Big toastie flavours and quality coffee arrive at Maitland Station
Tucked into the corner of the Maitland Station building and brought to life by the team behind the beloved community hubs, Grand Junction Hotel and Ray’s Pizza Joint, Rex & Friends is Maitland’s newest cafe and it’s already creating quite the buzz.
With its slick curved architecture and matching countertop design, platform-facing coffee window, and efficient, flavour-packed menu, Rex & Friends is equal parts convenient as it is charming.
“This place was just sitting empty for so long, and at the beginning of the year, we’d loosely talked about doing something with it, but nothing stuck. Come May, we just went for it,” Manager Courtney Peters said.
Courtney, who has been with the Grand Junction team since 2021, has played a key role in shaping the identity of the new venue.
“As soon as we got in here, the vision was pretty clear. The aesthetic of the building really inspired us – we knew we wanted that big curved counter to match the space.”
Officially opening to the public on Saturday, June 21, Rex & Friends has been slinging out quality drinks and eats Monday to Friday from 5.30am and weekends from 7.30am ever since, quickly becoming a favourite pit stop for commuters and Maitland locals.
“We’re already getting great trade from people that are using the station. Plus, with our coffee window that opens up onto the platform, it’s great for people who are on that side of the track and can just order and pick up their goods from there.”
The coffee itself comes from Newcastle-based crew, Darks Coffee Roasters, with a custom blend and packaging designed specifically for the venue.
“We ended up working with Trent from Darks Coffee Roasters because his vibe matched ours perfectly and his expertise really sold it.”
Alongside the standout coffee, Rex & Friends has made a name for itself with its toastie menu, bolstered by a high-end oven that delivers crispy, melty perfection in just two minutes.
The toasties range from the classic ham and cheese to the indulgent pulled pork with jalapenos, chipotle mayo, and dijon. There’s also a vegetarian option packed with pesto, pickled onion, and roast capsicum, as well as a rotating toastie of the month special that ties into the specials on offer at Ray’s Pizza Joint.
The menu doesn’t stop there – bagels, pies, protein balls, and a slew of gluten-free and dairy-free sweets from Munja Bakehouse and Bad Boy Bakehouse ensure there’s something for everyone.
There’s even a small section just for furry friends – named Rex’s Picks that features a puppaccino and peanut butter and oat dog biscuits, a nod to the cafe’s namesake – Rex, the owners’ 12-year-old staffy.
Inside, a formerly unused storage nook has been transformed into extra seating, complete with power points and high tables – a smart solution for travellers juggling luggage and low batteries.
“At the pub, people often come in with their suitcases asking to charge their phones, so we’ve been able to offer that space in here.”
From the soft opening that drew curious glances to the now buzzing weekends and commuter foot traffic, Rex & Friends has already cemented itself as a bright new chapter for Maitland’s cafe scene.
“People in the area just want more nice places where they can sit and enjoy a coffee. We’re just happy to be that place.”
