First Watch — Restaurant in Laurel

A Bright, Breakfast-Forward Favorite — First Watch in Laurel, MD Delivers Every Time

As a frequent guest, I’m consistently impressed by what First Watch in Laurel, Maryland brings to the table. It’s more than a restaurant—it’s a sunlit, welcoming spot that kickstarts mornings (or any craving) with fresh, crave-worthy dishes and standout hospitality.

What makes it special Fresh, vibrant menu: The seasonal, breakfast-centric menu is bright and creative. FromHasta-lit avocado toast to fluffy omelets and power bowls, every dish tastes fresh and well-balanced. The daily specials keep things exciting, so there’s always something new to try. Quality ingredients: You can taste the quality in every bite—real fruit in smoothies, crisp veggies, and thoughtfully sourced proteins. It feels like a healthy indulgence rather than a compromise. Outstanding service: The staff are friendly, attentive, and genuinely eager to ensure you have a great experience. They remember regulars, offer thoughtful recommendations, and check in just enough to feel cared for without rushing you. Welcoming atmosphere: The vibe is light, airy, and family-friendly, yet polished enough for a casual business brunch. It’s the kind of place where you can linger over a coffee, catch up with friends, or fuel a long day ahead. Quick, reliable timing: Even on busy weekend mornings, the pace stays steady—short wait times, accurate orders, and efficient kitchen service that respects your time.

Signature favorites I keep coming back for Freshly squeezed juices and coffee drinks that kickstart the day. Avocado toast beauties and veggie-forward dishes that feel healthy yet satisfying. Breakfast bowls and omelets loaded with color, texture, and bold flavors.

Ambience and experience Bright, modern design: Large windows, clean lines, and a cheerful color palette make the space feel uplifting and comfortable. Perfect for any occasion: A family breakfast, a casual date, or a productive brunch with friends—First Watch consistently fits the moment.

Practical tips Arrive early or be prepared for a short wait during peak weekend hours; the line moves quickly, and the staff keep things upbeat. Try the “build your own” style plates if you want customizable freshness and flavor balance. Hydrate with a flavorful juice or coffee before you dive into your meal; the beverages pair nicely with many menu choices. Check the daily specials board for limited-time items worth sampling.

Bottom line First Watch in Laurel, Maryland is a reliable, uplifting choice for breakfast, brunch, or a light lunch with a healthy twist. The combination of fresh ingredients, thoughtful menu options, and friendly service makes it a standout in the area. Highly recommended for quick mornings, weekend hangs, or any time you crave bright, flavorful, and...

Honestly, I hate to give this type of review and it may have just been a bad day for this restaurant. I have heard such good stories about this place from friends and so I decided today to try it out. I placed an online order at 11:35am and was told that it would be ready for pickup at 11:50am. I live right behind the Harris Teeter across from the restaurant so I'm not far away. I arrived at 12pm, a girl greeted me at the door and said my order was not ready but she would check on it. That was the last time I saw her. Two people, who both said they ordered after me, received their food before me. All I ordered were Belgian Waffles, eggs and bacon. When I kept asking about my food, the host nonchalantly said she would check (not the first girl who went to check). After everyone else who were waiting and come and gone I finally received my food at 12:25pm. It took almost an hour from ordering to get a Belgian Waffle, scrambled eggs and bacon.

Lastly, the bacon was tasty but the rest of the food wasn't even warm. If I have to wait that long for a simple breakfast and have to watch other people get food before me, even though I ordered before them, I'll just order from somewhere else then. Extremely disappointed for a first visit here, not sure about going back.

Update 2/12/2021 -- Placed an order on the First Watch app around 11:40am, requested Curbside Pickup service, and received an email saying it would be ready at 12:01pm for pickup. Also, received a text message saying that I would be contacted when my order was ready. I never received another text message. I went to pickup my order at 12:15pm, sat right outside the front door and waited for 5 minutes. No one ever came out with my food so I went inside and the hostess said my order was right on the table across from her. Why even have Curbside Pickup as an option on your app if the person still has to come inside to get their order??? The food is fine but the sevice...

HORRIBLE!!! I had never been here before and my mother, grandmother and I wanted to try something different. When we arrived it was very busy which is always a good sign. I wasn't thrown off at all about the hour wait and we all stood near the waiting area since it was chilly outside. Almost 70 minutes later we are still waiting on a table with countless others who came before us so my grandmother and I get up to see what is happening. The cashier proceeds to tells us there are 9 people ahead of us and we would be waiting for an hour and 15 minutes on top of the time we've already been waiting. The hostess who originally took my name down reappears and lies and says she told me that the wait was over an hour and that reservations are priorities and walk ins can be waiting anywhere from an hour all the way until close to be seated! She also told my grandmother if there are 20 reservations they will all still be seated before people who are just sitting and waiting regardless if they're on time or not! Once she sees we are displeased they magically have a table for us and seats us before people who were there almost a WHOLE HOUR before us. I ordered the market hash (which is vegetarian) and a blueberry pancake. My food was lukewarm so you knew it had been sitting and the hash had bacon and onions in it which is not said in the menu description of the dish so they're just throwing whatever into my food. The egg on top of the hash was also rubbery. We tell our waiter the issue and he comes back out and again we are lied to as he tells us it's potato skin, not bacon. I work in a professional kitchen and have for 10 years. I know the difference between potato skin and chopped bacon! NEVER eat here. You're better off waiting at Milk N Honey. At least the food is hot and correct when it gets to your table. Hell even IHOP would be better...