Hi, I’m Deanna — the founder of Mai CàPhê.
Mai CàPhê is a reflection of my roots, my family’s journey, and my vision to bring Vietnamese coffee and its culture to the community I grew up in.
Experiencing coffee in Vietnam made me realize that it’s more than just a drink — it’s an experience. It’s about slowing down, connecting, and taking time to enjoy the moment.
That’s what inspired me to create this space: to share Vietnamese coffee and its culture in a way that’s bold, deeply rooted in tradition, and reimagined through new experiences — bringing people together through moments of connection.
how Mai CàPhê came to be
In 1994, my parents opened Lugano Pizza at 353 Brant St. Burlington, ON — creating not just a business, but a foundation for our family. Years later, my sister opened La Viva Hair Studio in the same building, just right next to each other with the whole family under one roof.
Together, it became something more — a place shaped by hard work, sacrifice, and the courage it took to start over after coming to Canada from Vietnam.
With everything invested into the business, upstairs became our home.
That space wasn’t just where our businesses were — it was where I was raised. I grew up watching my parents pour everything into what they were building, day after day.
It’s where our family’s roots took hold, and where I first understood what it meant to create something of your own.
In 2022, we lost my dad.
He was at the heart of everything — tirelessly working alongside my mom to build the life we have today. His dedication, strength, and quiet resilience are part of everything we carry forward.
In 2024, I returned to Vietnam after more than ten years to reconnect with where my family came from. Experiencing Vietnamese coffee there gave me a new perspective — it wasn’t just about the cup of coffee itself, but the culture around it. It was bold, intentional, and deeply connected to people and everyday life. That’s when the idea for Mai CàPhê truly came together.
“Mai” is our family name, and “CàPhê” means coffee in Vietnamese — pronounced as
“my cafe.” The name reflects both where we come from and what we’re creating.
Mai CàPhê is our way of sharing Vietnamese coffee through a modern lens — every detail is rooted in tradition while thoughtfully reimagined for a new experience.
More than anything, this space is personal.
It’s a continuation of my family’s journey — and a place where those stories, flavours, and traditions can be shared with the community we came to call home.
