First Watch

Breakfast restaurant · Bowie

First Watch

Breakfast restaurant · Bowie

1

15471 Excelsior Dr, Bowie, MD 20716

Photos

First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null
First Watch by null

Highlights

First Watch is your go-to café chain for fresh, health-conscious breakfast and brunch, serving up hearty omelets, delectable pancakes, and vibrant salads.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Placeholder

15471 Excelsior Dr, Bowie, MD 20716 Get directions

firstwatch.com
@firstwatch

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

15471 Excelsior Dr, Bowie, MD 20716 Get directions

+1 301 352 3447
firstwatch.com
@firstwatch
𝕏
@first_watch

$10–20 · Menu

Features

wifi
payment credit card

Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@infatuation

"“I actually learned about First Watch from one of the Prince George's County Council people. They have great food over there as well. It's not the traditional stuff like IHOP does. They'll add specialty cheeses like gouda to some of the omelets. It's very tasty. First Watch is like Silver Diner. It's not really a party atmosphere, but the staff there is friendly and the people that come in are friendly and we end up knowing somebody.”" - tristiana hinton

Rare Essence's Guide To DC Pancake Houses
View Postcard for First Watch

TodayIsOurAdventure

Google
Food was good. Potatoes were inconsistent (some undercooked) and a bit too salty. Eggs cooked nice and sausage biscuit was good. Little bit of wait to get a table and no clear line. Server was friendly but didn't offer cooked nicest

Kala Bishop

Google
Food was really good. Came out in decent timing. Our server was attentive and made sure we had all we needed. We did wait a while to be seated or acknowledged when we walked in but it was made up for when we got seated.

Sharon Keyser

Google
It's a long wait to be seated, but the delicious food and great service make it worth it. My friend and I have visited several times, and we're sure to go again. This time we tried the Frittata Rustica and the Morning Market Veg. Yummy all around.

Veronica Romero

Google
I came here with my family for breakfast and everything was amazing. Our server recommended the Farmhouse Hash and it was absolutely delicious — paired perfectly with their fresh orange juice. The food came out quickly, and the staff was super friendly and attentive the entire time. Definitely coming back again soon!

sheba tucker

Google
The food was very well seasoned and the lemon ricotta pancakes were amazing. However, they are made from wheat, but were very moist.

Keshia J Henderson

Google
I hopped in for a quick breakfast. There was a 45 minute wait so I sat at the community table and met some wonderful people. My food was delicious and I even tried a new juice called "Morning Meditation"! A wonderful time was has had.

Sulaiman Fareed

Google
It's an awesome place to eat, I like the food that has been so far (pancakes, french toast, and seasonal entrees from earlier in the year). The seasonal menu keeps the menu with something different for me to try. Overall, I like the atmosphere, and the employees I have come across have been nice, and the food has been delicious so far.

C W

Google
We were seated pretty quickly. Our server was polite. Our food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. The ketchup bottle on the table was empty. I'm pretty much relegated to one item on the menu, because many of the offerings contain pork.

Tamara M.

Yelp
Not our first time at First Watch, but first time here at the Bowie location. No one likes a wait but it was suitable enough. Took about an hour for a table but service was quick and good. Food was great. Pancakes are always a great size. I think I am a strong eggs critic but the eggs were okay. Ambiance was cool. Lost my shades! :( Overall, First Watch always is good food with family feels. 8/10 Food-8/10 Service- 8/10 Ambiance- 10/10

Travis S.

Yelp
Today, I had a mixed experience . I got seated quickly, and the waitress was super attentive, which was great. However, my meal had a long black hair strings in it, which definitely put a damper on things. When I brought it to the manager's attention, he offered to take 50% off the bill instead of comping the entire meal. I appreciate the gesture, but I can't help but wonder: should customers still pay for food when there's a hair in it? Overall, decent service and ambiance but a major miss on the food quality. I might give it another shot, but the hair issue really needs to be addressed.

C H.

