Another great breakfast spot located in fairfax. I have passed by First Watch on a weekly basis but never took the time to go get breakfast here. Today was the day I went and you really can't judge a book by its cover! From the exterior first Watch looks like a boring old breakfast spot! Wrong! When you walk in the crowds are huge and there is no space so please be sure to go on yelp and make a reservation ahead of time! Because we already reserved ahead of time we had to wait just 15 mins. Even if you make a reservation you still have to wait so keep this in mind. My expectations were high at this point because people around me who didn't have reservations were waitin for 75-90. The food was delicious. Probably the best brunch I had in a long time. It's level above and beyond IHOP. It's about the same level of good of Silver Diner breakfast food. Be sure to order a good cup of coffee. They make a good pot of that here well. The carrot cake pancakes are delicious I didn't believe it would be this good but the taste was exactly like having a carrot cake. Be sure to top it off with their syrup best syrup I had in a minute not going to lie. Syrup wasn't too sugary but it wasn't too bitter it home good bitter sweet taste to it that left you wanting to put more on your pancake they also don't put too much butter or grease on the pancakes so it is fairly healthy unlike IHOP and other diner breakfast spots. They have great eggs too. The potatoes were a yummy side but the season isn't much so be sure to put some hot sauce!! Overall it was great and I will be back very soon to try there other great options! Everyone I went with said that their food was the best breakfast food they had in a long time! Best breakfast spot in fairfax by far!! read more

See all

I'm a little offended at myself for not coming here for brunch vs DC spots sooner. My boyfriend and I came on a Monday holiday but held our spots in line by using the Yelp app--not just a Yelp plug but highly recommend if you refuse to wait 30+ minutes for a table. We both ordered different benedicts--I ordered the BLT benedict and he ordered the smoked salmon benedict with the kale tonic, which was a bit on the tart side but a nice palate cleanser if you're feeling green and healthy. Didn't wait extremely long for our table or for our food, which is always a plus. On the flipside, my server charged us for two coffees which we never asked for, and when I asked him to fix the check, he had only removed one. Thankfully the kind woman at the front register took off the second coffee without arguments. Overall, First Watch was pretty impressive and had us leaving satiated rather than belly-bursting over our beltlines. read more

Again, I'm breaking the no-chain rule here. Because these folks don't act like a chain, despite the fact they are. Plus they're always striving for healthy and better ways to improve. The location of this First Watch is okay. Comparing it to the Chantilly location, the food is still good, and the hours are still great, but the parking is horrendous, and the layout I think makes it feel more claustrophobic. That aside, the customers are younger here, and I feel that's because the location is right near George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College, so you get the best of both worlds. I have also noticed that First Watch has stepped up their "health game". More healthier options on the menu, and despite slightly higher prices, the quality of the omelettes and their overall selection has not diminished. I also haven't noticed a shrinking in portion sizes, they've still kept the good stuff, good 'n plenty! So I guess the real question is, which location is better? The answer is, both are good, I guess. It just depends on how far you want to talk, and how far you're willing to drive. But like with any other First Watch, get there early! It gets really busy here, fast! Even though I came alone I snuck in and got a seat at the breakfast bar, which is a really great way to meet new people and socialize with old ones. I know I always enjoy sitting there. In any event, make your way over here if you want some good, healthy, brunch eating. read more

3.5 stars--- The service wasn't super but it was pretty fast! There were sooo many people there. We went on a Saturday around 11am. Someone from our party was there around 1045am and waited. We got seated in 20 mins. The drink order came out quickly and yes, they leave a pitcher of water and thermostat of coffee for you! The food came out quickly but unless you search out your waiter or he happens to pass you, you won't see him until he drops off the check. I got the spicy omelet with chicken-- forgot the name. But it was good! I don't like potatoes so I switched for a cup of fruit. If you're a lady and need to use the restroom, it's a one-person bathroom but you can wait inside if you just need to wash your hands. The people I was with got all different meals and the portions are larger than most but good sizes! Pancakes and waffles were HUGE!! I have pictures!!! read more

