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    First Watch

    3.5 (397 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:30 pm

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    FIRST WATCH ATMOSPHERE

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    Moderate noise

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    Free bday lunch as a Sune Club Member - Chicken Salad Melt with Potatoes
    Carroll N.

    11.29.25 My husband and I came for brunch to take advantage of a BOGO offer I received for my birthday. Our server was Matthew, and he was exceptional from start to end. He frequently checked on us and noticed the little things such as when my husband needed his soft drink refilled or asked if my husband needed a togo box for leftovers. We started off with million dollar bacon which is always phenomenal. I ordered the pick two which is selected 1/2 sandwich (roast beef and havarti) and 1/2 salad (sweet honey pecan). I LOVED the salad. There were more toppings than greens which I didn't mind. My sandwich was good but midway eating it, I realized that it needed sauce. So I requested it from Matthew and he brought me horseradish. Hubby ordered an omelette which he really enjoyed. I took advantage of getting on the waitlist via their website so we only had to wait five minutes. They text when your table is ready. It's a super convenient feature so you don't have to wait around when the restaurant is packed.

    Toast
    Aarti M.

    Enjoyed a quick breakfast at this cozy breakfast spot. I really like the ambiance here and the service was really good- they even custom made a hash for me without potatoes. The prices are on the expensive side (though the portions are decent). I did enjoy the food though and will be back again!

    Strawberry tres leches
    Tiffany B.

    An hour wait if you go around 10:20am on a Sunday fyi however it was alright. The cocktail was my #1 favorite. The French toast was good but I've had better perhaps a different bread type or egg wash would of done the trick but it was a 5/10, the eggs was alright tasted like someone who's just learning how to cook stepping up their cooking made them 6/10, and the bacon was cooked to perfection 10/10. The potatoes my husband had can use a step up in seasoning and cooking time; they were a bit hard 3/10, his breakfast sandwich had house made sauce which was gross so the overall sandwich was a 3/10. The waitress was a little inattentive had to grab two other waiters for our bill, water, and syrup but she was still good when she came around. The place itself is small, the floors was slippery as hell, I almost slipped going to the bathroom so putting down some rugs on a rainy day may help and they didn't have a wet floor sign either.

    AM Superfoods Bowl
    Erin S.

    This used to be a less favorable first watch to visit but they've really changed for the better! Back in 2021 they were understaffed and could not even handle the customers of Columbia. Now, they are efficient. I wanted a hearty yet healthy meal, so I ordered the am superfoods bowl and the decadent million dollar potatoes. This was my first time trying chia pudding and it was phenomenal! The crunch from the granola combined with fresh fruits was a party for my tastebuds. The flaky salt on the toast was the perfect addition to an otherwise average meal component. The million dollar potatoes were worth every penny if you ask me. I love the bacon and the Parmesan sauce. I was scraping the bowl by the end of my meal. Our server was also very friendly and gave informative answers to our questions about the seasons menu items. It was a ten out of ten experience!

    June K.

    Not an american brunch gal but finally went for the first time.. only to not get brunch. But delicious! Their menu is expansive and although nothing is extraordinary it feels like classic foods that everyone is sure to enjoy.

    Jane K.

    Our server, Naomi, was amazing during my visit for brunch! The food was delicious, and my experience today was superb! It does get really busy on the weekends, but the wait time seemed reasonable. I will be back soon! :)

    "Million Dollar Potatoes"
    Anna M.

    I got my order to go, so maybe eat in would have been better. The coffee was undrinkable because it had an absurd amount of cream and sugar in it. Biscuits with gravy were very meh. But the worst part was the potatoes, which were not cooked all the way. They were legitimately not edible and still had a raw "crunch" in the middle. Would not recommend.

    Rachel S.

    Had a great meal here! It was busy on a Friday morning but we got sat right away. Our server was excellent. I ordered the biscuits and turkey sausage with gravy and fried eggs. I also ordered a side of cheesy grits which were very yummy. Cozy inside the restaurant not very big and it was packed.

    Market Veggie Sandwich
    Patrise S.

    I can barely complete this post! Usually the portion are so reasonable that I finish my entree at the table. This time I ate half and I am stuffed! It was very good. My daughter reserved on the so and I wait was just long enough to decide what to get. There is a nice long bench to wait on. It was a nice, cool sunny day and people were also dining outside. Oooo, I came today because I signed up for emails a year ago and was sent a BOGO. No regrets.