Yelp
I cannot say enough about the Morning Meditation...loooove. Altbough their items can be inconsistent, their fall menu never dosappoints. The Steak and Eggs Hasj was delish...soucj so I forgot to take a pic before I dug in, lol!!

Brisje G.

Yelp
This has seemed to become a regular thing for me when I need to charge my car. I stopped in around 12 today and was able to sit immediately since there was room at the community table. Davon was my server. He was very attentive and friendly. I ordered the trifecta with a lemon ricotta pancake. The initial order came out with a regular pancake but they fixed it right away. The food was nice, hot, and delicious. The community table is nice because you can connect with others. I did that while waiting on my food. Thanks for the great food & service First Watch

Lily L.

Yelp
First Watch is hands down my favorite spot for breakfast! Every time I visit, I leave completely satisfied. My absolute go-to dish is their **lemon ricotta pancakes** - they're fluffy, light, and the combination of flavors is spot on. Pair that with a side of their **million dollar bacon**, which is perfectly caramelized it's a match made in heaven. I also love starting my meal with their **morning meditation juice** - it's so refreshing and the perfect way to feel like I'm making a healthy choice without sacrificing flavor. The service is always friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxed yet inviting. If you're looking for a wholesome, delicious breakfast, First Watch never disappoints!

Elaine S.

Yelp
My favorite breakfast/brunch place - just plan ahead because they do get busy, especially on the weekends. I usually start off with a Kale Tonic, my happy and fresh healthy juice. But this morning they are featuring Red Medicine which consists of pomegranate, cranberry, black tea, honey & cinnamon. Our waitress was Ariana & she was excellent and a joy. I decide on the Tri-Fecta with eggs, a blueberry pancake & million dollar bacon, my fave. She also brought us water with lemons and extra napkins. I added my warm male syrup for my pancake. I really enjoy this First Watch and it always has a nice, relaxing vibe in here. Not too loud and all around pleasant morning experience.

Monica T.

Yelp
Came to meet friends from out of town. Anyplace with eggs/omelets are good for keto diet. Seated quickly, server was nice, but food quality and speed definitely not great. So 2 stars mostly due to the atmosphere and the server. Our friends were there well before us and ordered bacon and donuts, but those hadn't come out yet, with our friends even commenting they wondered where the order was. We all ordered, i ordered a ham and gueryere(?) Cheese, pretty basic no modifications except no sides. After a bit, server came back and said they couldn't make it because they had no ham. I said just make it without ham (seemed reasonable). But that must have been too much because my food was way delayed. 3 meals came out together (5 of us total), our turkey sauage then came out... then a extended wait (other order was a cheese omelet) by this time others are 1/2 done, sausage cold. Finally one omelet came but not mine. By the time mine came everyone was already done, sausage ice cold. Also the lack luster omelet was flat with a slice of cheese on top, maybe one inside if so couldn't tell. Tasteless, had to add lots of salt and hotsauce. Would have taken a picture but was starving (just finishing a fast). Would not go again if I have a choice. Coffee was good :)

A B.

Yelp
Food was good, ordered waffle, fried potatoes, bacon, buttered grits, and a cup of hot tea. The hostess and waitress provided good customer service, and the ambiance is nice as well.

Catherine Y.

Yelp
This is the best restaurant in Bowie area! The only meal my parents and I enjoyed. Delish salad and sandwiches.

Eunice I.

Yelp
I came here this past Easter Sunday with my boyfriend. They don't do traditional reservations, so you have to check in online to get a seat and confirm once you are at the restaurant. Then, they will text you once your table is ready. The process is pretty straightforward and we got a table pretty quickly after confirming we were there. Our original wait time was between 44 minutes to 1.20 hours, but we were seated within 20 minutes of that. I love the layout of the restaurant. It's a little tight up front, but once you move into the actual restaurant, it has open style farm house concept. I thought the service was really good, the prices were unbeatable for brunch, and the food was great. I got the French toast with a side of sausage, and the French toast was thick and fluffy. It had two large slices of bread that I couldn't finish. It also came with a blueberry compote on the side, and that was a good complement to the overall dish. My boyfriend got the healthy turkey omelette and he loved it. I also had a hot chocolate with oat milk and that was great as well. Apparently, this is a chain restaurant, so I am thinking of going to their Alexandria location for a birthday brunch with friends in a couple months.

