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    First Watch

    3.9 (153 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 2:30 pm

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    FIRST WATCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - First Watch

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    Biscuits and gravy with grits
    Jeannette A.

    We've been here one other time and it was really good so we came back. Celebrating my husband's birthday. He had biscuits and gravy with grits and I had breakfast tacos with grilled breakfast potatoes. Yum!

    Pomegranate Sunrise
    Catherine J.

    I've never left disappointed or hungry. I like to try different things each visit. This trip I indulged in the BARBACOA CHILAQUILES BREAKFAST BOWL. It was extremely flavorful. Perfect balance of spices to me. Loved the crunch of the tortilla chips with the flavor of the meat, the Cotija cheese and fresh avocado balanced out the salsa roja. Their new Mango Passion Palmer was a great drink to pair with the meal as well. It wasn't too ginger-ry nor too sweet. As always, service did not disappoint. Attentive and friendly even in the busy environment. We arrived around 10:30am on a Sunday and it was PACKED but only waited about 30 minutes, just as the host quoted. This staff can truly handle the rush and the cooks COOK. Food is just wonderful. Keep it up!

    Farmhouse Hash
    Austin L.

    been to many first watch locations and they never disappoint! always consistent with food and staff were super friendly. we ordered the smoked salmon eggs benedict, farmhouse hash, and the shrimp and grits. the smoked salmon was great and the potatoes are probably the best part of the meal! the hash was delicious was well. the shrimp and grits were good but the grits could've used more salt for my taste. still delicious nonetheless. i would come again to this location in the future. first watch is a great place for breakfast. i recommend getting on their waitlist to avoid long wait times too.

    Pumpkin pancakes

    Hadn't eaten at first watch in a long time. Pumpkin pancake breakfast here was unfortunately not great. Service and atmosphere remained good. Just too bad that the pancakes didn't have any pumpkin flavor at all. Had the right color though. Makes you wonder. Disappointed. Just regular ol' pancakes.

    Biscuits & Turkey Sausage Gravy With Eggs
    Elliot O.

    First Watch was an okay experience. The environment was nice, and the menu was well-organized with calorie counts, which was helpful. Our waiter, Walter, did a great job. I ordered the Biscuits & Turkey Sausage Gravy with eggs--it was decent but nothing special. I did appreciate the use of marine biodegradable straws, but for some reason, they gave us three coffee pots, which was unnecessary. Overall, it was fine, but nothing that really stood out.

    Strawberry Dolce De Leche French Toast
    Dee M.

    The service was great. Food was edible, but there was nothing to write home or brag about. We ordered a waffle on the side and were charged $10.69 ... even after we asked to have it instead of a side item. There weren't too many options for those who do not eat meat. I ordered strawberry Dolce de Leche French Toast, and they were out of Challah bread. I was so disappointed but gave it a go with their standard bread. It was a touch rubbery. In all fairness, it was Father's Day, and they were swamped, but the food shouldn't suffer. The service was wonderful!

    Smoked Salmon Tzatziki Toast
    Mike B.

    Another visit to the local First Watch. It's a little lengthier wait because there are fewer tables due to COVID precautions. Food is still good and service crisp. Shrimp & Grits is a unique interpretation of the dish. Sauteed shrimp, onions, peppers, andouille sausage and roasted tomatoes are served over the top of a bed of cheesy grits. With a slice of buttered toasted ciabatta bread on the side. I'm not sure if the grits are intentionally lukewarm or if that's whole idea, but took away a little from the experience. It was tasty, tho! The frittata rustica was on-point. A kale, mushroom, tomato & onion infused omelet topped with 2 kinds of melted cheese. Delicious! Lots of choices for breakfast - First Watch is a solid competitor. Don't forget to call ahead and put your name on the list. Big timesaver.

    Juice
    Sahib G.

    After hearing a lot of good things about First Watch, I decided to give it a try. We went for Brunch on a Sunday at the Wake Forest location. It was packed! We started off with some juice. I got the Watermelon Wake up and it was really refreshing. For my Entrée, I got the Smoked Salmon and Roasted Vegetable Frittata. I was not impressed with it at all. First of all, the salmon in the frittata was namesake. It only had 2 pieces of Salmon in it. The Frittata was all onions and tomatoes. Other items that we got were the million dollar bacon, power wrap, veggie burger, farmhouse skillet hash & a chocolate chip pancake. My favorite was the Million Dollar Bacon. It is a MUST try!! I'll definitely go back again to try something else.

    This is what I expected but...
    Jim P.

    I got about the size food serving from what was pictured in their promo of the Elote Mexican Corn Street Hash. It was good but the price for the amount, not so much. I got what I'd consider a half entree compared to that picture. Mostly potato's. I also tried their $8 Bloody Mary. It too was really delicious but very small for the price.

    Salmon and vegetable frittata and potatoes
    Ashleigh F.