    Multigrain Pancake Million Dollar Bacon
    Kayla Y.

    We came on a sunday around 10 without reservations (my mistake). but they said the wait was about 20-30 minutes which wasn't a problem. however after the 30 min mark and we didn't get an update on anything we asked how long the wait would be, they said it wouldnt be much longer and we asked if we could sit at the small shared table in the front (completely empty) and they said no. the hostess was a bit rude and short with us. come around 15 mins later they placed 2 other groups that came after us on the shared seating area!!! we were getting really annoyed but since we waited so long already we decided to wait out another 5 minutes which then we were finally seated. the food was pretty good and the actual service was fast. the coffee here was too sweet though.

    Drinks
    Başak O.

    Service was good! Ambience was good! Food was good! Soup was cold , which made me a bit upset...

    Eggs Benedict (2 stars)
    Phi N.

    Came here because this is one of the few places open to meet in the morning. The food is on par with other locations I've been to of theirs. The eggs benedict came pretty undercooked and the hollandaise sauce was watery and not very tasty. -the hot chocolate was solid

    Pumpkin donuts with salted caramel dip.
    Grace C.

    They've definitely upped the front of the house. I love sitting outside with my dog for breakfast here. Staff is nice. Food is solid. Love the seasonal menu. Yay for pumpkin donuts! Definitely better than before. I appreciate the improvements they've made in service

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    3 years ago

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    Sharon F.

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    1 year ago

    Great food and vibes!! Loved our waiter Richardson he was very enthusiastic and friendly. Can't wait to come back!!

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    2 years ago

    While a solid spot for great breakfast/brunch food, the slow service always makes us wonder why we come back.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Hanna F.

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    2 years ago

    It doesn't matter which location you go to First Watch never disappoints. I had the Cobb salad and it was excellent. Our waitress was great.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Wasn't bad or good for me, was just average brunch food. However, a friend possibly got food poisoning from here.

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    I had to wait over 35 min, but it was totally worthy. Great food, reasonable prices and excellent service.

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    Page 2 of 10

    First Watch Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - First Watch

    Do you have outdoor seating?

    Yes for most of the year, but not during the winter.

    Do they take reservations?

    I use the app Nowait and will put you in line before you get to the restaurant. I highly suggest that app.

    Do they serve alcohol?

    No alcohol.

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    The Food Market- Columbia

    The Food Market- Columbia

    4.3
    (729 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    I've been to The Food Market many times for brunch, lunch, and dinner, and I have never been…read moredisappointed. The food is consistently exceptional, the drinks are always on point, and the atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between lively and welcoming. Whenever friends or family visit from out of town, this is my go-to spot because I know they'll leave impressed. Most recently, I visited for brunch on Saturday and ordered the short rib gnocchi. It was absolutely delicious... rich, flavorful, and incredibly filling. I paired it with the bubbles flight, which featured an assortment of four sparkling wines and was the perfect complement to the meal. Every visit reminds me why I keep coming back. Great food, great drinks, and consistently great experiences. Love this place. Five stars for consistency and great food!

    Sadly, we had a disappointing Mother's Day experience. While the restaurant was extremely busy,…read morethere were a few highlights. The truffle popcorn was excellent, our child enjoyed the shrimp and fries, and the fresh tuna appetizer was flavorful, although overly sauced. Unfortunately, the scallops with risotto were unacceptable. Both entrees had a strong ammonia-like taste from the first bite, which was immediately noticeable to both of us. We were unable to get much attention from our server due to how busy the restaurant was, but the dishes were left mostly untouched for a reason. For a $40 entrée, we expected much better quality and execution. Sadly, The Food Market did not deliver.

    Photos
    The main bar
    The main bar
    Big Ole' Mozzarella Sticks
    Big Ole' Mozzarella Sticks
    Octopus - appetizer

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    Octopus - appetizer
    Another Broken Egg Cafe

    Another Broken Egg Cafe

    4.0
    (244 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    I was in the area over the weekend and decided to grab brunch after having my car detailed by a…read morefriend. Lots of food options on their menu and is heavily southern comfort influenced. I went with water and essentially a lox bagel but they also have great spiked drinks or non-alcoholic options. Service was a tad slow but given it was the weekend they were probably just busy. Seating is available in and outside the restaurant with a very casual feel.

