Oat Mode Cafe Will Open in Portland This November

The new breakfast spot on Pearl Street aims to serve downtown professionals with healthy, custom-built bowls.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Gouache-painted illustration of a bowl filled with oatmeal and berries on a wooden table, representing a new cafe. — Oat Mode, a new cafe specializing in custom yogurt and oatmeal bowls, will open its doors at 25 Pearl St. in Portland this November. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Oat Mode, a new cafe specializing in yogurt and oatmeal bowls, is scheduled to open its doors in November 2026. Located at 25 Pearl St. in Portland, the shop will occupy space formerly used by a Subway sandwich shop.

Why it matters

Owners Kevin MacDonald and Brie O'Malley are launching the cafe to offer healthy breakfast options to working professionals in the downtown area. The business model emphasizes custom-tailored menu items with a focus on local ingredients.

The 30-seat cafe features a build-your-own menu using items sourced from Maine Grains, Grandy Organics, and Coffee by Design. Owners have set a long-term goal of reaching 500 locations nationwide over the next 10 years.

The players

Kevin MacDonald

He is the co-owner of the upcoming Portland-based cafe Oat Mode.

Brie O'Malley

She is the co-owner of the upcoming Portland-based cafe Oat Mode.

The details

Oat Mode will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Customers can choose from a variety of toppings and stir-ins for their custom yogurt or oatmeal bowls.

Oat Mode is scheduled to open in November 2026.
The owners plan to launch a second shop within the next 1 to 2 years.
The owners aim to reach 500 total locations within the next 10 years.

Market Landscape

This venture follows the industry trend of scaling healthy, fast-casual breakfast concepts to capture market share from traditional quick-service chains. The owners intend to compete with established brands by leveraging local supplier partnerships.

Downtown workers will soon have a new venue for morning meals that focuses on customizable, health-conscious menu options. The cafe provides a compact seating area designed for quick service rather than long-term lounging.

The takeaway

The cafe intends to bridge the gap between quick service and health-conscious dining for urban commuters. Residents should look for the shop to open on Pearl Street later this year.