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First Watch

3.5 (396 reviews)
Open 7:00 am - 2:30 pm

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Moderate noise
Hipster
Casual
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Recommended Reviews - First Watch

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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!

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

Holly B.

The food at First Watch is delicious! It was my first time at a First Watch but i love thst they offer so much variety. The service was great even while it was so busy. The ambiance is a nice bright and colorful cafe vibe. I love the huge portions and the love they put into each meal. The Belgian waffle was crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. The berry compote was so delicious.

Blazing Dragon...deliciosos

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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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Jennifer G.

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5 years ago

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Sharon F.

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9 months ago

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2 years ago

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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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5 years ago

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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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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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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Hanna F.

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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3 years 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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3 years ago

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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7 years ago

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Patty M.

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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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4 years ago

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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 - Meatloaf Sandwich (so good!)

The Food Market- Columbia

4.3(728 reviews)
2.5 mi
$$

The food was great and customer service was awesome. We went after church on a Sunday and arrived…read morejust before noon. There was a 30 minute wait though there were a lot of empty tables. Not sure if they were reserved or if the were short on servers. We decided to eat at the bar rather than wait on table seating. The bartenders were great and very knowledgeable about the menu. Our meals were delightful! The ambiance was great. They had a cool vibe.

The Food Market in Columbia was a really enjoyable dining experience overall and definitely a place…read morewe'd come back to. The food was fantastic from start to finish, and the menu had a great variety of options that made it hard to decide what to order. Everything felt creative without being overcomplicated, and you can tell a lot of thought goes into both the flavors and presentation. The drinks were also excellent. Great cocktail selection, well-balanced flavors, and everything came out quickly. It paired perfectly with the meal and added to the overall experience. Service throughout the night was friendly, attentive, and professional. Our server checked in often without being intrusive and made us feel very welcomed. The only downside was the seating location. Unfortunately, we were seated behind a large pillar, which limited our view of the restaurant and took away a little from the atmosphere. You could tell the space has a lively and energetic vibe, but our table placement made it harder to fully enjoy that part of the experience. That being said, the quality of the food and service easily outweighed that issue. We still had a great time and left impressed with the overall experience. The Food Market absolutely lives up to the hype, and we're already looking forward to coming back again and hopefully sitting in a different section next time.

Photos
The Food Market- Columbia - The main bar

The main bar

The Food Market- Columbia - Big Ole' Mozzarella Sticks

Big Ole' Mozzarella Sticks

The Food Market- Columbia - Octopus - appetizer

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Octopus - appetizer

Elliott’s Craft Kitchen - Crab dip

Elliott’s Craft Kitchen

3.9(37 reviews)
1.2 mi
$$

Brunch at Elliott's Craft Kitchen: A Promising Start With a Few Missed Beats…read more.. I recently visited Elliott's Craft Kitchen a fairly new spot that my group of four decided to try out for brunch. We were hoping for a fresh experience, but our visit turned out to be a mixed bag. Ambiance and First Impressions... When we arrived, the restaurant was surprisingly empty, which was a bit of a head-scratcher for brunch time. Even though we could hear staff chatting in the back, it took a good five to eight minutes before anyone came out to seat us. Once we were seated, we noticed the lighting was so dim that we actually had to whip out our phones just to read the menu. Not exactly the cozy brunch vibe we were hoping for. The Food: Hits and Misses... On to the food. We started with the cream of crab soup, which was just okay--nothing to write home about. The Brussels sprouts were a bit of a letdown. They were tiny and mostly just fried leaves rather than the hearty sprouts we expected. So if you're imagining those classic roasted Brussels sprouts, this wasn't it. The chicken and waffles were decent in flavor, although the presentation could have used some polish. The pita bread for the crab dip could have been toasted or something more firm and doesn't taste like it was immediately pulled from a bag. Surprisingly, the star of the meal ended up being something as simple as the French fries. They were really tasty and stood out more than some of the fancier dishes. Service and the Final Stretch... Our server was kind and polite, which we appreciated. But the big hiccup came at the end. Their payment system went down, and we ended up waiting over 30 minutes just to settle the bill. After sitting for about 15 minutes we informed our server that we would like to wait in the lounge area to get more comfortable as I understand.... things happen. Although while we waited for about 20 minutes there were no offers of water or anything to make the wait less awkward (not to mention asking for payment without even presenting a bill). It felt like they were more focused on turning the table than making sure we were okay during the delay. Although maybe it was an awkward start to the morning. I will say our server did her best to work things out with the technology she was given. So, I still provided her a fair tip, not her fault. Value for Money... In terms of pricing, it felt pretty average overall, but there were a few eyebrow-raisers. For instance, the avocado toasted croissant--topped with over-easy eggs, baby spinach, and Grana Padano--was $19, which felt a bit steep for what it was. In comparison, a pork schnitzel dish was around $21. So, while the pricing wasn't outrageous, some items definitely made me pause and question the value. Overall Thoughts... In the end, my experience at Elliott's Craft Kitchen was a bit of a letdown. So I'm surprised by some of the reviews (maybe because it was not dinner). While there were a few highlights (like the fries and a well-made Old Fashioned), the service hiccups and the underwhelming dishes mean I'd probably think twice before going back. Definitely not for brunch but I would really consider Dinner after some more reviews. Hopefully they'll iron out the kinks as they get more established.

