Where Nonnas Was Filmed: All the Locations of the Netflix Comedy Starring Vince Vaughn

Nonnas is not just a comedy, it is an invitation to travel: a journey through Italian-American cities, ancient flavors and handed down stories. Watching it, you have the sensation of crossing those neighborhoods, of smelling the aromas of the kitchens, of listening to the voices of the grandmothers who, with passion and irony, give meaning and warmth to the film. A work that makes you want to leave ... and maybe even cook. With Nonnas , available on Netflix from May 9, 2025, Vince Vaughn returns as the protagonist in a comedy with an authentic flavor, between food, family roots and intergenerational bonds.

Directed by Stephen Chbosky ( The Perks of Being a Wallflower ) and from a screenplay by Liz Maccie , the film is inspired by the true story of Joe Scaravella , founder of the famous restaurant Enoteca Maria in Staten Island, where grandmothers from all over the world take turns cooking, with an obvious predominance of Italians. But where was Nonnas actually filmed? The film starring Susan Sarandon , Brenda Vaccaro, Joe Manganiello, Talia Shire, Linda Cardellini and Lorraine Bracco is set in New York, but found its soul in the heart of New Jersey.

Where was it filmed?

Although the film is set in Staten Island, much of it was shot in New Jersey, in Bayonne, Linden, Paterson and the surrounding areas. The most important location in the film is undoubtedly the former Spirito’s restaurant, an institution that closed in 2020 and stood at 714 3rd Avenue in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Enoteca Maria, the emotional and narrative center of the film, was rebuilt here. With its colorful walls, family photos and the warmth of an old-fashioned trattoria, Spirito’s has become a cinematic symbol of Italian roots, authentic and alive. Many scenes were shot at 44 East 14th Street, in the area in front of Taqueria El Gallo Azteca at 75 Victory Boulevard in Staten Island and the ferry that connects this area with Manhattan was filmed for some establishing shots and suggestive panoramic views.

For the most iconic and visually striking scenes, the production moved to Paterson , the county seat and America's first planned industrial city, in the famous Great Falls National Historical Park. The majestic falls are the backdrop to the protagonist's moments of reflection, becoming almost a metaphor for the flow of memory and family history that Nonnas recounts with delicacy and humor. Known for its role in silk production in the second half of the 19th century, Paterson is also known as the City of Silk.

The streets of Hoboken, with their lively and authentic atmosphere, host some of the scenes of the protagonist's daily life. This town located on the western bank of the Hudson River, between Weehawken and Union City to the north and Jersey City to the south and west, boasts places like Basile's Pizza and the Sorellina coffee shop that become places of family meetings and exchanges in the film, helping to build the emotional fabric. For those who love travel cinema , Hoboken represents a perfect balance between retro charm and contemporaneity.

In many scenes, Jersey City “interprets” New York . From walks along the river to streets lined with historic buildings, the city offers perfect views to tell the protagonist’s inner passage. A smart production choice, both from a logistical and aesthetic point of view. The Raritan Valley bus station in Edison , a town in Middlesex County, in north-central New Jersey that is used in Nonnas as a turning point in the narrative. It is here that the protagonist’s journey towards his roots begins – or perhaps is renewed – and the contact with the “nonnas” who will turn his life around. Middlesex County is home to numerous parks, including Thompson Park, Donaldson Park, Carteret Waterfront Park, Fords Park and Medwick Park.