Oatmeal Redefined One Bowl at a Time: The Rise of The Oat Bar in Prague

At noon sharp, under the sign The Oat Bar across from the University of Economics, I push the door open and step into Anita Gyarmat’s world. She greets me with a radiant smile and asks, “Where would you like to sit?” Despite its take-out vibe, a cozy window seat draws me in. “There?” I suggest.

While her team whips up an Americano for me, I have a second to look around. I notice right away that everything is tidy and in its place. The goofy team photos that decorate the wall make me smile. But soon, a delicious Doubleshot coffee is placed before me, and I turn my attention to Anita.

Her shift from working in marketing to opening The Oat Bar is a story of bold moves. She left behind the security of her corporate job for the adventure of starting something on her own in Prague. Her decision was fueled by travels around the world, which planted the seed for The Oat Bar – a place that mixes oats with health, taste, and sustainability, filling a gap she noted in the Czech Republic.

Anita’s journey to introduce the novel concept of an oat bar adds a unique flavor to Prague’s culinary map and also reveals key business lessons on overcoming entrepreneurial hurdles. Now, follow me to see how Anita’s dedication and resilience led to The Oat Bar’s success.

Securing The Oat Bar’s Spot

Stepping into Anita’s shoes, I realized the road to The Oat Bar’s success wasn’t just paved with oats and ambition. In the beginning, Anita faced the monumental task of pitching her vision for The Oat Bar to a real estate investment group, aiming to secure a prime spot in Palác Karlín, the original location she set her mind on.

“They had to believe that I could create a successful business there. The question was how I fit in as someone without any gastro experience, trying to create here an oatmeal place. And also being a a woman, there’s a lot of judgment attached to it,” she explains.

The negotiation process was intense and involved several discussions. “Of course, I wasn’t the only one to run for the place. It’s usually a big competition for locations like this. But my corporate background helped show my business mindset and convince them I had a solid plan,” Anita reflects on how she won over the investors.

The Oat Bar opened its doors in December 2019, only to face the unforeseen challenge of the global pandemic a few months later. This could have been a setback, but Anita reacted quickly. “The Oat Bar is a takeaway concept, so it was quite easy to adapt to the circumstances – open a takeaway window and sign up for home delivery services,” she recounted. 

Her adaptability allowed her to maintain the integrity and quality of The Oat Bar’s offerings, much to the delight of her customers who continued to enjoy their favorite bowls, hot or cold, from home. But securing the location and dealing with global disasters was just the tip of the iceberg of challenges for Anita.

A Woman in the Gastronomy Business

Anita’s journey into the gastronomy world presented another layer of difficulty, especially as a woman in the dominantly male industry. “When I started, I noticed all the stakeholders, all the suppliers, everyone I talked to was a man.” This environment made her feel like she had to work harder to prove herself. “It was almost as if you needed to convince them that you’re not just a girl with her oatmeal,” she says, pointing out the biases she had to face.

Before her move to Žižkov, while the place was still in Karlín, her boyfriend worked just across the street and used to come by to hang out often. “A lot of times, I was asked who the owner was,” Anita shares. “Some people didn’t believe it was me. ‘Oh! So that guy that is sitting there is the owner, right?’ People would point at my boyfriend.” 

This skepticism extended even to her personal life: “People would ask my boyfriend how the business was going, and he would have to be like, ‘Well, ask Anita.’ It was really interesting to see that I almost had to jump up high, ‘It’s me! I’m running the show.’” On top of this, Anita had to deal with friends and family questioning her career change. “Majority of my friends would rather have seen me take another corporate job than go for this adventure.”

To navigate these challenges, Anita turned to a coach. “That helped me a lot. It gave me a structure and a system to support me with all my decisions and the progress I made,” she explains. This support wasn’t just about business strategy but also helped Anita communicate more confidently, directly leading to a shift in how people viewed her.

The OatBar Experience

The inspiration for The Oat Bar struck Anita during a trip to New York, where she stumbled upon an oatmeal cafe. It was interesting but too Americanized for her taste. “Putting marshmallow on oatmeal wasn’t relatable to me,” Anita reflects. “After I came back, I started working on a concept that would make sense to me and at the same time bring value to Prague’s food scene with a brand new concept.”

The heart of The Oat Bar is its focus on steel-cut oats, a more nutritious, creamy, yet textured version of oats. “Unlike rolled oats, steel-cut oats are unprocessed and such, more nutritious. This type porridge is cooked much longer and it gives you a very different oatmeal experience,” says Anita, emphasizing the careful preparation that keeps the oats nutritious.

During my visit, I sampled both savory and sweet options, each dish a well-balanced explosion of flavors. The Oatmeal Porridge with fresh goat’s cheese and beetroot was a yummy surprise, challenging my preconceptions of oatmeal as solely a sweet breakfast item. The Salted Caramel Cheesecake Yogurt, topped with fresh berries, was equally impressive. “I wanted to bring different flavor profiles that could accommodate anyone,” Anita explains. 

Sustainability and attention to detail are essential at The Oat Bar. Not only are the ingredients carefully chosen and locally sourced, but majority of the toppings are homemade. “You can enjoy a healthy yet tasty wholesome bowl without compromising on the flavour. Also, since it’s a takeaway concept, we are super quick with making the bowls, saving you precious minutes in the morning.” Anita says.

But what really makes The Oat Bar a standout is the warmth and welcoming nature of the service. Anita and her team take the time to educate you on the menu and the concept behind it, making sure you leave not just satisfied, but informed and eager to return.

Engaging with The Oat Bar

Anita’s journey is a refreshing change for Prague’s gastronomy scene. Whether online or in-person, the vibe is inviting, showcasing Anita’s genuine approach to sharing her passion. Their Instagram is a perfect starting point for those curious about their menu, reflecting Anita’s commitment to the concept.

Moreover, Anita has an innovative approach to bringing The Oat Bar to offices, offering a healthy and engaging alternative to standard meeting fare. This service, “Food for Thoughts”, as Anita amusingly calls it,  is designed to make office breakfasts or workshops exciting and nourishing.

If you’re nearby or simply intrigued, consider visiting The Oat Bar in Seifertova 21 at Žižkov or placing an online order. It’s an opportunity to support a business that prioritizes quality, and environmental responsibility. This could even inspire you to think differently about your food choices and the stories of the places you support.