First Watch — Restaurant in Reston

Updated review: Another Sunday breakfast, this time a table for 2. Wait time was as quoted and about 30 mins for a Sunday around noon. My husband had the traditional breakfast with over easy eggs, potatoes, ham and sides of grits and 1 biscuit & gravy. This visit the biscuit & gravy was really good! It seems they cut a biscuit in half and toast it and then pour gravy on top and it was quite tasty. Off the new fall menu I had the maple bacon croissant sandwich which is delicious! The combo of sausage and maple with the apricot jam on a buttery croissant is fantastic. Food was excellent this visit thankfully because the service was awful. Once seated we weren’t greeted for 10 minutes. Food took over 1/2 an hour to arrive. Server was very apologetic for both the late greeting and acknowledged it took a really long time for our food. Then she was never to be seen again except in passing. No clearing of plates or glasses and we waited almost 15 minutes after finishing our meal for her to come back to our table. I got the blazing dragon juice drink which was very good and my husband had coffee and OJ but she never brought the water to our table at all. All in all, great food and check was $47 after using free entree promo but sadly the service is hugely lacking in comparison. We will go back for the food but would bring my water bottle in with me next time

August 17, 2025 - Went for breakfast on a Sunday morning. Expect a wait on the weekends but if you use their app you can join the waitlist. It tells you how many parties are in front of you in line. Was quoted 50 minutes and we were notified in about 45 that our table was ready. Restaurant is bright and clean, servers friendly and efficient. Million Dollar Bloody Mary was a perfect starter! Coffee is good, OJ is really good. My daughter had the chocolate chip pancakes and while the stack is only 2 they are delicious and incredibly filling. I ordered the chickichanga and it was also a generous portion and very tasty! Large chunks of chicken and their seasoned potatoes are a must have! Biscuit with gravy is unimpressive but all the food we ordered arrived swiftly, hot and it was an overall great breakfast. Will...

Alright brunch lovers, gather ’round—because I’ve now been to First Watch twice and let me tell you, it’s bringing some sunshine to the breakfast scene. It’s got that fresh, just-moved-in feel (because, well, it has), and both times I’ve been—once chilling in the outside bar, once inside the main restaurant—the vibe has been just right. Relaxed, breezy, like the kind of place where you want to linger a little longer over your coffee.

Let’s talk food, because obviously.

The first time around? Solid. But here’s the thing—it really depends on what you order. This place isn’t a one-size-fits-all brunch fest, it’s more of a “pick your personality” kind of menu. And I love that… mostly. Would be great if the servers gave a bit more flair with it though. Like, throw in a “great choice!” or “ooh, have you tried this with a side of sunshine?” Something to elevate the experience from “pleasant” to “I want to move in and name my first child after the chef.”

Now, avocado toast. We need to talk. I love avo. Truly. But what landed on my plate was basically the Mount Everest of smashed avocado. It was… a lot. Like, guac-level coverage. I don’t need to become one with the avocado, just flirt with it a little, you know?

BUT—here comes the good stuff. The Traditional Breakfast? Classic. Comforting. Everything you want on a lazy weekend morning. And whatever you do, upgrade to the Million Dollar Potatoes. Don’t think. Just do it. They’re crispy, rich, perfectly seasoned, and honestly? Worth every fictional million.

The Chickichanga (yes, it’s fun to say and even more fun to eat) was a spicy little surprise. So good. Full of flavour, and exactly what you’d want if you woke up with a craving for something bold and brunchy.

So here’s the verdict: First Watch is off to a great start. It’s got the chill vibes, tasty menu highlights, and a whole lot of potential. With a little extra sparkle in the service and a gentle hand on the avocado, it could be the go-to brunch spot.

Will I be back? Absolutely. And I’ll be sitting outside, sipping my coffee, and mentally composing love letters to...

Opened about 2 months ago. Clean, modern look with both indoor and outdoor seating. I got takeout once in June and have dined in a few times since (see pics). Good food, attentive service. Parking can get tight during peak lunch hours.

Why I deducted 2 stars: World, please allow me my Karen moment. In July, I ordered takeout—same dish I had before—but this time was hit with a surprise 50-cent "packaging supplies" fee. And yes, that gets taxed too. Definitely left a bad taste in my mouth (and not from the food).

I spoke to the manager, who said it was a directive from above, which started “a couple weeks ago,” and that “all other First Watch locations are doing the same.” Look—I get that costs are rising, and restaurants have to make adjustments. But operational expenses like packaging should be baked into menu prices, not tacked on as random fees.

Have I paid for a separate charge for pizza boxes when I order Domino’s? No. And not everyone has time to dine in. Why should I pay extra just to eat my food at home?

Also, I’m genuinely curious—if I dine in and ask for a to-go box for leftovers, does that get charged too? What if I decline utensils—do I get a discount? Will water cost extra next?

At the end of the day, it’s my money, and I’m choosing to spend it on the convenience and luxury of dining out. This nickel and diming over basics just doesn’t sit right with me.

Thanks for listening to...