First Watch

Stopped here to stretch our legs during a long road trip. Cute little spot with sweet and savory…read morepastries. Service was fast and friendly and they even offered to warm the biscuit. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

Third times the charm when trying to get coffee on our way back to my parents after a…read morefun/exhausting wedding weekend. Mea Cuppa is inside the Capital Market which is thankfully pretty easy to get around even when busy like it was when we got here. I needed all the coffee and loved that they had a flat white option which you don't see everywhere, especially in WV. Not the best flat white but it still hit the spot.

12 oz whole milk latte

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Taylor Books

4.6(175 reviews)

I've only been here a couple times, but it's been consistently pleasant. The Moroccan Mint tea is…read morerefreshing and wonderful. The veggie quiche is delicious! And you can't beat their deal on a house coffee with refills for $2.75. Love this place, the folks are friendly and it's such a peaceful place.

Nice books store with new and used. Love the combination of books, coffee and entertainment.read more

Great vibe and coffee

Veggie quiche after a big bite!

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The storefront

Swiftwater Cafe

4.4(91 reviews)

0.2 mi

The tomato basil soup looks and tastes like tomato sauce that would belong on spaghetti. The wraps…read moreand sandwiches were all $11-$12 dollars for what most places sell for $8. Not sure what this place is thinking. Salads are $13-$14.

**April 2025: Weekday Afternoon Visit**…read more My friend and I were in the area and wanted a quick lunch before we hit the road again. With the high reviews we thought we'd check out Swiftwater Cafe. The restaurant is located on the first floor of a large building complex (maybe apartments?), and there were many locals dinning in. The space looked very homey and the tables were lined with green and white checkered tablecloths. There's a big chalk board with breakfast and lunch items and my friend and I decided on the following: Lunch -Italian Grilled Cheese $8.06 - This was a fantastic vegetarian sandwich. There was a lot of flavor and it the texture of all the ingredients worked together. I would get this again. -Tomato Basil Soup $4.16 and Chili $4.16: Standard soups -Pepperoni Roll $4.16 - I was told that this was West Virginia's state food so naturally we had to try it out. It was tasty and I'm glad that this restaurant put in cheese, but I kind of wished there were a little bit more. -Chef Salad $9.88: This salad had a good assortment of ingredients and gave me the much needed vegetables that I had been lacking on this roadtrip. Service The host was very quick and polite. Patrons would pick up their orders at the counter when it's ready. Summary It was a nice local joint and I enjoyed all the outdoor photos around the cafeteria.

Dining room

Cobb Salad

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Streetview

Caffe Romeo

4.8(58 reviews)

0.9 mi

This gelato shop occupies a small space that is across the river from the WV Capitol area and a…read moreshort distance up a steep incline. I walked up to find a couple of people working there who I take to be ownership. Notably, the reason I hadn't visited before is that I often travel on Sunday and they're closed on Sunday. You can run a business however you want I guess, but Sunday does seem like a time where a lot of people would want to be able to purchase some ice cream. In substance, the gelato selection was very good. They had a few non-dairy options. I picked several flavors that were wildly different, but was recommended to try something more consonant, which I suspect reflects a difference in thought processes between the more masculine high-decoupling mind and a contrasting holistic approach. Having said that, I went with the recommendation for what tasted like a very ripe banana flavor, as well as a tiramisu cream that definitely tasted like high quality tiramisu, and a pure hazelnut flavor. It was a high quality smooth dessert, and in relative terms, the price was less than what you'd pay at a high-end place in a big city. And while I can't say I've been to Italy, this gelato was as good as you'd get in any of the American places I've been to, so it's a great stop here in Charleston.

The best gelato I've ever had! You can tell the ingredients are fresh and authentic. I was able to…read moretest out some flavors of gelato before ordering. Great service and ample seating inside.

Sitting area with beautiful forest view @ Caffe Romano

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Banana gelato in Left portion of cup; Pink Grapefruit in Right portion of cup! YUM!

