Overview of First Watch Hours in 2026, highlighting key statistics and trends in viewer engagement.

What time does First Watch open and close, and will it be open when you get there?

Most First Watch locations follow simple hours: 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch only. But here’s what many people don’t realize: the same First Watch hours can feel very different depending on when you visit. Early mornings are calm and quick, while late mornings can mean long waits, especially on weekends.

Check updated First Watch hours today for 2026, including opening and closing times, weekend schedule, and holiday hours. Learn the best time to visit and avoid long wait times.

First Watch Hours Today

If you want a fast answer, here are the standard First Watch hours:

Monday–Friday

7:00 AM

2:30 PM

Saturday

7:00 AM

2:30 PM

Sunday

7:00 AM

2:30 PM

What Time Does First Watch Open?

Most First Watch locations open at 7:00 AM.

Some busy city locations may open a little earlier, around 6:30 AM, especially in high-traffic areas.

This early start is part of their First Watch hours system, designed for people who prefer breakfast meetings or early mornings, or who want to avoid the weekend rush.

What Time Does First Watch Close?

Most locations close at 2:30 PM.

Yes, that’s early. And this is where many people make a mistake. They assume it stays open like other restaurants. But First Watch hours are different. There is no dinner service.

Is First Watch Open on Weekends?

Yes. Saturday and Sunday follow the same 7 AM to 2:30 PM schedule as weekdays. Weekend service runs the full menu from open to close.

That means you can enjoy breakfast, brunch, or lunch any day of the week without worrying about different weekend timings. Here is a quick overview:

Saturday

7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Very Busy

Sunday

7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Extremely Busy

First Watch Holiday Hours 2026

Most First Watch locations stay open almost all year. In fact, the First Watch hours remain the same for most holidays.

There are only two days when First Watch is fully closed:

  • Thanksgiving Day
  •  Christmas Day

That’s it.

On all other holidays, First Watch is usually open and follows normal daytime hours.

First Watch Holiday Schedule

New Year’s Day

Jan 1

OPEN

7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Easter Sunday

Apr 5

OPEN

7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Mother’s Day

May 10

OPEN

7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Memorial Day

May 25

OPEN

7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Father’s Day

Jun 21

OPEN

7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Independence Day

Jul 4

OPEN

7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Labor Day

Sep 7

OPEN

7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Thanksgiving

Nov 27

CLOSED

All day

Christmas Eve

Dec 24

OPEN

May close early (1:00 PM)

Christmas Day

Dec 25

CLOSED

All day

New Year’s Eve

Dec 31

OPEN

May close early (1:00 PM)

Important Things to Know

Even when First Watch is open, holidays can feel very different.

  • Mother’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year
  • Father’s Day is also extremely crowded
  • Wait times can reach 60–90 minutes during peak brunch hours
  • Most crowding happens between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM

Read Also: First Watch locations by State

Is First Watch open on Easter?

Yes, First Watch is usually open on Easter Sunday.

Most locations follow their regular First Watch hours (7:00 AM – 2:30 PM) even on Easter. However, some locations may open slightly later or run reduced hours depending on the city. Here is the Easter Hours Overview

Easter Sunday

Open (most locations)

7:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Note: While First Watch is open, Easter is one of the busiest days of the year. Many locations experience long wait times, especially between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM.

How to Check First Watch Hours Near You 

Most First Watch locations follow the same First Watch hours (7:00 AM – 2:30 PM), but slight differences can happen by city or holiday. That’s why it’s always best to confirm before you visit. Here are the easiest and most accurate ways to check/

First Watch Official Website (Most Accurate)

Go to the official site: firstwatch.com/locations

  • Search by city or ZIP code
  • Select your nearest restaurant
  • View exact opening and closing times

Tip: Holiday updates (like Thanksgiving or Christmas closures) appear here first.

Google Maps (Fastest Method)

Search: “First Watch near me.”

You will see:

  • Opening and closing times
  • Live “busy” indicators
  • Peak crowd predictions

Note: Google Maps is very fast, but sometimes First Watch hours may not update immediately during holidays, so double-check if it’s a special day.

First Watch Mobile App (Best for Real-Time Info)

Download the First Watch app on:

  • iOS
  • Android

Inside the app, you can:

  • Check the exact First Watch hours
  • See real-time wait times
  • Join the waitlist before arriving

Note: If you open the First Watch app at 9:30 AM on a Saturday, wait times can vary by location. Some restaurants may show around a 15-minute wait, while busier spots can show 45 minutes or more.

It’s always a good idea to check before you go so you can choose a less crowded location or adjust your timing during regular First Watch hours (7:00 AM – 2:30 PM) for a smoother visit.

Best Time to Visit First Watch

Want to actually enjoy your brunch instead of waiting on your phone for 40+ minutes?