Genie F.

Yelp
The food and service is top notch. Both items were fresh and delicious. Angel, our waitress provided excellent customer service and I love the restaurant's overall vibe. There's a varied menu with seasonal items with fairly large proportions and reasonable prices. I highly recommend First Watch. They open early at 7am and close at 2:30pm. So don't miss out!

Devon K.

Yelp
Food: was good, interesting menu creations, seasonal menu. The Brooklyn burger could've used more meat. Service: was amazing, our server was really good! Ambience: there's always a ping wait...no reservations, have to pay at the front.

Audra H.

Yelp
Had a wonderful experience at First Watch! We had about a 10 minute wait which wasn't too bad at all! The restaurant is very welcoming, warm and our server was amazing! He was always stopping by and checking on us which I appreciated. We ordered the million dollar bacon, breakfast tacos, and chocolate chip pancake! The bacon didn't necessarily wow me but it was definitely delicious and not over/under cooked! My husband LOVED the pancake and the side of pork sausage that came with it. I took a bite of the pork sausage and it was my favorite! So juicy and had almost a sweetness to it! YUM! My breakfast tacos were delicious!!! The chicken was slightly overcooked but it didn't ruin the dish! To e eggs were cooked perfectly and the chorizo was seasoned just right! When we are in the area again, I will definitely be stopping by to try something else!

Ashley C.

Yelp
I go to First Watch often in the weekends. I typically order the breakfast tacos or skillet hash with a lavender lemonade. The service is usually reasonable fast. Around 11AM on the weekends they usually start a waiting list.

Monique F.

Yelp
Now I see why people are willing to wait, ITS WORTH IT! This place was sooooo good! There was an hour and a half wait but they have a great idea which is a community table. Anyone can sit there so if there is a spot available it's all yours. I love the idea and it worked out since I was eating alone. I started with the purple haze drink and it was perfect! I actually wanted one to go lol I ordered the biscuits and gravy, it also comes with potatoes and eggs. While I was eating I decided to also order the million dollar bacon. It was a sweet honey bacon and I loved every bite. The ambiance with simple decor from what I could see. I really enjoyed this brunch experience and I can't wait to go back. It's affordable and that was a plus!

Stephen J.

Yelp
First Watch continues to check all the boxes. On a Friday before lunch time, the restaurant was packed. Wait time was 20 minutes and the customer service was inviting. I ordered the Sunny Seoul Hash which has shaved seared pork tossed with freshly seasoned potatoes, diced red bell peppers, kimchi, Cheddar and Monterey Jack. Perfect, but it gets even better! The hash is topped with two cage-free eggs cooked any style (I chose scrambled), scallions, sesame seeds and gochujang aioli. I paired the meal with the Purple Haze drink (Lemon, cane sugar, butterfly pea flower tea and a hint of lavender). What I loved the most about the Purple Haze was the herbaceous flavors and the purples hues displayed in the glass! This breakfast combination is a must have. Treat yourself!

Moni T.

Yelp
Service here was slow on regular Friday morning. The million-dollar bacon was delicious! I will be getting an order whenever I visit this establishment in the future. I ordered the works omelet without tomatoes, before bringing out my order they realized it had tomatoes and had to remake my order so it was a while before I got my food. For my drink, I got the tropical sunrise (see how pretty it is) with a boost of antioxidants and vitamins. Overall it's a good place and of course, I'll be back, but I'll go to the First Watch near me in Laurel.

Shandy R.