Mea Cuppa Coffee Lounge

4.8(53 reviews)

0.7 mi

Must try: Velvet Elvis!…read more Why: I have a sweet tooth and wanted some flavor in my morning ice latte so tried the Velvet Elvis - blackberry, dark chocolate, and almond whipped cream. Tasted like dessert - loved it! I got a large to sip on during my drive to New River Gorge National Park. Notes: Cute and welcoming coffee shop. Barista was friendly and helpful. Indoor and outdoor seating. Easy parking. I'm a morning person so was happy they opened at 7am on weekdays.

The pastries here are fresh and delicious. They also have small prepackaged wraps, salads and…read moresandwiches that you can easily purchase. They have a few great signature drinks, such as a shower pistachio rose or velvet Elvis. I ordered a soy latte. It was just what I wanted. There is easy parking right outside you can sit inside or outside. It brings a friendly crowd and walk a place to hang out.

Very nice mid-century modern interior.

Retail

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Mea Cuppa Coffee Nook

5.0(2 reviews)

Mepa cups Coffee Nook is really good. The place is so nice and clean and it's inside the public…read morelibrary which is huge by the way and very nice and clean as well 10/10

This is a really cute coffee shop located in charleston library! It's large enough to grab a book…read morefrom the shelves, grab a good coffee and relax here a little bit. Service was quick and friendly!

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Quarrier Diner

4.0(47 reviews)

0.2 mi

What a find! This place is perfect! If you're in town, you definitely got to stop by. The…read morehospitality, environment and food are all excellent. I can't wait to get back and try everything on the entire menu.

After looking at reviews we decided to give it a try after an early morning appointment…read more We were seated quickly and drinks were almost immediately served. Food took a hot minute and that's fine, I appreciate the attention to my food. However, the hollandaise sauce is served from a "jug", the ham is thick and poached eggs were over. The omelet is served open faced which equates to crusty egg and veggies still raw and knife cuts are not consistent. We tried to enjoy.

Inside

Single burger, sweet potato fries and tomato bisque.

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Outside exterior

Cups & Cats

4.3(4 reviews)

Chai was amazing! staff are very nice, and chilling with the cats is such a vibe!…read moreAlthough you do have to pay a fee ti get in but trust me, it's worth it!

Overall: Good cat cafe experience! Coffee was good, a litttttle sweet, but good! We had a great…read moretime here hanging out with kitties and would for sure do it again! What to expect: There's a food and drink side and a cat side. There's a wall with huge windows so you can still look in while you're eating the snacky muffin type food they have. You can take in drinks with lids to the cat side, though. The staff were nice and helpful, they talked about the cats and brought out different things (treats, special toys) to get the kitties interested.

Some cats, like Mr. Thumbs, climb up in high places but still love scritches!

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Coffee bar

The Empty Glass

4.5(31 reviews)

1.2 mi

The best bar in town. So much fun. 8bit brunch is awesome, great service, Jordan and Calvin are…read morethe best bartenders in Charleston.

Always a great time where people can go see great music & entertainment. It's an old favorite…read morewhere everyone can feel at home of all ages.

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Hale House

4.5(201 reviews)

Hale House is truly a Charleston gem. They were completely booked, but we lucked out with a couple…read moreof seats at the bar--and it ended up being the best seat in the house. The bar staff was outstanding from start to finish. We had a few different bartenders taking care of us, and each one was attentive, friendly, and great at helping with recommendations. We ordered the New York steak and the Brussels sprouts special. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium, and the Brussels sprouts hit that ideal balance--crispy, flavorful, and just right. Everything we had was packed with flavor. The drinks didn't miss either--ice-cold beer and expertly crafted cocktails all around. If you find yourself in Charleston, this spot is absolutely worth a visit. Highly recommend.