First Watch - Huge pancake order!!! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

See all

Always love my experience at First Watch. I've been to several locations and always enjoy. The food is reasonably priced. They make healthy local food delicious. They have a variety of dishes and a tasty spin on regular and diverse entrees. I would absolutely download the app as the restaurants are always super busy. With the app, you can stay "get in line" and be seated by the time you arrive. This is a great weekend causal brunch or breakfast. A great place to go for a solo date, date with your boo or for a small or medium group. 11/10 would recommend. Let me know what you try! read more

See all

I really appreciate this brunch spot for a few reasons. 1) You can put yourself on the wait list prior to going there. (you can do it also on yelp with an approximate wait time) 2) They are family and baby friendly and very accommodating. They even have things to put baby car seats on and they take care of you. 3rd would be just overall friendliness and food. All the food is great here. If you have friends visiting from outside of the country, you can bring them here to say this is brunch culture. You can't go wrong with the maple bacon as long as you like pork. The various drink specials are fun ways to wake up. That's pretty much it rest of how awesome food is well documented here on other people's comment. read more

I went to the First Watch in Aberdeen, NC for lunch and I loved it. The staff was gentle and interested in answering all my questions. From the smiling welcome at the door to the gentle thank you at the exit. The food is really tasty and pretty....yes, that is important to me.....On top of it all, they are quick. I strongly recommend this place. read more

First Watch - First Watch - SKILLET HASH Market - delicious - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

I can understand why the wait here is always long because the quality is top notch at an affordable price! I've been here a number of times and usually go for the Eggs Florentine. I've also tried some other dishes and haven't found anything I don't like. During my most recent visit, my boyfriend complimented the orange juice because it's freshly squeezed! A big plus is that you can actually get on the Waitlist through Yelp! I love any restaurant that has this feature on Yelp because I don't wait to wait too long at the restaurant. Overall, First watch is definitely a solid place for brunch! read more

Came here for brunch with family. If you have a group of 10 or more, you can a make a reservation. Otherwise, you might want to assume you're gonna wait. I've been to First Watch in Virginia too and there's always a wait. I guess it's just a feature of the restaurant? Fortunately, the food is good enough to justify the wait. The salmon eggs benedict was delicious. This is such a reliably good brunch place, we recommend it. read more

Walking into First Watch after years of being away was a new experience all over again. This First Watch on main street was warm and inviting. The lighting wasn't to bright because the sunlight set the mood. The drawings on the chalk board were lovely and done by hand. Kelly's sister Ms. T did a wonderful job on them. Our server Mike with muscles talked to us for a while. We found out he is a new dad and works part time at First Watch and works as a trainer elsewhere. He is great server and is there to get you what you need in a timely manner. The blueberries with the pancakes were delicious. The sausages were very good too. I will be sure to come back here again. The restaurant and it's bathroom were clean and well taken care of. This was has been a great experience. read more

See all

Good breakfast place and nice atmosphere I love the waffle very crunchy We will be back again read more

I went here this morning with my Mom and it was fantastic! It was busy but still manageable, our server was absolutely FANTASTIC, and it wasn't too pricey considering it was healthier food, but well, not as much as I'd care to spend but it was definitely worth it. I got the Tri-Fecta with over medium eggs, bacon and a waffle and it was simply scrumptious. I was persuaded by our server to try their Kale, Apple, Cucumber, Honey juice (I forget the name) and was blown away by how amazing it was. The server wasn't lying when she said you couldn't really taste the kale, more so the apples and cucumber. Overall this place was amazing and I'd definitely come here again read more

See all

Went here for breakfast with my family. We have been here a few times. The food is usually very good and me and my guests are usually pleased with the meal. Except today! My potatoes and bacon were burnt. My grandson's potatoes were burnt and we were not satisfied. I was very disappointed and hope this is not a pattern. I hope next time our meal is better. read more

The food was ok, service was ok. But my over medium eggs were cooked through and by the time I knew eggs we were all done eating and waiting for the check. My other food was lukewarm. Didn't taste bad but their kitchen to table time was so long that my food had begun to cool. read more