Timing matters more than anything else, especially when it comes to First Watch hours (7:00 AM – 2:30 PM). Here’s a simple breakdown so you can pick the best time 

First Watch Crowd & Wait Time Guide

Weekdays

7:00 – 9:00 AM

Low

0–5 min

Business meetings, quick breakfast

Weekdays

9:00 – 11:30 AM

Moderate

5–10 min

Relaxed breakfast

Weekdays

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Busy

15–25 min

Lunch crowd

Weekdays

After 1:30 PM

Low

0–5 min

Late lunch, quiet visit

Saturday

Before 8:30 AM

Low

0–5 min

Early risers

Saturday

8:30 – 9:30 AM

Moderate

10–20 min

Easy brunch

Saturday

9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Peak

45–75 min

Use waitlist

Saturday

After 1:00 PM

Moderate

10–20 min

Late brunch

Sunday

Before 8:30 AM

Low

0–5 min

Peaceful breakfast

Sunday

8:30 – 9:30 AM

Moderate

15–25 min

Manageable crowd

Sunday

9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Peak chaos

55–90 min

Avoid if possible

Sunday

After 1:00 PM

Moderate

15–30 min

Clearing rush

First Watch Hours of Operation

First Watch is open every day for daytime dining, making it a popular spot for breakfast, brunch, and lunch.

Regular Operating Hours

  • Monday – Sunday: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM
  • Open daily with the same schedule across most locations

Service Details

  • Breakfast is served all day until closing
  • Brunch and lunch available throughout operating hours
  • Dine-in, takeout, and online ordering (availability may vary by location)

Holiday Closures

  • Closed on Thanksgiving Day
  • Closed on Christmas Day

First Watch Hours by State

First Watch now operates in 630+ locations across 32 U.S. states, and most restaurants follow the same standard First Watch hours: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM. Here are the most First watch state hours:

Florida (140 locations)

Florida has the largest First Watch presence and is also the company’s home state.

  • Standard hours: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM
  • Some Miami and Orlando locations open at 6:30 AM
  • Very busy during weekends and tourist season

Tip: Popular tourist cities often have long brunch wait times even early in the morning.

Texas (70 locations)

Texas has a strong footprint in major metro areas like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio.

  • Standard First Watch hours across most locations
  • Weekend brunch rush is extremely heavy
  • Downtown areas are usually more crowded than suburbs

Ohio (55 locations)

Ohio remains one of the most established markets for First Watch.

  • Consistent 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM hours
  • High weekend demand in Columbus and Cincinnati
  • Popular for family brunch visits

Arizona (38 locations)

Phoenix leads First Watch growth in Arizona.

  • Mostly standard hours
  • Some locations open at 6:30 AM
  • The winter season brings higher crowd levels

Pennsylvania, Georgia & Colorado (20–30+ locations each)

These states continue to expand with strong suburban and metro coverage.

  • Standard First Watch hours apply
  • City centers = longer wait times
  • Suburban areas = faster seating and service

Read Also: First watch the breakfast menu

Key Insight

Even though First Watch hours are almost identical nationwide, your experience depends more on location type than timing.

Downtown city

30–60 min

Very busy

Suburban area

10–20 min

Moderate

Small town

0–10 min

Fast service

Conclusion

First Watch hours are simple and easy to remember, but timing still makes a big difference in your experience. The restaurant is open from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM, serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch all day.

If you want a smooth visit with less waiting, go early in the morning or after the lunch rush. A little planning can help you enjoy your meal without long lines and make your visit much better.

FAQs

You can check your nearest First Watch hours in a few simple ways. The easiest option is to visit the official website at firstwatch.com/locations and search your city or ZIP code.

You can also use Google Maps by searching “First Watch near me” or open the First Watch mobile app for live updates. The official website is usually the most accurate, especially when there are holiday or special schedule changes.

The busiest time at First Watch is usually between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM. This is the main brunch rush when most people visit during standard First Watch hours. Weekends, especially Sundays, tend to be even more crowded, and wait times can increase during this period.

If you want to avoid waiting, the best time to visit is early morning right after opening, around 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM.

Another quieter time is after 1:30 PM when the lunch rush starts slowing down. These time slots usually offer faster seating and a more relaxed experience.

Yes, a few busy city locations may open earlier than the standard time. While most First Watch restaurants open at 7:00 AM, some high-traffic urban locations may start serving at 6:30 AM. However, the majority still follow the same opening time across the country.

First Watch does not offer traditional reservations. Instead, most locations use a walk-in system along with an online waitlist feature. In many cases, you can join the waitlist through the app before you arrive, which helps reduce waiting time during busy First Watch hours.

Yes, most First Watch locations are open on New Year’s Day and operate on regular hours. That means you can expect the same schedule of 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM at most restaurants, although it’s always a good idea to confirm your local branch.

Most First Watch locations are open daily from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM. These hours are the same for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, and the restaurant does not serve dinner. A few busy city locations may open slightly earlier, but the standard timing is consistent across most branches.

Yes, you can still order breakfast after 10:30 AM at First Watch.

Unlike many restaurants, First Watch does not switch from breakfast to lunch at a specific time. Instead, the full menu is available throughout all First Watch hours (7:00 AM – 2:30 PM).

Yes, in many cases you can still be seated, but it depends on how busy the location is. Since closing time is 2:30 PM, late arrivals may have limited seating.