The (Daytime) Fate of Ophelia's

No...not THAT Ophelia.

If Taylor Had Brunch in Fort Wayne, it Would Definitely be Here

As my kids are growing older, one of the most significant changes I have noticed is bedtime! When my kids were little, I used to count down the minutes until bed. I have always been diligent about naptime and bedtime (7:30pm lights out!). My kiddos’ attitudes are always so much more pleasant when they are well-rested (as am I!).

As I have a pre-teen these days though, bedtimes have progressively gotten later and later. I love the chance to connect with my older two kids while the littles are in bed. We often play board games, or watch a slightly more mature show/movie. It’s fun to see my people blossom into more grown-up versions of themselves and continue to get to know who they are.

One of my major struggles though is that I can’t hang!

After getting the older ones into bed around 9:30, I feel like I have less and less time to connect with my husband. We used to have the whole night to give each other, from 7:30 until bed. Lately, however, a quick hour is all we’ve been getting at night. This is even more complicated when we try to find a sitter! We try to put the littles to bed before we go out (our kids are NOT always easy at bedtime), but that means dates don’t start until 8. Most places in Fort Wayne close by 9:30 or 10:00.

Why We're Leaning Into Day Dates

So… we are looking more at daytime dates! My in-laws came over to spend some time with the kids and Brennan and I headed to a local restaurant that we’ve been meaning to try-out. I’ve heard great things about the brunch there, so off to Ophelia’s we went!

Ophelia’s is a cute brunch restaurant just north of all the riverfront development in Fort Wayne on Wells Street. One of the first things we noticed as we walked in were the original blueprints for the house. How fun! I love local historical homes being renovated and maintained, or even outfitted for a different purpose. They have definitely leaned into the feminine vibes with this restaurant–from the cursive scrawl on the sign, the dainty flowers on the table, the fun wallpaper and the pink upholstered seats. I love the details in the decorating; bright, cheerful and not too overwhelming.

Come for the Coffee, Stay for the Vibes

We were quickly seated at our table in the upstairs dining room. I ordered a cinnamon cream cold brew, and Brennan got a classic cappuccino. The dining room rapidly filled-up, and we waited a little longer than I expected to for our coffees. They were, however, well-worth the wait! Both of our drinks were delicious, and I definitely drank every last drop. I love cinnamon in my coffee–it’s such a simple way to change the flavor of a classic drink!

We ordered steak taquitos for an appetizer; I ordered the avocado toast (like a TRUE millennial), and Brennan ordered the grain bowl. The steak taquitos were delicious–not as crispy as I had anticipated, but full of good flavor. The green sauce they served with it was fire (as Gen Z likes to say). Our waitress very kindly left the remaining green sauce so we could use it on our meals if we wanted to.

My avocado toast was topped with a generous portion of avocado, microgreens, sriracha and an egg. Brennan’s bowl was loaded with delicious veggies (sweet potatoes, peppers, etc.) and some delicious candied almonds! We were both pleasantly surprised at these healthier options being on the menu–normally when I think of a brunch place it’s all French Toast and Pancakes. While I don’t have anything against those options (I have a big sweet tooth!), it is nice to have a variety of choices. Some of the other tables near us ordered some french toast, and it did look amazing.

Overall, this was a great find! Brennan and I will definitely be back, and I’d love to bring my daughter here. It’s got a great mother-daughter vibe. I bet the patio comes alive in the nice weather. So glad that places like Ophelia’s exist in Fort Wayne!

Things to Keep in Mind

Parking

Ophelia’s is in the Wells Street corridor, which is a very crowded part of the city. The parking lot is behind the building, but it is not very large. Be prepared to park on the street.

Accessibility

Since it is an older home, if accessibility is an issue for you or your family you may want to reserve a spot ahead of time! Call ahead to let them know you will need an accessible seat. I did see ramps to the outdoor patio and to get in the front door, but it is a restaurant in an older home. I wouldn’t bring one of those big Wonderfold Wagons, but an umbrella stroller might be OK.

Cost

It is definitely not the cheapest spot in town, but it is delicious! Plan to spend at least $20 per person, and more if you want to sample the mimosas!

Limited Seating

I highly recommend a reservation during the winter/spring/fall months as they do NOT have a large indoor dining room. We went on a weekday around 12:30pm, and were seated almost immediately with a reservation. Space quickly filled up around us!

Regrets:

Speed

If you’re looking for a quick bite, this is probably not the place to go. The meal took a little longer than I anticipated, but the dining room did fill up quickly. We were not in a rush so it was not a problem for us, but the service was a little slower.

My only major regret with Ophelia’s is that I couldn’t try more on the menu! We were happy with our food choices, but had a hard time picking because everything sounded so good. I loved my iced cold brew, but was tempted to order a mimosa flight. I have heard from others that these are delicious–I may be making a second trip soon!

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