Yelp
Food is normally good. Avoid doing pick up orders if possible. I've experienced on at least 4-5 separate occasions missing items from my order. I've also experienced dietary requests being missed such as not using cheese. The employees are nice, it just doesn't seem like they take the time to understand what is being requested. Today an item was missing from my online order, I called, I was put on hold, only for them to tell me I could come back later to get the refund manually processed or to call corporate. I get that the rules have changed, but now due to their mistake (yet again), I have to either waste gas to return to the location or waste time on the phone with corporate...over $5 bacon. Silly right? Won't be back to this location.

Skip J.

Yelp
We are regulars at First Watch -- Bowie. We're very happy with the great service and the consistent quality of the food. Today we were waited on by Rashidah who was very friendly and an excellent, thoughtful waitress. Staff like her -- and there are numerous other terrific staff members -- are one of the reasons we keep coming back.

Belinda P.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite places to have breakfast and a brunch. The food is always fresh clean and delicious. Also a note. The service is outstanding, especially the last time I was there her name was Rashida. She was very attentive, professional friendly offered suggestions to my friend who had Never been before and overall the ambience is quite nice.

Angela N.

Yelp
The food and service was excellent, even during the very busy Black Friday rush. Rashidah was very attentive and kind. Thank you!

Misael A.

Yelp
Rashidah was a great server! It was our first time here with the family and the food was amazing. Will definitely come back.

Ben B.

Yelp
Good breakfast spot. I came here with my daughter for breakfast. Wasn't disappointed. The only reason why it's getting a "3" is because my second pancake didn't come out when I asked for it. Like the set up and the atmosphere. Great spot!

Michelle Y.

Yelp
We always seek out a First Watch for breakfast when in Florida, but I forgot there's one local. So when my dad offered to bring me something from there as I was home with a cold --- yes! Great idea!! So here's what I had: Market Veggie sandwich. House-roasted Crimini mushrooms, zucchini and spinach with basil pesto, mayo and Mozzarella cheese on grilled artisan whole grain. ***SUPERB!!! Let me say I am not a vegetarian but wanted something meatless. That sandwich was DELICIOUS!!! Also had a Morning Meditation Juice. This is always a winner. Full of flavor and nutrients. Now that this is back on my radar, will be dining there often.

Corey W G.

Yelp
This First Watch location has: Good food, great service, and a nice calm atmosphere. Would definitely eat here again!!!

Brian H.

Yelp
Big improvements from a year or so ago Customer service was fantastic today and the food was excellent Troy was very attentive and helpful. She even accommodated my little girls request for a pink/purple lemonade. Thank you Troy We had not been back in a year but live across the street. Now we will be coming back .

Kelley R.

Yelp
This place has gone downhill since the upgrade! Drive alllll the way from DC to this place only to find out their credit card machine is down and only accepting cash! You texted me about my place in line but you couldn't text me cash only? Food has been meh and so is the menu. It's time to improve overalllll not just the inside. Time to find a new spot.

I. Monet O.

Yelp
Service wasn't the best...food was good! Price was right on. I will go back!! The ambiance was that of a diner...not great but not bad.

Mickei M.

Yelp
Fresh, yummy and healthy options for breakfast/brunch. Except for the grits, I enjoyed my meal and I also had a coffee and specialty drink. The menu prices were fair and not absorbent as you see in many places now days. Would definitely recommend.

Cyril J.

Yelp
"Waffle and Sausage: This delightful breakfast combination exceeded my expectations, providing a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The waffle was expertly cooked to a golden brown, with a crisp exterior giving way to a fluffy interior. It was lightly sweetened and had a satisfying hint of vanilla, elevating the overall taste. The accompanying sausage was juicy and well-seasoned, offering a savory contrast to the waffle's sweetness. The combination of textures and flavors created a harmonious symphony in every bite. The warm maple syrup drizzled over the waffle brought a delightful sweetness that tied everything together. Overall, this waffle and sausage breakfast was a delightful and satisfying meal that I would eagerly enjoy again. It's a perfect choice for those looking for a hearty yet comforting breakfast option." Our server Angel was friendly, knowledgeable and witty. We'll definitely return.