    Excellent on everything!!! We were traveling home and read the reviews for Another Broken Egg Cafe…read morein Elkridge, MD and decided to eat brunch there. What a great decision. My husband had a combo of sausage gravy over toast, eggs, house-made sausage patties, and country potatoes. Eggs were perfectly cooked, fried hard and a little crispy - just the way my husband likes them! Sausage is a little different but delicious. The potatoes had no grease and I couldn't stop eating them. I had the Belgian waffle with two very flavorful scrambled eggs and crispy bacon. Now for the best part - the waffle arrived with regular warmed syrup AND warmed Bananas Foster Butter Rum syrup. It was the most delicious syrup ever! They sure knocked it out of the ballpark with this!!! I actually had some of both syrups on my waffle! Decadent! Our server, Stiven, smiled the entire time, offered suggestions and was very polite. Nice clean restaurant and bathrooms. There is outdoor seating with beautiful aqua umbrellas, tables and chairs. Servers were constantly out there, so you wouldn't be ignored. Thank you for a great experience! Btw, we just discovered that Another Broken Egg Cafe has opened near us in Fairfax, VA, so we will be going there soon.

    Photos
    Inside restaurant
    Inside restaurant
    Potatoes
    Potatoes
    1/2 Order of Biscuit Beignets

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    1/2 Order of Biscuit Beignets
    Eggspectation - Columbia

    Eggspectation - Columbia

    4.1
    (75 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    Eggspectation - Merriweather District…read more My first visit to Eggspectation and it made a strong first impression. Located in the ever-growing Merriweather District, parking can be a bit of a mixed bag. There's a nearby surface lot that fills up quickly, but a larger parking garage within easy walking distance that makes things manageable--and a bonus for EV drivers, with multiple charging stations that are available. Just plan ahead, especially on weekends or when events are happening at Merriweather Post Pavilion. The space itself is modern and thoughtfully designed. One side of the dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with natural light and offers peaceful views of Symphony Woods--a perfect backdrop for a relaxed meal or a little people-watching. There's also a covered outdoor patio that looks especially appealing for warmer days. Service during our lunch visit was excellent. Ethan struck that ideal balance--friendly, attentive, and accommodating without hovering. He handled menu questions with ease and was happy to make a few substitutions without hesitation. A seasonal spring menu is currently available, but the full menu being offered all day is a nice plus. We started with the Ginger Zinger--refreshing with just the right amount of zing. I went with the veggie omelette, customized to my liking, and it delivered: perfectly cooked and packed with fresh mushrooms, spinach, and asparagus. The Lyonnaise potatoes were flavorful, and the lightly dressed salad rounded out the plate nicely. My friends both ordered the Eggspectation breakfast sandwich, stacked high with thick-cut bacon and presented beautifully. Portions across the board were generous--we expected leftovers, but between the good food and even better conversation, most plates were nearly cleared. Prices lean toward the moderately expensive side, but that's fairly standard for this area--and the quality justifies it. If you're looking for a quieter experience, weekdays are your best bet. It's also a great spot to unwind after a walk around the nearby lakes or wooded paths. While there is ongoing construction in the area, the restaurant itself is well insulated from the noise. Overall, a very solid first visit. I'd gladly return to explore more of the menu.

    What a great location! In the heart of the new apartments and down the street from Merriweather…read morePost Pavilion, this Eggspectations is in a professional building on the first floor. We had Claudia for our waitress and she was awesome! We were her only table at 2:45pm on a Tuesday and she treated us like friends. This was our first time at this location and we will definitely be back. The decor was very uptown professional meets industrial. High open ceilings with sleek black walls and marble looking tables. Very fun big bar as well. We got everything she recommended and it was so good! We got the Eggstravaganza (Brioche French Toast with two eggs, choice of meat and potatoes) and the Flatbread Sourdough Pizza with Pepperoni, grilled onions and peppers, and extra cheese. For drinks we got the seasonal Pistachio Latte and the Tropical Teaser smoothie that was a refreshing fresh fruit smoothie with mango, banana, pineapple and strawberries. When I say we enjoyed the food, I mean we couldn't stop talking about it. We are so happy we got Claudia for our waitress and will absolutely be coming back for more!

    Photos
    Indoor dining with expansive outdoor views.
    Indoor dining with expansive outdoor views.
    Grateful waffle
    Grateful waffle
    Salmon Benedict

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    Salmon Benedict
    Glenwood's

    Glenwood's

    4.1
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    Came for a casual dinner. Had a great time. Lively…read moreatmosphere, they were pretty crowded at around 4pm already. Decent portions of food, tasty and flavorful . We ordered pasta, burgers, sides and cocktails. Price is on the $$$ side but you get what you pay for. Quality of meat and pasta was wonderful. Service was attentive and friendly. Adriana did a fantastic job. Convenient location with ample private parking spots. Will return. Highly recommend.