First Watch is a daytime cafe that is open from 7 am to 2:30 pm. Located in the Fair City Mall, next to the Ulta. Free coffee at door as you wait to be seated. Reservations are recommended or wait time can get up to 60 minutes. TIP: Nowait App lets you check restaurant wait times and book a table from your phone. Since discovering First Watch, it's been a regular brunch stop for my friends and I over the weekend. Dishes are super health conscious so I never feel guilty devouring the entire meal. Market Skillet Hash is extremely generously portioned. The skillet hash was eggs over potatoes and veggies that came with toast and fruit. 2 For You lets you pick 2 dishes from a list of sandwiches, salads, and soups. I had the market sandwich and sweet honey pecan salad. The sweet honey pecan salad's sweetness was a bit overpowering but both were delicious. I'm determined to try everything on the menu!! read more

First Watch - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

What took me so long to come here! We arrived just after 8am on a Sat and there were already five or so tables of people. Guests were socially distanced when seated. We were seated right away and the server allowed enough time for us to review our menu and order. Lots of menu choices. We ordered the elevated egg sandwich and the market hash. The potatoes for both were soft and a little crispy on the outside. And the eggs on the market hash were the perfect sunny side up. Our server checked on us without standing on top of us. We noticed lots of take out orders. The place started to fill up a bit before 9am. Overall great breakfast spot!! I've been missing out! read more

See all

Amazing place. It's crowded for a reason. Super friendly staff. Delicious food. Large menu. Healthy options. Overall, a great restaurant. Strongly recommend getting on the online waitlist before arriving...it'll save you some time. Definitely a place to put on your list. read more

First Watch - Huevos Rancheros with black beans - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

See all

Amazing food, had a bad experience with service, forgot our drinks and never checked on our table. We finished our food before she came back where we could remind her about the water and milk we ordered. Also, estimated wait time was way off but that has a lot of variables I'd like to assume it's more accurate usually but who knows. read more

Very busy weekend breakfast and brunch spot! If you are interested in visiting this place make sure you put your name on the waitlist through yelp business page and check in with a host upon arrival, otherwise you may have to wait for more that an hour for a table! Menu offers a nice variety of breakfast and lunch dishes. Their pancakes are big and popular! Most of produce and proteins are sourced from local farms, which is awesome! I ordered an avocado toast with basted eggs and my husband tried an Italian omelette. Everything tasted delicious. They offer juice beverages which seem to be also pretty popular, we didn't try any. No mimosas though! They don't offer any alcoholic beverages. Overall great place to get early morning eats. read more

See all

Cannot get enough of this place! So far, have had the steel cut oatmeal (better without the fruit) chocolate chip muffin, carrot muffin, carrot cake pancakes OMG - MY FAVORITE!!! , the egg breakfast and my Little has had the French toast! While the food is always great, service is hit or miss. read more

See all

Roach crawling on the wall right above us at the table-it took ten minutes for the manager to finally come speak to us after the server reported and witnessed this. The manager was very nonchalant about it, disappointing to say the least. read more

First Watch - Roach crawling on the wall right above us at the table. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Breakfast sandwich was worth the wait and they are very kid friendly. Good place to eat before or after doing your weekend shopping in the area. read more

This restaurant is a must try in Fairfax. I went for the first time today for brunch and was so happy with my dining experience. Firstly, this place was packed, but my group and I put ourselves on the waitlist at 12 on the Nowait app. We were able to get down to first on the list after an hour, so I definitely recommend doing this rather than waiting at the restaurant. At the front door, there was free coffee and water for guests to enjoy while they waited to be seated. Once being seated, our waitress was very attentive and kept checking whether we were ready to order. I ended up getting the trifecta with scrambled eggs, a blueberry pancake, and bacon. The pancake came with a berry sauce and the combination was hands down the best pancake I've ever had. The eggs were okay and the bacon was pretty good. My sister got the 2 for You combo with a market veggie sandwich and tomato basil soup. She loved the sandwich, but the soup came kind of cold. She asked our waitress if it could be heated up and she said they didn't have anything to heat it up (possibly meaning they don't have microwaves, which I think is a good thing), but was happy to give a second one for free. The second one came hot and she was very pleased. Lastly, our friend got a chickichanga which was delicious. They were also very accommodating and put her chicken on the side since she is vegetarian. We left with our stomachs stuffed and, especially with the reasonable pricing, extremely happy. read more