    This is my first time at this particular First Watch location. The business is located in a plaza right across from a bank drive through exit so vehicles are exiting in the same area where you are trying to park. So you may have some issues getting in and out of the area. There is outdoor and indoor seating at the business. The tables were pretty full with people sitting very close inside of the business. We chose to sit outside in the patio area of the business. The seating was more spaced out in the area. However where we were seated was close to the front door so some patrons waited close to our table and there was a lot of traffic passing by. Our server came over and brought us water and lemons. She came by a short time later and took our food order. I ordered the salmon and vegetable frittata. The frittata comes with a salad and ciabatta bread. I chose to get potatoes and the gluten free bread instead. Our food was brought out in a timely manner. The food was good. After bringing us our food the server did not check on us at all for an extended period. Nor did she ask us if we needed anything or refill our drinks. We stayed at the restaurant for an extended period of time and did not see the server again until she brought over our bill without us asking for it. After paying for the bill I noticed that I was charged for a coffee that neither one of us ordered. The staff removed the charge from my bill without any issue. I would probably go to another location the next time I want to dine at First Watch.

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    3 years ago

    Sam was awesome today and the food was yummy as always! love First Watch Wake Forest

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    2 years ago

    During our visit today to First Watch we had amazing service! the food came out perfectly, it was all very clean and very friendly staff!

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    2 years ago

    Food was excellent! And the server was great. My 7 year old granddaughter loved the waffles...Best she ever had.

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    4 years ago

    I waited an hour and a half for a cold omelet and veggies. Don't recommend taking out in this place, they dont really pay attention to you.

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    4 years ago

    Samantha did a wonderful job!! Very attentive and polite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    Page 2 of 4

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    Over the Falls

    Over the Falls

    4.2
    (756 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    We live in North Raleigh but regularly do our shopping in Wake Forest because it's so convenient,…read moreand once we're there, everything is close by, including lunch. The two of us eat at Over the Falls regularly and always enjoy it. I'm honestly surprised I hadn't written a review before. Lunch for two came to $65.80 + tax and tip, and there was more than enough food. I ordered one of my two favorites: the Ahi Tuna Pita (the other favorite is the blue cheese burger). I paired it with a side salad and blue cheese dressing, plus an unsweetened iced tea with lemon. My wife ordered The Barrel, their Philly cheesesteak, with a side of sweet potato fries. We also shared an order of house-made potato skins. It was far too much food, in a good way, and we took plenty home. Service was outstanding and truly a team effort. One moment stood out: when my wife hesitated to ask for sour cream for the potato skins, our server immediately said, "It's just 15 steps, let me get it for you." That small gesture made a big difference. The rest of the team was equally warm, friendly, and attentive. The ambiance works perfectly for us, lively, busy, and welcoming without feeling chaotic. I would be confident ordering virtually anything from the menu. We'll keep coming back.

    Outstanding Wake Forest Eatery…read more Over the Falls features award-winning Specialty Salads, Sandwiches, Burgers, Pizza, Wings & Entrees; plus 12 Craft Draft Beers along with an Extensive Bourbon List, Handcrafted Cocktails & Mules. It's always crowded, does not accept reservations and does not have a bar or inside waiting area. You must register with the hostess, then wait outside (or in your car) until you receive a text that your table is ready. While this is inconvenient and unpleasant, the mouthwatering food is worth the trouble. One of our favorites is the Three Sisters Salad- which includes a generous scoop of either House-made Chicken Salad, Avocado Chicken Salad or Tuna Salad (we chose the Avocado), plus a large mound of Broccoli Salad, Fresh Fruit and a Flakey Honey-drizzled Croissant. Another winner was the Flash-fried Calamari & Banana Peppers. The substantial serving of Rhode Island Calamari was crispy, oh so tender and perfectly seasoned - with Thai Chili and Marinara dipping sauces. We also recommend the Cali Pastrami Sandwich and the Bacon & Cheddar Cheeseburger. Both come with a Pickle & either House-Made Potato Chips, Tortilla Chips, French Fries, Macaroni Salad or Cole Slaw. The NY Navel Pastrami was topped with Fried Onions, Habanero Jack Cheese, Chipotle Mayo and Avocado and piled high on a flaky, chewy golden brown Pretzel Roll. The big juicy Burger included Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion and several slices of crispy Bacon.

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    Over the Falls
    Beef on Weck
    Beef on Weck
    Bourbon flight

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    Bourbon flight
    Farm Table

    Farm Table

    3.9
    (304 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    I don't know it's GREAT...lot of people using the word "great"...it was all right. The dishes…read morerotate from what I understand so speaking on specific dishes seems pointless. We had one app (tuna poke nachos if you must know) that were very good, but everything else was sort of mid. The ideas are good...execution comes across a bit flaccid. No bold flavors, only bold ideas. Draft beer selection was definitely good. Mixed drinks tasted fresh (no sour mix etc) and the ambience was welcoming and chill. Staff were all nice. Place seemed clean. Flavor Score: 3 Experience Overall : 4