All of the food was so delicious! It was served timely and warm. Our medium rare steak was more…read moremedium, but it was very tasty, good quality and we split it. Loved the loaded asparagus, but I wish it had been a more generous portion. Chicken and cauliflower was well seasoned. The chicken was tender and the grilled chicken sandwich was also a hit. The roasted red potatoes with kale pesto got great reviews from our dinner mates. Our server Ann was the tops! She was funny, personable and engaging. She read us well and made dinner most memorable! The picture is really a "secret"... you take your life into your hands going down into the "speak-cheesy!" The handrail was pretty rickety and the flooring really should be replaced.... It wouldn't affect the vibe at all... Loved my amaretto sour(s)!

Upstairs Dining

Angel hair crab cakes, Buffalo won ton & mozzarella frittata

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Speakeasy

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Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

20 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Eunice P.

75

14

2

7 years ago

Good place for quick breakfast. They're always fast with the food and it's always delicious. However, the reason why I did not give it a 5 star - their hospitality could be a little better. The servers most of the time - don't make an effort to be hospitable - they just want to get you order and leave, most of the time after the food has been dropped off, they don't even check on your until they drop off the check. Once they drop off the check- you won't see your server again, unless you ask for them. Don't get me wrong they're friendly, they're not rude- I think a little hospitality would go a long way. read more

c t.

88

6

0

16 years ago

The ownership and management of this establishment are the scum of the earth. As opposed to leaving a note or towing a car parked in their owner's spot instead the egg the car and curse/verbally berated the car owner. This is highly unprofessional. I used to eat lunch there 3 to 4 times a week. I will never give this company another dime of my money. read more

Rotten J.

0

8

1

9 years ago

I have to say that this is by far the best breakfast joint in Charlestown. Besides the pot roast breakfast bowl which is so Delicious, they have incredible magic elixirs! Tasty indeed. read more

Harper S.

0

7

0

9 years ago

First Watch is the best breakfast place in Charleston. It's convenient and the service is fast and friendly. Definitely recommend for breakfast or lunch! read more

Kristy S.

0

6

0

9 years ago

Love this convenient place to eat breakfast downtown. Or your typical breakfast options which makes it uniquely delicious. Highly recommend! read more

Christine B.

0

7

0

9 years ago

Excellent food. Excellent service. You should definitely eat here if you live here and if driving through or visiting, don't miss this place. read more

Cody H.

336

38

23

8 years ago

I'm not a breakfast food person, but I love First Watch! Great food and great service. There is usually a wait, but the line moves fast.

Karla C.

43

24

9

4 years ago

Excellent breakfast. Very friendly staff. Very busy location so you may need to wait, but it is well worth it.

Chris M.

176

5

1

12 years ago

Great waitress and great food! I love the chocolate muffin! And the best part, they have flavored creamer!!!!

Ruth H.

93

5

1

10 years ago

Love, love,love First Watch! The food is usually top notch! Has a good and clean atmosphere.

Ali M.

15

3

6

5 years ago

Every time I've been here it has been clean and great food. Great for breakfast and lunch!

Joseph I.

15

106

30

12 years ago

Breakfast was tasty, and service was friendly. It is a bit pricey though.

Karie M.

0

20

0

8 years ago

Great for breakfast or brunch, try there specials, also good every time.

Leon H.

0

7

16

14 years ago

All about the Omelets ! ! ! ! ! Nice staff, in and out in .30 mins

Tabitha S.

1

10

0

4 years ago

So delicious. Exotic variety. Changing menu.

Meredith S.

0

2

0

4 years ago

The cutest brunch spot in Charleston!

Amber C.

1

10

2

13 years ago

One of our favorites for sure!

Karela B.

11

2

16 years ago

The fruity chicken is my fav!

Patrick O.

0

8

0

11 years ago

First Watch is First Rate.

Paul H.

0

5

1

11 years ago

Great food!

First Watch - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

People who viewed First Watch also viewed

Swiftwater Cafe

4.4

(91 reviews)

The tomato basil soup looks and tastes like tomato sauce that would belong on spaghetti. The wraps…read moreand sandwiches were all $11-$12 dollars for what most places sell for $8. Not sure what this place is thinking. Salads are $13-$14.