See all

Went here with a couple friends last week. Like all other posts say, be very careful of wait times. The wait estimate is also a bit inaccurate. At 11:30, it gave us a 55-60 minute estimate. We got there in that time range, but still had to wait an extra 10 or 15 minutes before getting seated. Not a big deal for us, but could be for others. Our server was kind and friendly, and was very patient with us since none of us had eaten there before. I forgot what the others got, but I had gotten one of the hashes. We didn't have to wait long for our orders, and it tasted great. Some dishes seemed a bit overpriced, but some dishes also seemed like they had extremely good value. Will definitely come here again. read more

First Watch - Biscuits & gravy, million dollar bacon (seasonal menu item), and the Parma Skillet Hash. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Don't want to feel guilty for eating crappy brunch food on the weekends? Go here. Upon entering, you officially become a health freak. *MAKE A RESERVATION* We walked in thinking this place could not possibly be all that, but it is! It's no joke. We were told it was a 45-minute wait but God is good! The manager called on a certain party three times and with no response, their booth was given to us! We didn't even wait 10 minutes; we felt so blessed! MENU: Their menu is huuuge! So I asked for recommendations because the more options there are, the harder it is to choose. Plus, everything seems so good, fresh, and wholesome ingredients. The specials are the top recommendations but unfortunately, I wanted something super sweet and so I stuck with pancakes. Though my pancakes were sweet, they were multigrain pancakes with fresh berries and lemon curd. My companions had the other meals shown in the photos and the waiter was very flexible with substitutions. SERVICE: We took a pretty long time to place our order and halfway through we lost our waiter and another woman approached us to take our order. She was a "no-crap" kinda woman, she was in no mood for chit-chat or smiles. That turned us off for a second because we don't like changing servers like that, but not worth losing a star since we were having a great time with our friends to let that even bother us. This is definitely our happy place because of all of the above plus they have great surrounding stores and plenty parking! Oh happy day! read more

See all

My third time going and this place is amazing!! I ordered the skillet hash (market), the market veggie sandwich, the sweet honey pecan salad, and the chikichanga. To start off, this place is so veggie friendly and health conscious the market skillet hash is amazing and filling. The bread and jam that goes along with it is also very tasty! Each meal comes with a small container of fruits, and even the fruits are juicy and great. Although the market veggie and market skillet hash has the same name, the "market" taste is completely different! The market veggie sandwich is so great and has more of a cilantro flavor to it. The sweet honey pecan salad had very good pecans and tasted amazing with the avocado bites. However, it was a little too sweet for me. The chikichanga was also amazing and very flavorful. The avocado toast For $10 I had last time was also very delicious and I still craved it again, but I think it is a little pricey. Overall, first watch's food and service has never let me down in the plenty of times I have gone and still remains the number one place I take all my friends to! Highly recommend the place!! read more

See all

I grew up going to these locations in Florida and it was great to see that it's been able to expand up here. They've gone through a menu makeover in the past 5 years that has really upped their game. Big portion sizes and lots of options to choose from. read more

Great place to go get brunch! I have been going to First Watch for a long time and their meals always impress! I love all of their fun specials and there's something for everyone on the menu. Sunday mornings are crazy there so if you decide to go then, make sure to get the app "No wait guest" to put your name on the wait list (make sure to check in when you arrive)! My meal: Market hash with poached eggs which is incredible and the Million dollar bacon special which is the best way to start brunch! read more