Melissa E.

Yelp
I should have read the other reviews prior to ordering, however here we are. When this location first opened up, I had no complaints. Each time here, I chose to sit down, always crowded and loud and the wait was rather long but that was balanced out with how delicious the food was and fresh. Over the years, service has definitely changed. The portion sizes have gotten smaller and the quality of ingredients seems to have taken a hit. Today I ordered the following: Smoked salmon and veggie frittata with a side of seasoned potatoes: the salmon frittata in itself had a good flavor, but like another review pointed out, you do not taste herbs and for me, I barely had any tomatoes but the overall flavor profile was good. I can not comment on the seasoned potatoes because I was instead given a few pieces of lettuce without any lemon, dressing etc . Side of fruit: everything was fresh, however the portion size was very small considering the cost. Side of sliced avocado: very small portion, very small. Would I come back to this location, more than likely not. I will however give another location a fair chance before ruling out First Watch altogether.

Martin A.

Yelp
Had a great experience here. The food was good, restaurant clean and staff friendly. Shoutout to Jennifer the server who was very friendly, efficient and professional all while working with a trainee.

Joel B.

Yelp
First Watch is always a vibe. The food is always fresh and customer service is awesome. I always recommend any of the freshly made juices, the million dollar bacon, and French toast or waffle. If I don't want a waffle or French toast, I get the steel cut oatmeal with the grilled blueberry muffin or chocolate muffin.

Yasmine B.

Yelp
I went here over the weekend for my birthday. Side note: join their e-club! You get a free meal with the purchase of one... great way to save money! Okay. Back to the review. I came here over the weekend with two friends. Unlike many restaurants, they don't take reservations in advance. Instead, they have a daily waitlist. You can easily join the waitlist online instead of calling. I joined the waitlist 40 minutes prior to my arrival time (the waitlist was 45-1 hour wait). I checked in once I got there and I was told they would text me once the table was ready. I believe 15 minutes later it was ready. I ordered the Trifecta with eggs, chicken sausage, and a waffle. I also ordered a side of potatoes. The waffle is a standard Belgian waffle but it is the berry compote that makes it amazing! Ahhh, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Scrambled eggs were scrambled eggs... the chicken sausage patty was deeeeelicoous! The season potatoes unfortunately lacked seasoning. I had to add salt and pepper to it. And the oil they used or something didn't taste the freshest to me. So I deducted one star for that. I definitely say they are worth a try. Their menu had a lot of different options. When I return, I plan on trying the gravy biscuits with the turkey sausage.

Janie O.

Yelp
This place is absolutely phenomenal off. The hook portions are massive. The quality and freshness I came in for lunch had two for two it was $11 cheaper than McDonald's

Shereada S.

Yelp
I walked into First Watch around 12:30 pm to order Breakfast to take home. The restaurant was crowded and it appeared that the staff couldn't handle the number of people. The cooks definitely could not handle the amount of people. I ordered the multigrain pancakes, after waiting too long, they brought out pancakes with raisins and carrots. That is definitely not what I ordered!! I am definitely dissappinted.

Tri L.

Yelp
My wife and I decided to come here for brunch on Saturday. The wait was long, almost an hour, which was fine as we had the opportunity to check out the dollar store nearby. Once seated, we were able to put in our orders and get some much needed coffee. I ordered the Parma Skillet Hash (I can't resist breakfast food over potatoes) and my wife got the Trifecta with Bacon, Eggs, and a Waffle. However, it was a long delay, almost another 40 minutes, before I actually got my food. I finished my first hot cup of coffee before my plate even arrived and my wife was about halfway done with her meal so I was a bit disappointed with the service. We both did enjoy our food and the portion size was just right but the timing could have been better. Overall, pretty decent place as long as you have the time.

Cameron P.

Yelp
food is good service is so, so very nonchalant & matter of fact & not very timely staff & mangers included.

Tarsha S.