Great addition to the restaurant park in Columbia…read more We finally had a rare date night and decided to try this new spot. It was not crowded at 5pm so we were served very quickly. We enjoyed hot wings and bao buns as our appetizer and shared a black and blue burger for our meal. My dark and stormy was a great pick as well. Helpful attentive staff.

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Elliott’s Craft Kitchen - Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts

Elliott’s Craft Kitchen - Thai chilli wings (a modification to the buffalo wings on the menu)

Thai chilli wings (a modification to the buffalo wings on the menu)

Elliott’s Craft Kitchen - Crispy crunch fries...

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Crispy crunch fries...

18th & 21st - Complimentary birthday dessert

18th & 21st

4.3(297 reviews)
2.7 mi
$$$

This is a fine jazz club tucked in behind a nice restaurant. Have yourself an evening of sublime…read moremusic, delicious foods, amazing crafted drinks, great bartenders, and good company at 18th & 21st. We made a last-minute decision to try for some of the nightly jazz (except Monday) at 18th & 21st on a Friday evening (Oct 2025), hip-ly named for the prohibition amendment and repeal :-) There's a free parking garage right across from the entrance of the building they share with a sister restaurant, Cured. We arrived in the bright seasonally-decorated welcoming lobby about 7:50pm. We ought to have made reservations, but in under 10min, the reception staff took us to the more intimate room towards the back where we were seated at at the bar, which is really what we wanted. When we arrived, the 6pm jazz band had just gone on break, so we felt free to chat with friendly regulars and with the bar staff. They have a changing list of ten craft beers from $6 to $21, plus one $6 non-alcoholic brew. Five of the $14-$35 per-glass vintage wines from their list of 17 are preserved with the "corovin" system that keeps air out, so they are never "corked". We focussed on their list of 11 crafted $13-$22 cocktails plus 5 non-alcoholic ones, all made with quality ingredients, each naming the staff member(s) (and guests) who formulated the recipe! We found Alex's $16 Fernetinez sublimely sweet: of bitter fernet amaro, Frederick-based locally-sourced award-winning McClintock One Last Time gin (exclusive for 18th&21st), smooth Luxardo liqueur, and a sweet vermouth. We loved the aroma and flavor of the classic Smoked Old Fashioned of bourbon from Kentucky's 10th-oldest distillery, Green River, moved to a mild well-rounded sweetness by brown sugar simple syrup, smoked in front of me by Mike (if i remember), with added richness from smoky bitters. They have a creative menu of $30 to $65 entrees, plus salads, small plates, apps, and sides, and they have a changing menu of small plates. We really hadn't planned on eating, but we couldn't resist. The $17 duck bao buns had thin tender filets with a sweet lightly-salty apricot-soy glaze and a tangy crunchy pickled cucumber slaw on a soft folded yeasted slightly-sweet white-flour bun. The $12 pair of fried fresh-tasting oysters were sweet and juicy with a light-flavored crunchy crust. They were so yummy, and easy to enjoy with our cocktails. Rodney Kelly's jazz band was excellent, playing with spirit, joking with each other and the audience, even staging a song or two with a skilled member of the restaurant staff. Afterwards we had brief moments with some of the band members, like an intimate jazz club. Later in the evening, i also had a Turkish Sunset, a Manhattan-variation created in a collaboration among the staff and a guest (Well-done Ozzie!). I love Elijah Craig, and wanted to try their dry toasted rye, with housemade allspice dram syrup, Small Hands grenadine, and bitters. By now, i felt very much at home with the staff, and when i learned that one of them had helped formulate this beverage, i confided that its amazing complexity was, for me, just a touch too dry. Alex (if i remember) considered the ingredients and the target flavors, and added just a touch of a sweet lemony liqueur, perfectly complimenting the recipe's flavors! Real-time crafting goes above and beyond, Thank you! (And when they next update the menu, maybe they'll have a custom option named for me :-)

Beautiful upscale jazz restaurant located with Cured. I recommend dressing nice but it's not…read morerequired. They normally have live jazz, whether it's a band or a single performer. Service is exemplary. Plenty of food options, and some lovely choices. The octopus appetizer is the only thing I wouldn't suggest as it was rubbery and lacked flavor.

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18th & 21st - Clover club & complicated parrot

Clover club & complicated parrot

18th & 21st - Potatoes

Potatoes

18th & 21st - Shrimp and grits

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Shrimp and grits

First Watch - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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