First Watch — Restaurant in Sarasota

Looking for a great place to relax and enjoy a leisurely breakfast, sipping cup after endless cup of fresh brewed coffee while perusing the morning paper? Or perhaps you'd prefer a destination for your Saturday morning bicycle ride, or a place to gather with friends and family for a Sunday brunch? First Watch on Market Street in Lakewood Ranch is the place you've been looking for.

The staff are always friendly, the restaurant always tidy, and most importantly, the food is always excellent. Always may seem an exaggeration, but speaking from personal experience, it appears to be true. I've visited this particular Fist Watch on several occasions, and have never come away unsatisfied.DCIM100GOPRO

The decor is modern and earthy, with the touches (such as the flower-tipped pens at the cash register) that make First Watch unique. The seating is adequate, but this place fills up fast, so if you show up at peak hours, be prepared to wait, though usually no longer than fifteen minutes. By the way, the coffee and paper are free while you wait, and the seating in the waiting area is cozy, so you may not mind a bit of a pause before you are seated.

DCIM100GOPRO Since the restaurant is not open for dinner, the menu is centered on breakfast and brunch, with breakfast taking center stage. The keyword at First Watch is fresh, and the menu reflects that. Lighter fare with a healthy angle is done so well here that the yummy factor doesn't suffer. Oh, and by the way, they know how to make pancakes, too. I mean they really know how to make pancakes- light and fluffy, with a little crispy fringe around the edges....but I digress.

The healthier side menu features energy bowls, topped with either house made granola or Muesli, a Tri-Athlete egg white omelette, the Siesta Key cocktail, and other less filling choices that will power you up for an active day healthier-side-energy-bowlout exploring Lakewood Ranch's parks and trails.

More filling fare is also offered, with unique creations such as the Chickichanga, the Key West Crepe-Egg and several varieties of Frittata rounding out the menu. Traditional eggs, bacon or sausage and toast, with potatoes is also available. And don't forget those pancakes...

Although they serve (what I am sure are delicious) sandwiches and soups as well,I must admit to being breakfast biased when it comes to First Watch, but it's hard not to be.

Located just down from the Publix on Market Street, Lakewood Ranch's First Watch is already an institution, and you're sure to see a neighbor or two nearly ever time you stop in. There's a more than good chance you'll see me there, too. If you do, stop by the table and say hi, I would love to tell you more about why Lakewood Ranch is my home, and how I could help make it...

The best breakfast I’ve had since starting my vacation in Sarasota!

First Watch in Lakewood Ranch is a true gem for breakfast, brunch, and lunch—definitely worth the visit.

I ordered the shrimp and grits, and without question, they were the best I’ve ever tasted this side of New Orleans. The yellow grits were infused with a delightful mix of cheeses and drenched in a rich Cajun sauce. Absolutely superb. The blend of shrimp, sausage, bacon, and other meats made for a perfect, flavorful combination.

Alongside the grits came a slice of sourdough bread—hands down the best I’ve had in a long time.

Be sure to ask for Jayda as your waitress—she was incredible. Attentive, kind, and personable. The entire staff was warm, helpful, and made the experience even more enjoyable.

The restaurant is tucked inside a charming plaza in a beautiful neighborhood. Inside, the earthy tones and welcoming design immediately put you at ease and whet your appetite.

Now let’s talk coffee. I’m usually pretty critical when it comes to breakfast spot brews—they’re often forgettable, something we tolerate before heading to a real coffee shop. Not here.

The coffee at this First Watch was surprisingly excellent—smooth, flavorful, and freshly brewed. And to top it off, Jayda left a full thermal carafe at our table to enjoy. It’s been a long time since I’ve received that kind of service.

If you’re ever in Lakewood Ranch, FL, do yourself a favor and stop in. This place will...

Very disappointed in our experience today. We put our name down online with wait times of 30-45 min. We arrived and checked in within 10 min of putting our name down. As we were waiting for outdoor seating, we could watch as tables became available. About 45 min into our wait, we asked where we were in line as we saw another outdoor table was leaving and we were told we were next on the list. It took over 20 min from the time the other party left for the table to be cleaned even with us asking about why the table wouldn’t be cleaned. Even after that it took another 10 min for us to get seated and for a server to check it (now over 1 hour 15 min into our wait). We thought the disappointments would end there. Instead, for two of us they brought out the wrong order first and for the other one of us they forgot part of the order completely until the check was brought out and we told them we never received that item. They could’ve made a lot of this right by offering to comp part of the meal but instead they offered a half apology and a comment that they were short staffed. We get that but also saw many other customers get served in a timely manner with the right meal so taking responsibility for a poor experience would’ve gone a long way. The food was good but that was the only good aspect of today’s visit. We will not be coming back to this First...