**April 2025: Weekday Afternoon Visit**…read more My friend and I were in the area and wanted a quick lunch before we hit the road again. With the high reviews we thought we'd check out Swiftwater Cafe. The restaurant is located on the first floor of a large building complex (maybe apartments?), and there were many locals dinning in. The space looked very homey and the tables were lined with green and white checkered tablecloths. There's a big chalk board with breakfast and lunch items and my friend and I decided on the following: Lunch -Italian Grilled Cheese $8.06 - This was a fantastic vegetarian sandwich. There was a lot of flavor and it the texture of all the ingredients worked together. I would get this again. -Tomato Basil Soup $4.16 and Chili $4.16: Standard soups -Pepperoni Roll $4.16 - I was told that this was West Virginia's state food so naturally we had to try it out. It was tasty and I'm glad that this restaurant put in cheese, but I kind of wished there were a little bit more. -Chef Salad $9.88: This salad had a good assortment of ingredients and gave me the much needed vegetables that I had been lacking on this roadtrip. Service The host was very quick and polite. Patrons would pick up their orders at the counter when it's ready. Summary It was a nice local joint and I enjoyed all the outdoor photos around the cafeteria.

Wheelhouse

3.8

(18 reviews)

The wheelhouse is such a cute restaurant. I came here with a friend and there was plenty of space…read more We both ordered the bacon lettuce, turkey and mayo grilled sandwich and it was delicious. It was a great sandwich and a very reasonable price. I will be coming here again! Also we went up and ordered our food and the food came out within 10 minutes.

Went for lunch a few days ago and it was just okay. The service is a bit lacking and not very…read morefriendly. The restaurant is clean and decorated nicely. The food lacks flavor and was just okay. I ordered the hot dog lunch and the chili was flavorless. The menu advertises an all beef hot dog, I believe they aren't all beef. My partner got a chicken salad sandwich. It was good but just needed a good dose of salt and pepper. Snyder's chips are a bonus!

The Backwoods Bar And Grill

4.3

(20 reviews)

The food was good. Service was quick. Nice little place with a bar attached. The deviled eggs…read morewere interesting lol. I didn't care for them but my daughter loves them.

I've eaten here before and while the food was delicious. Placing the order that day, clearly the…read moreperson taking my order was annoyed and tried to discourage me from ordering. That was a few years ago, so I wanted to try again. We called on and off for the better part of 45 minutes. Only ever getting a recording, or it just rang and rang with no one answering. Maybe someday I'll get to try this place again. I'm glad your business is doing so well that you don't need to go orders! That's fantastic in this day and age! Kudos

The Trail Kitchen

4.8

(5 reviews)

What an amazing experience to travel to "The Trail Kitchen" from Ohio. This exceeded all…read moreexpectations and more! Was impressed with the kind, friendly and welcoming staff and customers too. Felt like walking into old friend's home for meal. No words can describe the food !! OMGosh. The food was beyond delicious! Definitely made with a lot of love..... Interior was quaint and clean and welcoming. Thank you to the Marker family

A 30 minute drive from Charleston, the Trail Kitchen is a trip we've been looking forward to for a…read morelong time! I had first heard about it on their last day of the season in 2021. 2022 they didn't open for personal reasons, so we were excited to hear about the opening this year! We went for lunch, and we were not disappointed! The portions were large, messy, and so incredibly delicious! While people with better manners than I might have gone for a fork, I made do with my hands and a stack of napkins! We both got the deep fried tacos, which were literally as big as our heads. Filled with meat, cheese, banana peppers, jalapeños, tomato, onion and shredded lettuce, these things were massive! We chatted with the owners, and if we weren't sold on the place before, their enthusiasm, personality and love of the people of WV would have done it! They were gearing up for the busy weekend ahead of travelers and trail riders, and we look forward to returning!

