Baba’s Deli Opens in Ivanhoe With Free Focaccia, Drinks and Desserts

Port Melbourne favourite Baba’s Deli is bringing its fresh focaccia, generous sandwiches and family-run hospitality to Ivanhoe, with the new outpost opening softly on Wednesday, 13th May.

There’s something deeply comforting about a neighbourhood deli that gets it right: no gimmicks, no overthinking, just good food and an easy, generous mood. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Baba’s Deli, the beloved sandwich shop now making its way to Melbourne’s north-east.

Founded by Max Latife, affectionately known as “Baba” to his three kids, the deli is a nod to family, community and the simple joy of feeding people well. The name speaks to both his role as a dad and the Arabic word for father, giving the space a sense of care from day one.

If you’ve been to the original, you’ll already know the deal: a laid-back, come-as-you-are atmosphere where the music is good, the mood is easy and the sandwiches are anything but ordinary. At the centre of it all is Baba’s signature focaccia, baked fresh daily and stacked generously with bold, nostalgic flavours.

In a city hardly short on sandwiches, Baba’s keeps things focused on the fundamentals. “We make all our bread in-house, fresh every day,” says Latife. “It’s what everything else is built on, and people can taste the difference.”

Fan favourites like Mama’s Vodka, layered with crumbed chicken and rich vodka sauce, sit comfortably alongside lighter, herb-packed options like Tayta’s Falafel. It’s comfort food dialled all the way up without tipping into excess, with the Ivanhoe outpost set to mirror the much-loved original menu.

Baba’s Ivanhoe will open softly on Wednesday, 13th May, with a bigger neighbourhood celebration to follow on Sunday, 17th May. From 10am, the team will be giving away 100 focaccias, 100 drinks and 50 desserts, with Melbourne favourite Cherub’s Crumble joining the lineup for a sweet welcome to the area.

Beyond the food, it’s the feeling that keeps people coming back. “For me, it’s always been about hospitality from the heart,” says Latife. “We’re not trying to be anything we’re not. We just want people to feel looked after when they walk through the door. That’s what we do best.”

Baba’s Deli Ivanhoe opens at 229 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe, with the same big-hearted spirit that made Port Melbourne fall hard: fresh focaccia, loaded sandwiches, a little family sentiment and a menu that knows exactly what it is. For more tasty updates, catch up on the latest Melbourne food and drink news, then see what’s making headlines nationwide.