First Watch

When your breakfast begins with some million dollar bacon, you know you're going to be in for a good one—and this is actually a great one. We are in Hanover, Massachusetts, at a restaurant named First Watch. It’s a national chain, and this is their first location in New England, although they’re opening up many more. They do breakfast a little bit differently here: there are no fryolators and no microwaves. Everything is sourced fresh and made from scratch, and the results are beautifully flavorful.

First Watch originally opened in Pacific Grove, California back in 1983, and since then they’ve expanded to hundreds of locations across the United States. They call themselves a “daytime café,” specializing in breakfast, brunch, and lunch. It doesn’t taste like most breakfast restaurants, and it definitely doesn’t look like them either. Everything about this place has that farmhouse chic aesthetic—warm woods, high ceilings, and chalkboard menus. It feels like a comfortable, inviting living room. Even the water is served in old-fashioned milk bottles, which just adds to the charm.

If you ask me, there aren’t enough places that serve appetizers for breakfast—but they do here. You definitely need to try the Holy Donuts. These cinnamon-dusted cake donut holes come with both chocolate sauce and warm berry compote. They’re light and fluffy on the inside, almost like a fresh birthday cake. Dip them generously into that deep purple berry compote, and once you start, you won’t want to stop.

The signature dish at First Watch is the Million Dollar Bacon. This is bacon for true bacon lovers—four slices of thick-cut, hardwood-smoked bacon baked with brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne, and a drizzle of syrup and honey. It’s crispy around the edges and slightly tender in the middle. The balance of salty, smoky, spicy, and sweet makes every bite irresistible.

Because everything is made fresh daily, dishes like the avocado toast really stand out. It’s served on thick-cut whole grain artisan toast with a generous layer of smashed avocado and two basted cage-free eggs. If you want to take it up a notch, try the Elevated Breakfast Sandwich. This isn’t your typical bacon, egg, and cheese—it’s loaded with avocado, bacon, an over-easy egg, melted gruyère, mayo, and lemon-dressed arugula, all on a toasted brioche bun.

Eggs Benedict is always a go-to, and the version here is a standout. The Classic Benedict includes thinly sliced smoked ham, vine-ripened tomatoes, house-made hollandaise, and perfectly poached eggs served over toasted ciabatta. It even comes with a lemon-dressed mixed green salad—just in case you want to feel a little healthy.

Of course, sometimes breakfast is all about indulgence. The Belgian waffle is light and fluffy with a dusting of cinnamon sugar, just waiting for real maple syrup. As they say, waffles are just pancakes with abs—and this one is hard to resist.

For French toast lovers, the Tres Leches Strawberry French Toast is a must-try. Made with thick-cut challah, it’s griddled to perfection and topped with fresh strawberries, warm dulce de leche, whipped cream, and a spiced gingerbread cookie crumble. It’s rich, decadent, and absolutely delicious.

Pancakes are another highlight, especially the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. These are beautifully fluffy and topped with fresh strawberries and a generous dollop of lemon curd. Skip the syrup at first and dip each bite into that lemon curd for a bright, tangy kick—though adding maple syrup takes it to yet another level.

So whether you’re in the mood for breakfast, brunch, or lunch, if you want fresh, flavorful food in a relaxed, stylish setting, First Watch should be your first choice.