“Nonnas” Ending, Explained: Does Joe Save the Restaurant and Where Does He Stand with Olivia?

Nonnas is a heartwarming story about love, cooking and family.

The Netflix movie, which is based on a true story, follows Joe Scaravella (Vince Vaughn) as he quits his day job to open an Italian restaurant, Enoteca Maria, run by four “nonnas” in Staten Island. Joe spends his savings to start the restaurant as a way to honor his late mom and grandmother.

Joe enlists the help of Gia (Susan Sarandon), Roberta (Lorraine Bracco), Antonella (Brenda Vaccaro) and Teresa (Talia Shire), but it’s not all smooth sailing, since they all come from different regions in Italy. The four women clash on more than one occasion over their contrasting backgrounds, and at certain times, it feels like they won’t be able to make their dynamic work.

Along the way, Joe also comes face-to-face with a former flame, Olivia (Linda Cardellini), who is grieving the loss of her husband while also fighting feelings for Joe. By the end of the movie, viewers see if the fledgling entrepreneur can pull off his new business and if he ends up with Olivia.

Bracco told PEOPLE in May 2025 that the cast had a lot of fun making the movie. “We love each other. We ate together,” she said. “I mean, food is love. A friendship is love. Family is love. And I really hope that people walk away feeling that.”

So, how did Nonnas end? Here’s everything to know about Enoteca Maria’s fate.

Warning: Nonnas spoilers ahead!

How does Nonnas end?

Throughout Nonnas, Joe has to overcome a myriad of challenges while trying to start his new Italian restaurant, Enoteca Maria.

After struggling to obtain a permit, trying to unite the four nonnas and calculating high overhead costs, he opens Enoteca Maria. However, their challenges are far from over, as Joe quickly discovers that he’s having trouble building a loyal customer base.

He learns from his friend Bruno (Joe Manganiello) and Bruno’s wife, Stella (Drea de Matteo), that Staten Island locals are avoiding his restaurant because they think Joe is using their Italian culture as a way to stand out. Meanwhile, non-locals are avoiding the place because the concept of four grandmothers cooking for them feels odd.

Joe ultimately tries to save the restaurant by begging a popular food critic Edward Durant (Campbell Scott) to review it. Edward refuses to meet with him on such late notice, but Joe still tries to persuade him by reminding him of the heartfelt message of the restaurant.

At the end of the movie, Joe and the nonnas decide it may be time to close their doors for good, and they host a goodbye party with friends and family. However, unbeknownst to Joe or the four cooks, Edward felt compelled by Joe’s message and sent another food critic to secretly review the restaurant. The following day, Joe finds out that the writer loved Enoteca Maria and published a positive story. The glowing review gives Joe another chance to succeed.

In addition to the positive story, Joe’s message of celebrating loved ones and Italian cultures finally makes its way throughout the Staten Island community, and the locals come to love the eatery.

The final scene shows Joe looking at his restaurant while also getting visions of his late mother and grandmother working alongside the four nonna chefs and realizing that he was able to honor both of them.

What happens to Joe Scaravella?

Joe Scaravella, who is based on the real-life restaurant owner of the same name, was able to revitalize and save his restaurant, Enoteca Maria.

Throughout the film, Joe tries to spread the message that eating at a restaurant is all about spending time with loved ones and creating lifelong memories together. Joe opened Enoteca Maria to put that message into action, but he faced resistance from both locals and fine-dining critics who were confused by his idea of having four Italian grandmothers cook for them.

After thinking he couldn’t persuade locals or a popular critic to visit his restaurant, Joe seems to accept that his restaurant failed. However, after he sees the positive review and turnout from the Staten Island community at the closing-down party, he appears more determined than ever to continue running Enoteca Maria.

The final scene of him seeing his late mom and grandmother seems to signify that he will do everything he can to not let the restaurant slip away from him again, and that he wants to make them proud.

What happens to Enoteca Maria?

Enoteca Maria, which is a real restaurant with the same concept in Staten Island, finally sees success at the end of the movie.

While the film doesn’t totally show Enoteca Maria’s future and whether or not it will be a success, it ends on a hopeful note with Joe smiling at his business. The positive restaurant review and the heartfelt message both contribute to a renewed sense of interest in the Italian eatery.

Do Joe and Olivia end up together?

While the film centers around Joe and his business, it also includes a possible love connection between Joe and Olivia (Linda Cardellini), his high school crush, whom he asked to prom but ditched at the last second.

At the beginning of the movie, the former friends run into each other unexpectedly in Staten Island, and Olivia tells Joe that she recently lost her husband and is still mourning his death. Joe, who has always had feelings for Olivia, focuses on rebuilding their fractured friendship and apologizes to her for skipping out on their high school prom.

To make up for ditching her all those years ago, Joe recreates their high school prom and tries to woo her. However, he’s also aware that Olivia is still grieving the loss of her husband, so he waits for her to let him know when she’s ready.

At the end of the film, Joe notices that Olivia has moved her wedding ring from her left ring finger to her right, signifying that she may be willing to move on and give her former high school crush another chance. The two finally share a kiss at the end of the movie and seem to start a romantic relationship.

Read the original article on People