Nobody's Baby

Overview

Southsiders can rejoice with the news that Rocco's Bologna Discoteca, a Fitzroy fave, has taken residence at Nobody's Baby in South Yarra. And yes, Rocco's has brought their crowd-pleasing, stomach-filling, juicy meatball sub along for the ride. 

Nobody's Baby made its quiet yet confident arrival on Toorak Road in South Yarra back in April 2025. The dimly lit, alluring venue from Tim Badura (who came across from Young Hearts) and Gustavo Prince (of Pizza Meine Leibe and Joe's Shoe Store) is a neighbourhood favourite that feels both sophisticated, with complex cocktails, and laidback, with easy-listening vinyls spinning in the background. 

Nobody's Baby is part of a pioneering group of venues trialling a residency-type program in which rotating chefs take over the kitchen for a period of time (such as the innovative Residence at the Potter). Badura says this model "keeps things fresh, gives our guests new flavours to explore and lets us collaborate with restaurants we really admire."

First up in the kitchen were the crew from Very Good Falafel, who brought Middle Eastern-influenced snacks and plates all the way from Brunswick. There were sumac-cured sardines, Hawaij-spiced chicken and olive skewers from the hibachi and pita pockets stuffed with lamb meatballs, grilled onions, sundried tomatoes, and pickled mango condiment. Of course, they also showcased their eponymous very good falafel balls with pickles, tahini and zhough. 

And now, the easygoing and flavour-focused pair from Rocco's, Zoe and Emilio, are taking over the pans. Their snacky menu lends itself to a footloose and fancy-free night of drinks and nibbles. Think whipped goat's curd with agrodolce, roasted bullhorn peppers with hazelnut vinaigrette, marinated anchovies with nduja mayo, and beef tartare with tonnato sauce, all mopped up nicely with pillowy focaccia. The meatball sub is more of a mandate than an option, and with salsa verde, white sauce, and parmigiano, it makes for a moreish, messy mouthful. 

Nobody's Baby has created a couple of playful cocktails to accompany the Italian fare. There's a Baby Misu — tiramisu in drinkable form — and the Emerald Green, a blend of basil, honey, Montenegro and gin. For dessert, try the panna cotta with mocha granita.  

Rocco's residency at Nobody's Baby is here for a good time, not a long time. You've got three short months to check out all that the Northside favourite has to offer, before the next chef in residence moves in. 

Images: Supplied.