First Watch - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

See all

Located near the Ulta in the Fair City Mall shopping area, First Watch can easily be missed. I walked by this restaurant so many times because I thought it had some kind of gimmicky weight loss connection... I guess the name reminded me of Weight Watchers! However, First Watch is just a normal sit-down breakfast joint where you can get quality, fresh breakfast/brunch at an affordable price. Just looking at the food makes me feel better than when I eat at IHOP - the colors are brighter and everything looks so much healthier! Some of my favorite things to order are the Tri-athlete and the chicken pesto quinoa power bowl. It gets crowded on the weekends, and you can usually expect at least a 30 min wait if you show up spontaneously. read more

I come here every couple weeks, because brunch was so good. Today was my first time ordering to go and well to start I was already kind of upset because the lady I was ordering with let me know the soup of the day was a type of chili, after 15 minutes she calls me saying they ran out which was whatever, fine. I ate most of my food, and come to find out I see a HAIRBALL INSIDE MY PANCAKE. Literally had to pull my pancake apart and take it out. It was HUGE. Please stay aware from any pancakes you might get because you might get a piece of hairball inside... read more

First Watch - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

I love having brunch there as they have a big variety of food for everyone. Also their drink is the best either hot or cold my favorite is kale tonic. I usually ordered blueberry muffin cakes and the super bowl with pouched eggs. The only down is that during the weekend don't expect a good service by staff as they are very busy and trying to serve everyone. I would gave it 5 stars if they hire more staff and extend their working hours. read more

Never disappoints. From the ultra-creative power juice (mine with ginger and turmeric) to the perfectly poached eggs atop my Benedict, to the friendly and experienced service, very good! read more

Uh no. Did I say no? So many other better breakfast places in the area. I need twelve more characters. Hard no for me dog.

The best brunch restaurant in NOVA!!! Soo yummmm!!! Download their APP and make a reservation before you go on the weekends!!! read more

Food was delicious and they took care of our food allergies. We ate breakfast here 3 days in a row.

This is a lively place for breakfast and brunch with a menu that is brimming with both healthy and indulgent items! We had a 45 minute wait for a table but I honestly feel it was worth the wait. (Plus there are plenty of shops to kill time in around the resturant.) I ordered the power breakfast bowl which was wonderful. So good in fact that I will have a hard time not ordering it again when I return! I also loved the bread - filled with texture, it had lots of seeds and grains and was delicious. The rest of my party felt equally good about their meals. All in all a great experience. On the downside, if there is one, it was a bit loud in the resturant so if you are looking for a quite cozy place this is not it. read more

See all

Came here again last weekend for a late breakfast with the wife. It was later in the day than we usually go and about 930 by the time we got here; which of course on a weekend means LONG wait times; not being shy we opted for the community table (which was great the first time we sat here) however this time we initially sat next to a rude person who refused to slide their chair over a few inches to make sitting easier (some real manspreading going on -_-) the other couple next to us were polite and nice community table guests. The couple that replaced the nice couple was loud and a bit condescending to the wait staff. I have no idea why people act better than other people; I don't know that I ever will, but this community table experience left a lot to be desired. We decided we'd never sit at the community table again; we'd either wait, take our food to go or go somewhere else to eat. On to the food... omg!! I can't even begin to describe how much we like this place! My wife is now adding lemon to her avocado toast and loving it! She had some sort of kale juice that she said was delicious (I wouldn't know I avoid most food items that are green and could be considered healthy). I've had the waffle, French roast and pancakes here and they are all delicious!! Actually of the five or six times we've been here we've never had anything that wasn't delicious!! We heard that there is an app (or a way to call ahead) which could save you some wait time... coming during peak brunch hours isn't the best idea but the food is so good!! If you're looking for a place to grab a tasty breakfast swing by First Watch!! read more

See all

After posting this, First Watch contacted me and issued a refund. They went above and beyond.

I love First Watch. I do not feel guilty about eating the entire dish so cleanly because they look so healthy. My recommendation: 1. Avocado Toast 2. Tri-Athlete 3. Morning Meditation There are plenty of tables and parking spots :) read more

First Watch - Look at that avocado toast! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

The blueberry pancakes at this spot are unparalleled - they're not only huge but incredibly delicious. The service is quick and top-notch.