Maveen's Small Town Cravings

4.4

(7 reviews)

Fantastic service! So kind and friendly to everyone (old, young and in between)…read more The pizza "muffs"are amazing! They are very filling (FYI)...the roll portion is delicious and the pizza parts taste like quality ingredients. They are easy to eat while driving too. I like their chicken salad and my husband loved the Italian sub. You will want the cheesecake on repeat. Everyone else "craves" their sweet baked goods but I'm not sure I'll ever order them because the cheesecake is perfection! The whole place is spotless including the restroom.

I attended a small gathering this week that featured Maveen's chicken salad croissants. Everyone…read morewas raving about them! I then decided I would have to try them for breakfast before I left the small town of Eleanor. I chose one of their GIANT cinnamon rolls and was not disappointed! I loved how much cinnamon was packed into every gooey bite. Wish I lived closer so Maveen's could be on my regular treat rotation. Their staff was kind, friendly, and happy to share information about Eleanor's past (this location used to the the pool hall!) Highly recommend stopping in for a bite. Wishing this small business all the best!

Your Family Restaurant

3.9

(16 reviews)

My wife, grandbaby and I went for lunch. Service was friendly, proficient, and prompt. The food…read morewas hot and very tasty. Just good down home cooking reasonably priced. From now on this will be our "go to" for great food, prompt service and convenience.

The food was delicious The people was friendly…read more We never went without a drink, kept coming back and her so often to refill our sodas

Brick Salt Bar+Kitchen

3.8

(31 reviews)

Excellent service and food. The cheese burgers are great. Clean modern feel. Also a nice bar.read more

Service was a little slow (but still very nice) but other than that I have no complaints!…read more The WV Apple Salad was absolutely delicious. And we loved the pretzel tots

Pies & Pints

4.4

(1k reviews)

Great service and delicious pizza! Next time we are passing through Charleston I hope we remember…read moreto go back!

My boyfriend and I were passing through Charleston, WV during our roadtrip and looking for dinner…read moreduring the work week. I wanted to try something new and interesting and through my Yelp research I found this spot. It's located in downtown with metered street parking free Monday-Saturday nights after 6pm and all of Sunday. Luckily, we were able to find a spot easily. Inside was modern and relatively clean. We had to wait a little bit to be seated as they were pretty busy; however, this place had a decent amount of seating and space. Service was good overall, but it wasn't as consistent as I would've liked for actions such as water refills, asking for extra napkins, etc. This was partly because they were very busy that night. They have a variety of food options - apps, salads, sandwiches, pies (pizzas), and dessert. We ended up ordering a large pizza (thin crust) to split - half Thai and half Chicken Gouda. Both were yummy although the crust was a tad burnt - nothing bad to the extent that taking bites were an effort. Overall, I preferred the Thai since I've never come across a Thai style pizza and I could really taste the curry sauce. The only downside of the Thai was that the shrimp were slightly overcooked, which could be potentially explained by us ordering a pizza split in two styles with them cooking the entire pizza evenly versus what is needed for each ingredient. We finished the entire pizza between the two of us, but I could see someone having some leftovers. If possible, they might want to do some minor pest management. The entire time of our visit a fruit fly or gnat was hovering around us and the food. We tried to catch it and protect the food, only for it to ultimately take a permanent dip in my water. My overall assessment was that it was a good place to try in the city. It's not something I would crave, but I wouldn't mind coming back again if I was in the area.

WV Corner Kitchen

4.7

(14 reviews)

Home cooked food with a extensive menu and the dessert choices are great. Food is consistently…read moredelicious. My mother loves their frozen dinners since she can no longer stand and cook. Taste just like her own home cooked meals when she was able. Owners and staff are so helpful and accommodating. Highly recommended.

Food was good but the owner was d*ck. I called ahead for my order and got there right when i said…read morei would. As i was walking in the door to pick it up, he gave my order away to someone he knew so they wouldn't have to wait. I had to wait 20 minutes because of that. He never apologized, but his staff did profusely. Even the woman he gave my order to apologized (the order had my name on it). I have never been back. To beat it all the food wasn't even for me it was for my elderly parents.

River's Edge Cafe

3.8

(93 reviews)