A flashback unfolds, transporting us back 40 years to Brooklyn, where a young Joe finds himself in the kitchen, expertly crafting a family meal alongside his mother and his beloved nonna. The atmosphere is warm and vibrant, filled with life as the family shares a spirited dance together.
Fast forward to the present, Joe is grappling with profound grief following his mother's passing. During a visit to his mother’s closest friend, Roberta, residing in an assisted living facility, she hands him a sealed envelope containing a letter from his deceased mother. However, Joe struggles to find the courage to open it, fearing that it may hold his last memories of her.
As he seeks comfort, Joe's lifelong friend, Bruno, and his wife, Stella, join him for dinner. Joe prepares a delicious pasta dish, reminiscent of the Italian meals that both his nonna and mother used to make, allowing the memories to flood back. During dinner, Stella kindly urges Joe to take a step towards his own happiness using the money from his mother's life insurance.
Motivated, Joe makes a trip to Staten Island, where he visits a local outdoor market—a place rich in nostalgia from visits with his nonna and mother. There, he unexpectedly encounters Olivia, a former prom date, and her neighbor, Antonella. Memories of their youthful days come rushing back, and it is revealed that Olivia has since married and lost her husband.
A sudden inspiration strikes Joe when he discovers an abandoned restaurant in the area. He becomes determined to revamp it into a charming eatery named Enoteca Maria, with a unique twist of hiring nonnas to prepare traditional family recipes. He enlists Bruno, who works as a contractor, to assist him in the renovations.
Despite his excitement, Joe struggles to replicate his nonna’s legendary Sunday gravy. In a creative endeavor, he places an advertisement on Craigslist, seeking nonnas to join him in the kitchen. Roberta, alongside Olivia’s persuasion of Antonella to join, and Teresa—who enters amidst a heated argument—end up showing up for culinary auditions. Each woman brings her own flair as they prepare their respective dishes, and Joe impressively hires all three.
In addition, Joe seeks out Gia—his mother’s former hairdresser, played by Susan Sarandon—convincing her to craft her signature homemade desserts for the restaurant. On a particularly chaotic day in the kitchen, as Roberta prepares a traditional capuzzelle (stuffed sheep’s head), a food fight ensues, resulting in a fire breaking out when the oven explodes from the intense cooking.
Feeling overwhelmed, Olivia arrives to help Joe tidy up the joint and during their time together, they candidly share their experiences of loss. Olivia wears her wedding ring as a tribute to her late husband, revealing how grief has interwoven their lives together. Joe continues to keep the envelope from his mother sealed, fearing what it might reveal.
As the restaurant's struggles unfold, the fire inspector initially refuses to grant Joe a certificate of occupancy due to previous fire accidents. However, through Teresea's fervent prayers and Olivia's persistence, who also happens to be a law student, they successfully navigate the complexities and get the necessary paperwork through a corrupt inspector.
Bruno's sacrifice emerges as he sells his father’s classic car to contribute financially towards the rebuild of the restaurant, showcasing the friendships held dear. Meanwhile, Gia organizes makeovers for the nonnas at her hairdressing salon, further bolstering their confidence.
As the restaurant gears up for the grand opening, a severe thunderstorm hits, leading to a disappointing turnout. Later, Joe learns that a vendor at the local market has been disparaging the restaurant, stifling business due to Joe not being a local. Hoping to draw in customers, Joe reaches out to restaurant critic Edward Durant, only to discover he is fully booked for months ahead.
Faced with the prospect of closing his doors, Joe and the chefs decide to host a festive final gathering on Sunday night, an event attended by their families. Amidst laughter and shared joy, the crowd rises and applauds the four chefs, offering a standing ovation. Once the festivities come to a close, Joe finally opens the long-held envelope, revealing a trove of handwritten recipes from his mother, including the elusive Sunday gravy that had eluded him.
In a glorious turn of events, a glowing review appears, welcoming a flurry of customers to Enoteca Maria. As the nonnas emerge from the kitchen to mingle with guests, they dance joyfully, celebrating their victory over the odds. Olivia, surrounded by the warmth of community and newfound possibilities, shifts her wedding ring to her right hand and dances with Joe, marking a poignant beginning borne from their shared resilience.