    Easily one of the best restaurants we've been to in the area! Had a family birthday celebration…read morehere and it was an amazingly great experience! Our server, Dawn, was easily one best servers I've had in a long time. Knowledgeable about the menu, made a point to explain everything and no questions were too obscure. We had a variety of dishes, and out of everything the pork schnitzel wasn't really a schnitzel if you've ever had one in Germany, it was more like a breaded, fried bone-in pork chop, really good but not a traditional schnitzel. The asparagus, the risotto, the pasta, the chicken were all absolutely superior. The stars were the appetizers, especially the kung pao fried Brussels, those are a meal by themselves, some of the best I've ever had! The fried burrata cheese, worth the drive to Wake Forest. Their Cherry cobbler one word: YUM! The Farm Table is a roomy restaurant with tables well suited for family style dining and while a bit loud, certainly not uncomfortably so Totally recommended and thank me later for those Brussel Sprouts!

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    Farm Table
    Dinner w KC, Whit and Avery. WF, NC 3/24
    Dinner w KC, Whit and Avery. WF, NC 3/24
    Rosamary grapefruit refresher cocktail

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    Rosamary grapefruit refresher cocktail
    El Chapin - Wake Forest

    El Chapin - Wake Forest

    4.7
    (37 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    First time visiting. Food is authentic. I had the Sopa de Mariscos; was very good. Definitely…read morewill return to try other items on the menu.

    We live in North Raleigh, so it's about a 25-minute drive to Wake Forest. The upside is that once…read moreyou're there, shopping and dining are all close together--making it a convenient outing. After running errands, we drove just six minutes to El Chapin, a Guatemalan restaurant. Forget Tex-Mex--this is a completely different Latin cuisine experience. The two of us spent $76 (including tax and tip), but we intentionally ordered extra to take home leftovers. Parking was easy, right out front, and the restaurant itself is spacious. Since we arrived just a few minutes after opening, we had the place to ourselves at first and were seated immediately. Service was prompt and very helpful--the server even suggested we might have ordered too much food (he was right, but we didn't mind!). Here's what we tried: Plato Chorizo y Longaniza - a sausage platter with salad, rice, refried black beans, and two delicious housemade corn tortillas. Pollo Adobado - marinated chicken with rice, salad, refried black beans and two housemade corn tortillas . Ceviche de Camarón - fresh and tangy, though light on shrimp, which tasted a bit tough Fried Plantains - perfectly done, sweet, and satisfying. Plus, I had an unsweetened iced tea with lemon. The highlights for me were the flavorful rice (with vegetables mixed in, including carrots and squash), the marinated chicken, and the sausages. The plantains were also excellent. The ceviche had great flavor but could've used more shrimp. The only miss for me was the salad--generous in portion but iceberg-based, so a bit bland. Overall, the food was fresh, flavorful, not heavy or greasy, and we left with enough for another one or two meals. We'll definitely be back.

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    Chorizo sausage
    Chorizo sausage
    Breakfast
    Breakfast
    Cocktails

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    Cocktails
    Norse Brewing Company

    Norse Brewing Company

    4.0
    (154 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    3 years later and this is still our favorite restaurant in Wake Forest. The recipes have never…read morechanged and the staff are still amazing as ever. We have been here twice in the past two weeks to say our goodbyes to friends as we are moving out of state. We will truly miss Norse Brewery. You really cannot go wrong with anything you order. Our favorite dish is, of course, the Viking Burger paired with duck fat fries and the Frikadellar to share. The Mango Hefeweizen and mango margaritas are delicious drinks as well. Whether you sit inside or out, you will feel cozy and relaxed while you eat delicious food!

    We ate here about 3 years ago - before we moved here - and it was outside behind the eatery, with…read moretables under a shaded area - food was awesome then, and we're happy to be back dining here as WF residents! The Norwegian-inspired menu is full of hearty and flavorful items. Our opener of Loaded Beer-Cheese Tots paired with a couple of co-owner/Brewmaster Brad Wynn's brewed on-site beers was heavenly. You MUST sample several of his creations, and take a moment to see the incredible brewery that is a huge part of the experience - his wife Lynn gave us a quick and amazing tour of the brewery, see pics. I had the Viking Burger, a carnivorian delight made from elk, bison, boar and wagyu meats and a half Norwegian salad that had us swooning with pleasure - a full salad would be a satisfying main vegetarian entree. Paul's Wisconsin Brat was so good, gonna hafta to have that during our next visit. The award-winning structure is a joy - 2 levels, dog-welcoming al fresco dining available front and back - and the downstairs bar where regular events occur - just amazing! Regular events include Thursday Night Trivia, as well as stand-up comedy and murder mystery nights. An ongoing calendar of events that are easy on the pocket, making a full night of food and fun for all. Check their website - wakeforest.norsebrewingco.com - for all the details. Another downtown Wake Forest must for locals and travelers alike - Paul and I will be regulars, I can tell you that! Check it out some weeknight, you'll be glad you did‼

    Photos
    Beer flight
    Beer flight
    Norse Brewing Company
    Norse Brewing Company

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    First Watch - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026

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