    Last came here a year ago for brunch which was great, always loved this chain. Recently came here…read moreto this location for dinner for the first time, to celebrate a friend's bday. We made reservations ahead. It was a little too dark inside for my taste, but came on a Tues evening and it was pretty busy, they had live jazz (pianist and cellist) from 6-9p which was cool. Server had great tableside manner, but was forgetful, brought the wrong drink out, and forgot I had asked for water without ice too. For apps we had oysters, the lamb chops special (came with 3), for drinks I had peach puree seasonal sangria and whisky sour, both were delish. For my entree ordered the barramundi special which came with orzo, and I swapped out the broccoli and parm for a huge clump of spinach. Dessert we split the key lime pie (it's a big piece, deff sharing for 2). All the food was great with good presentation. Suggested improvement: Called ahead and asked them to make note to bring out a bday candle with whatever dessert was ordered and they forgot.

    Photos
    Glenwood's
    Steak frites
    Steak frites
    Mac and Cheese

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    Mac and Cheese
    la Madeleine

    la Madeleine

    3.3
    (362 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    I love la Madeline. It might be one of Columbia's most underrated restaurant. This French bistro…read moretransports you to France with the ambiance, food, and service. The workers are all fun to interact with and will speak French to your kids. The bathrooms even enroll you in French class with a basic vocabulary track playing. I learned to count to 5 just by going to wash my hands. The food is true to a French bistro, the drinks are better than Panera or Starbucks, and the pastries.... Don't even get me started on the pastries. They are swoon worthy. Better than any bakery in the area. The croissants are perfectly buttery. I didn't get it this time, but the ham and cheese danish is by far my favorite thing they have. La Madeline is a must try.

    This place has changed and not for the better! Slowly, month…read moreby month, I could see, taste the difference in was once a great dining place. Few desserts are truly "baked" on premise . The meals are mediocre at best. Tremendously Constant staff changeover is also a "telling" sign though some is normal in this industry. Example: ordered Chicken pesta pasta...could not eat it. One bite and I knew there was a problem in the kitchen. The chef hadn't a clue. They no longer served the once selectable bread sticks and replaced them with a dry croissant which has nothing to do with pests. Could not taste a hint of pests, noodles were overcooked and drowning in a milky, soupy liquid. No thanks. I'm done. No more La Madeleine for me. Shortcuts. Bad food.

    Photos
    la Madeleine
    Tomato Basil Pesto Pasta Salade (Bowl) for $6. This is the best "non-pastry" item I've had here. Generous portion.
    Tomato Basil Pesto Pasta Salade (Bowl) for $6. This is the best "non-pastry" item I've had here. Generous portion.
    la Madeleine

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    Tous Les Jours

    Tous Les Jours

    4.2
    (74 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    I absolutely love, love, love this place! I have only gone twice but it's absolutely delicious…read more Especially if you come earlier in the day. I will say it's pricey but I mean what do you expect for high-quality yummy desserts. The donuts filled with some type of seasonal filling is my fav! The drinks there are also worth trying. My favorite was the tiramisu ice coffee (I think that's what it's called). Onlyyyyy thing I would say is the seating, not much seating for the amount of people who go but nonetheless still great spot.

    When I saw matcha on the menu, I knew I had to check this place out! There were unique flavors…read moreranging from pistachio matcha (for taste of Dubai ) to honey lavender matcha (if you're needing a sip of relaxation). I enjoyed how fresh and cohesive the flavors were! There's also a variety of pastries offered. These are baked in their Columbia location and brought to Arundel Mills. I was intrigued by the variety of savory treats, some topped with cheese and beef, others with vegetables. I was also delighted to see macaroons, that looked pretty authentic. With all the solid options present, I landed in a pistachio donut! Now, I will say I had a bit higher expectations for the donut. The donut itself was delicious, but I would have appreciated more pistachio throughout the cream in the center or maybe even skipping out on the cream altogether. Overall I think it was certainly worth a try. The matcha, for sure, stole the show! I will be back to try another flavor of matcha and a savory pastry!

    Photos
    Tous Les Jours
    Tous Les Jours
    Tous Les Jours

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    First Watch - breakfast_brunch - Updated June 2026

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