening hours and it’s only available Friday through Sunday with timed seatings. As you might expect, tables are taken up weeks in advance, so you’ve really gotta plan in advance!
In the Spotlight: “Nonnas” on Netflix
There’s a high chance you’re reading this because you’ve watched the Netflix Dramedy Nonnas.
If you didn’t already know, in May 2025, the heartwarming story of Enoteca Maria and its founder Joe Scaravella made the leap from Staten Island’s St. George neighborhood to screens worldwide with the Netflix dramedy Nonnas.
Starring Vince Vaughn as Scaravella, the film is a fictionalized but deeply inspired retelling of how one man’s grief turned into a global kitchen run by real-life grandmothers.
Nonnas quickly claimed the No. 1 spot on Netflix in the U.S., introducing millions of viewers to the restaurant’s unique concept. The movie’s release triggered a wave of attention—Scaravella reported hundreds of voicemails from eager diners within days, and reservations spiked as fans from across the country plotted trips to Staten Island.
Practical Details
If Nonnas of the World has found its way onto your must-visit list, a little planning will make your Staten Island trip even more rewarding.
How to Get There:
You’ll find Nonnas of The World directly across from the St. George Theatre and a short walk from the Staten Island Ferry terminal (super handy!).
Opening Hours:
Open Friday through Sunday only, with timed seatings to ensure each dining experience is unhurried and personal.
Payment:
The restaurant is cash-only, so bring bills. There’s an ATM nearby, but planning ahead keeps the evening smooth.
Reservations:
Strongly recommended, often weeks in advance, especially since the Netflix Nonnas spotlight. Book early to secure a table for the nonna whose cuisine you’re most eager to try.
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