First Watch — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

I don't know how First Watch manage to be so consistent, state to state, city to city, but they are. This newest addition to Nashville's burgeoning breakfast scene (who knew you could eat something that wasn't drenched in gravy and grease for breakfast?) is a very welcome neighborhood hang. We've been to the other First Watch in this area, which is somewhat quieter (lower ceilings, better noise control), but with this right around the corner it's rapidly become our family's restaurant of choice for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Pros: Food as well as service are remarkably consistent. No matter how busy they are, waitrons act happy to see you. If something is wrong, it's fixed immediately, and if it takes too long (as happened with our well-done bacon order recently), they take it off the charges. The menu here is a bit smaller than other First Watches we've been to, but they'll make anything on the other menus if you request it. The managers are available for compliments as well as complaints. You can call ahead and warn them you'll be coming with a party of 4+, and they actually pay attention. In particular, we like the varied wait staff - varied ages, varied colors, varied "types". It's obvious people are hired for competence, skill sets, and enthusiasm. Their waffles are truly terrific, the salads big enough for two, and their Aztec cold brew is excellent. The cons: Noisy when full. I mean, noisy. 75-80 on a decibel meter, the equivalent of trying to have a conversation in the middle of a crowded street with cars on either side. The rear seating has a little bit of noise barriers on the low ceiling, but I suspect that's more because they had to, cosmetically. Lots of glass and straight angles. This could be an easy fix by installing a few decent sound barriers a la recording studios, and give the restaurant (and high, ping-y ceiling) a bit more warmth. As it is, very difficult to hold a conversation when the restaurant is even half full. Also, allergy awareness is not as high as at other FW's we've visited. My wife mentioned she was allergic to eggs and was assured the sandwich only had Dijonnaise, which contains mayo, which contains eggs. At several other FW's, a whole separate ticket is written for anyone with an allergy, and there's a big red line to warn the wait staff. Last, the cold brew coffee (not the "iced coffee", which comes with milk and sweetener already in) is delicious - among the best we've had (though we wish it was a bit stronger). However, at close to $5 a glass, with not even one free re-fill, it's a bit over the top. Even Starbucks is cheaper for the same size. But in general, a real pleasure to visit, and very glad they...

This morning, beneath the soft hush of an early Nashville sky, my family and I found ourselves at First Watch—a place where the ordinary is touched with something finer, something nearly sacred in its simplicity.

The Eggs Benedict, which I chose, came gently nestled atop a toasted English muffin, its hollandaise as golden as sunrise. When the yolk broke, it spilled like light across the plate, mingling with the smoked ham in a harmony so natural it seemed composed by the land itself. The seasoned potatoes, crisp and warm, felt like the sort of nourishment one might receive after a long journey home.

Across the table, biscuits sat blanketed in turkey sausage gravy—savory and spiced just so—reminding me of kitchens long gone, and the kind hands that once stirred pots on early mornings. There was the SoCal Hash, too, full of brightness: vegetables, avocado, bacon, and chicken—a bowl that seemed to gather the warmth of the West and serve it without pretense.

In my hands, a simple cup of black coffee—strong, unadorned, and quietly bold—offered the perfect companion to the morning’s fare. It warmed me in a way words seldom can, like a familiar voice at dawn.

But perhaps the sweetest note was struck by the Tri-Fecta, chosen by my daughter: a golden waffle, eggs, and crisp bacon. She smiled with each bite, and in that moment, the clatter of dishes and the hum of morning voices melted away.

First Watch is more than a breakfast place. It is a reminder that the small, well-done things—a meal, a table, a morning together—can linger in the heart longer than grander occasions. We left with full stomachs and quiet joy, as if the day had already given us its...

For our server Katie she deserves 5 stars how she handles herself during a busy Saturday brunch rush and handling issue that happened on this visit. My food was allegedly accidentally given away to a different table so I had to wait awhile to get my food to be made on the fly even though most of the people at my table were already close to finishing their food . Katie was extremely apologetic that my food arriving way later than everyone else and she had the manager comp the meal bring meal herself. Now this comment is the main reason I’m writing the review she came to the table and uttered the comment “here you go not sure what was wrong with the first plate but here is a new one” assuming I sent the meal back because I wasn’t satisfied with the meal(not even really communicating with Katie understanding why my meal was comped BECAUSE my plate was not given to me until that point ) so I thought the comment was rude and unprofessional for a manager say especially if she is the one supposed to be fixing the issue. My friend and I both got eggs Benedict and if you like runny eggs Benedict don’t order them here I did want to send them back but we were in a time crunch. I asked Katie if this location usually fully cooked the poached eggs (I hate the taste of boiled yoks) she said yes that it’s only the sauce is runny…. Since we were in a time crunch my friend and I didn’t send the eggs back and just ate the egg whites (since my meal was comped didn’t feel like it was necessary to to press the issue further). From now on if I go to other first watch locations I guess I need to ask if the egg yoks are runny before...