The Best Breakfast Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale for Families Seeing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Broward Center
A December weekend morning hits a little differently when there are theater tickets sitting on the table. The kids are usually buzzing about seeing Willy Wonka, pulling apart warm cinnamon monkey bread, and counting down the hours until the afternoon show. When families secure seats for Slow Burn Theatre Company’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Broward Center, the next step is figuring out the morning logistics. Our weekend brunch bridges that gap between the children's anticipation and the adults' need for a quiet moment with a hot coffee. Instead of rushing downtown right before the curtain rises, you can join us at the best breakfast restaurant in Fort Lauderdale for a relaxed morning before walking over to the venue.
In this guide:
Navigating Fort Lauderdale Parking and Transit for the Broward Center
We know parking around the Amaturo Theater adds an extra layer of planning to a family outing. If you head straight to the venue, the Broward Center’s main A&E District Garage at 101 SW 5th Ave offers weekend event parking for 15 dollars, operating entirely cashless through the ParkMobile app or onsite pay stations. They also provide a 30-dollar valet service and a dedicated rideshare drop-off at Esplanade Circle. The Riverwalk Center Garage at 150 SE 2nd St serves as an official alternate for overflow.
Getting from Brunch to the Amaturo Theater
From our tables at 704 SE 1st St, the drive to the venue takes about five minutes. If you prefer to stay out of the car, the walk stretches about one mile straight down the Riverwalk, taking roughly 20 minutes on a flat, paved path along the water. We also sit right near the Smoker Park stop for the free LauderGO water trolley. It runs daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and drops passengers at the Esplanade Park stop right next to the theater, though we always recommend factoring in a 20 to 30-minute wait time for the trolley when planning your morning.
A Sweet Fort Lauderdale Brunch Menu for the Matinee
Our main menu has a sense of morning whimsy, which pairs perfectly with a candy-themed theater day. A morning at our tables often kicks off with a shared plate of Monkey Bread, baked with fresh dough, real butter, cinnamon, and sugar. Pulling apart the sweet, sticky pieces sets a fun, relaxed tone for the rest of the meal.
For the main course, our Crepe Express brings the chocolate factory theme directly to the plate. We fill a freshly made crepe with Nutella, then top it with fresh strawberries and bananas.
We also carry that same energy into our coffee program. Our French Toast Cappuccino arrives under whipped cream with a crispy French toast bite served right on a pick. It is a fun, visual treat that blurs the line between morning coffee and dessert, keeping the sweet theme going right up until it is time to head to the theater.
The Parent’s Reward at the Best Breakfast Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale
While the children focus on Nutella and cinnamon sugar, we make sure the adults have an equally satisfying morning. We cook every dish using only beef tallow, pure butter, or extra virgin olive oil, keeping seed oils completely out of our kitchen.
For a substantial start to the day, we serve Ben's Favorite, a four-egg omelette packed with turkey, fresh avocado, pickled onions, and cheese, plated alongside our house potatoes and toasted multigrain sourdough.
Our Israeli Breakfast brings a Mediterranean profile to the table, combining eggs, avocado, feta, grilled halloumi, and kalamata olives with Turkish yogurt and a Jerusalem bagel. For a heavier option, we make Frank's Famous Hash by mixing beef filet, sunny eggs, and potatoes with peppers, onions, avocado, and cilantro aioli.
We also pour a Classic Mimosa, giving parents a pocket of quiet adult relaxation before heading into an afternoon of singing, dancing, and excited kids.
Aligning Your Brunch with December Matinee Showtimes
This brunch routine lines up with the afternoon theater schedule at the Broward Center. The run begins with a sensory-inclusive performance on Saturday, December 12 at 1:30 p.m.
For families holding tickets to the 1:00 p.m. Saturday shows on December 19 or 26, grabbing a table with us around 10:30 or 11:00 a.m. leaves plenty of time to eat, settle the check, and catch the water trolley or walk over.
If you have tickets for the 2:00 p.m. shows, running on Sundays (December 13, 20 for open caption, and 27) as well as a Wednesday matinee on December 23, the morning can stretch out even longer. It leaves just enough time to share one last plate of monkey bread before heading down the Riverwalk to catch the opening act.
Frequently Asked Questions for Fort Lauderdale Families
Where is the best place to park for a Broward Center matinee?
The Broward Center’s main A&E District Garage (101 SW 5th Ave) offers weekend event parking for 15 dollars, payable via ParkMobile or pay stations (no cash). They also offer 30-dollar valet, and list the Riverwalk Center Garage (150 SE 2nd St) as an alternate. There is a dedicated rideshare drop-off at Esplanade Circle.
Does Café Bastille take reservations for weekend brunch?
The restaurant does not accept reservations and operates entirely on a walk-in basis. To help accommodate all guests, there is a two-hour seating limit.
Is there a specific kids' menu available?
There is no separate kids' menu. The regular menu features plenty of sweet, shareable dishes like the Monkey Bread and the Nutella-filled Crepe Express.
How long does it take to walk to the Amaturo Theater?
The theater is about one mile from the restaurant. Walking along the Riverwalk takes roughly 20 minutes on a flat, paved path.
What time should we eat for a 1:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. show?
For a 1:00 p.m. show, sitting down around 10:30 a.m. is ideal. If you have tickets for a 2:00 p.m. matinee, arriving around 11:30 a.m. provides plenty of time to eat and make your way to the venue without rushing.
Can the kitchen accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes. Gluten-free bread is available on demand, and the restaurant exclusively uses seed-oil-free non-dairy milks. The kitchen does not allow substitutions on the menu items.
The Perfect Start to a Fort Lauderdale Theater Day
Taking the family out to see a live production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a great way to spend a December afternoon. We love hosting families before these holiday performances, turning a simple ticketed event into a full morning out.
If you plan to return downtown for other performances this season, our routine in Hamilton at Broward Center November 2026: Where to Eat Brunch and Drink Coffee Before Matinees follows a similar path. We also highlight our menu favorites in The Pistachio Lover's Guide to the Best Brunch Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, and you can explore more of the walking route in our Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk Breakfast and Coffee Guide: Morning Strolls Along the New River.
Join us for a fantastic meal, take in the waterfront views, and have a wonderful time at the show.
Café Bastille Fort Lauderdale
Address: 704 SE 1st St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: +1 786-425-3575
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Website: www.cafebastilledowntown.com
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