Yelp
This review is based off my door dash experience. The deliver was fast. My food was cold but good. The order was exactly how I asked it to be. The cost was okay just as much as IHOP but the food was better than IHOP. The taste of the food was Nice and fresh just like I was to cook my breakfast at home. I wish they gave me more condiments (only 1 syrup and 1 utensils set but I had 2 orders)

A B.

Yelp
My family and I went to First Watch in Bowie for breakfast. The wait wasn't long due to calling ahead. The hostess and servers were friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. The menu has a variety of breakfast items and drinks. They also serve alcoholic beverages as well. We ordered the French toast, waffle, the works omelette, oatmeal, and the million dollar bacon. All were served hot and the food was fresh and good. Coffee was very strong but the hibiscus juice was good. The restaurant was spacious and bright. Noise level is moderate. lI recommend going for breakfast or brunch. I plan to visit again soon.

Stacy M.

Yelp
Food is good but quickly gets expensive. In my opinion there are better cheaper options.

Mandy B.

Yelp
Horrible.. came here after church and the food was horrible. Slow service and inattentive staff. worst grits I ever had too.. I will not be back.

Brad S.

Yelp
First visit to first watch. The breakfast was outstanding. Ordered coffee, a chorizo chili omelette and a blueberry pancake. They offered us a bowl of different flavored creamers with the coffee, and meal was delicious. Omelette came with fresh pico de gallo, and my blueberry pancake had real blueberries, not just flavoring. Thumb way up!

Madeleine C.

Yelp
We usually stop in for breakfast but they also have lunch. I love the fresh squeezed juices!

Michelle W.

Yelp
We have come here so many times and each time we keep saying it's our last and like suckers we think it will be different and go back. The service was lackluster, the waitress had too many tables and didn't write anything down. She forgot our water, our sugar free syrup and when I asked for half and half she gave me a bowl of French vanilla and hazelnut cream instead. Our grits and bacon came first and 10 minutes later the rest came out cold as if it had been sitting around and someone forgot to bring it to us. The bacon looked it it had been soaked in a bowl of honey instead of a tiny drizzled on top. It could have been so good but all we tasted was honey. The new Blueberry muffin pancakes were cold and hard on the bottom. Not good at all and that's why I wanted to come. We had to wait over 5 minutes after we got our pancakes/French Toast to actually eat because our waitress forgot our sugar free syrup and by then the food was just way too cold and not good. We asked for containers and I was grossed out seeing the waitress walk around giving her other tables things with our containers under her arm. (The place where the food sits was literally tucked in her armpit) After getting 2 new under arm free containers we packed our uneaten food and left defeated. I have unsubscribed to all emails and will never return.

Michelle W.

Yelp
I love First Watch but unfortunately I do eat at this location anymore. There is a 90% chance that if you order to go, your food will not be ready at the pickup time. And if you eat in, you will wait 40 mins to be served. I try to take in account that there are staffing shortages however it's hard to justify spending your money there when you see the waiters standing around. My last straw was when I ordered the farmhouse hash to go and when I got to my destination, seeing 1/3 of the container filled. Now, I drive to the new Annapolis location for great food and efficient service.

Antoine H.

Yelp
When I picked up my Togo order today the lady at the front had the worst attitude I'll never go there again and make sure to check your order my potatoes were burned and not edible

Kimber V.

Yelp
First Watch, Bowie is on of my favorite breakfast spots. Parking was easy and there was no wait to be seated. We were promptly greeted by our server who took our drink order. I ordered a Spring menu butterfly pea flower drink. It was pretty purple color and tasty. Then I ordered my go to, shrimp and grits. They were good but I didn't really taste and cheese in the grits. My friend ordered coffee, million dollar bacon, and eggs Benedict. She enjoy her choices.

Brian S.

Yelp
Consistently good food; with seasonal updates that are healthy and well-prepared. Staff has been good, depending on how crowded it gets. Ambiance is busy, as each of the locations are crowded. Recommend to call ahead and get reservations, or go early enough to be willing to wait. Definitely a repeat