The Local Pour - Maia Specialty

Tucked along the scenic Victoria Road in Sydney’s inner west, step into Maia Specialty and you’ll find a space that hums with quiet energy, familiar faces, cosy corners, the aroma of fresh brews, and the warmth of genuine connection.

You’ll find behind the bar is Vincent, Head Barista, whose journey from Vietnam to Sydney has shaped the soul of the space. A former café owner with a marketing background, Vincent’s approach is grounded, thoughtful, and entirely people-first.

You might recognise the name, Maia is the sister café to Ashfield Apothecary. While each space holds its own vibe, they’re connected by a shared philosophy: quality, connection, and a crafted approach to every pour.

First up, introduce yourself. What's your name and what do you do at Maia?

Hi, my name is Vincent. I’m Head Barista at Maia Specialty, and also at Ashfield Apothecary.

What's your background? How did you end up in cafés?

I’m from Vietnam, which is the second-largest coffee exporter in the world, so coffee really is in my blood. I originally came to Australia to study marketing, but I fell in love with the coffee culture here.

Tell us about the local area and community. Why this location?

I haven’t lived in Lewisham, but I know Victoria Street really well, I actually learnt to drive here. I love it, especially in autumn when the purple flowers come out. We didn’t plan to open a second shop, but we were driving past on our way to roast and just saw the space. Mandeep spoke with the agent, and it all just happened from there.

How did Ashfield Apothecary start?

Mandeep shared the idea with us. He’s been in the industry for over 15 years and always wanted to create his own space. Ashfield Apothecary became the kind of café he always wanted to walk into. It reflects everything he loves about the café experience.

When someone visits Maia, what can they expect?

We want to create a space that feels like home. Like a house, like you’re visiting a friend’s house. Friendly and cosy.

If Maia were known for one thing, what would it be?

It’s all about love for what we do, for the brews we craft, and the food we serve. That’s actually where the name comes from. “Maia” means love in Nepalese. The logo above the “i” is an evil eye, symbolising love and protection. So from Ashfield Apothecary, where brew is the medicine, to Maia, where it’s all about love and community, that’s the journey.

How did you get into roasting?

We were in Ashfield for about three to four years and we tried a lot of beans from across Australia and overseas. And then we thought, why not roast what we love and share it with people? The more we got into it, the more control we wanted over every step of the process.

What’s next for Maia and Ashfield Apothecary?

Honestly, nothing too different. We’re still here doing what we love. As long as we keep that love, the space will always be special, a place for people to meet, connect and enjoy a really good brew.

How often do you roast for the cafés?

Once a week at the moment. We roast in Marrickville, nice and close.

Why did you choose The Alternative for your almond and oat?

We taste everything, brews, food, and milk. We trialled all the alt milks out there and The Alternative just worked best with our beans. It’s creamy, and doesn’t overpower the brew. That’s key for us. We want people to taste the coffee, not just the milk.

If you could have a brew with anyone in history, who would it be?

Kobe Bryant. I used to play basketball and I learned a lot from his mentality, how he never gave up. It’s that idea of starting with the small things and getting them right. Do that, and the big things will follow.

Bonus: Tell us more about your café background in Vietnam.

I had a café there too, Vietnamese-style brew, very different to here. When social media took off, a lot of cafés started to focus on the aesthetic, creating picture-perfect spaces. I kept mine cosy and local. That’s always been my vibe, good brew, good space, and a genuine connection with people. That’s the heart of any good café, anywhere in the world.