You’re driving down 23rd Street in Panama City, and the parking lot near the corner is absolutely slammed. It’s 10:00 AM on a Tuesday. Most people are at work, or at least they should be, but there’s a crowd standing outside a building with a green awning. That’s First Watch Panama City FL for you. It isn’t just a restaurant. Honestly, it’s become a bit of a local ritual for the brunch-obsessed crowd in Bay County.
Some people call it a chain. Technically, they’re right. First Watch has hundreds of locations across the country. But the Panama City vibe feels different from the one you’d find in a sterile mall in suburban Ohio. It’s got that coastal, post-hurricane resilience baked into the walls. When you walk in, the smell of Million Dollar Bacon hits you immediately. It’s sweet. It’s smoky. It’s $10 for four slices of peppered pork glory, and somehow, nobody complains about the price because it's just that good.
What's the Big Deal with First Watch Panama City FL?
If you’ve lived in Panama City for a while, you know the breakfast scene used to be dominated by greasy spoons and Waffle Houses. Don't get me wrong; I love a scattered, smothered, and covered hashbrown as much as the next person. But First Watch filled a gap. People wanted kale. They wanted quinoa bowls. They wanted fresh-squeezed juice that didn't come out of a plastic carton with a peel-off foil lid.
The menu changes with the seasons. That’s their whole thing. They call it "Following the Sun." Right now, you might find something with carnitas or a specific type of heirloom tomato that only grows for three weeks in October. It keeps the regulars coming back because the menu isn't static. You aren't just staring at the same pancake combo for ten years straight.
The Famous Million Dollar Bacon
Let’s talk about the bacon. It’s the elephant in the room. They bake it with brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne, and a maple syrup drizzle. It sounds like a heart attack on a plate, but it’s the most popular side dish for a reason. Most people who visit First Watch Panama City FL for the first time order it because they saw it on Instagram. They stay for the Project 763 Coffee.
The coffee is actually a pretty cool story. They source it from Mujeres en Café, which is a group of female coffee growers in Huila, Colombia. It’s not just "diner coffee." It’s high-quality, specialty-grade stuff that actually supports the farmers directly. You get a whole pot for the table. It’s a nice touch that makes you feel less like a customer and more like a guest in someone’s kitchen.
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Timing Your Visit to Avoid the 23rd Street Traffic
Panama City traffic on 23rd Street is a special kind of nightmare. If you try to go to First Watch on a Sunday morning at 10:30 AM, you’re going to wait. A lot. Sometimes it's 45 minutes; sometimes it's an hour and a half. The lobby gets cramped. People start hovering near the host stand like seagulls at St. Andrews State Park.
Pro tip: Use the app.
Seriously. You can join the waitlist from your couch while you’re still in your pajamas. By the time you drive over, navigate the parking lot, and walk through the doors, your table is usually ready or at least close to it. If you’re a "walk-in and hope for the best" kind of person, try going on a Wednesday at 7:00 AM. It’s quiet. You can actually hear the acoustic covers of 90s pop songs playing over the speakers.
Eating Healthy (Or Not) on the Emerald Coast
One thing I appreciate about First Watch Panama City FL is that it doesn't judge you. If you want a Lemon Ricotta Pancake that’s the size of a hubcap, go for it. It’s topped with marinated berries and creamy lemon curd. It’s basically dessert. But if you’re trying to keep the "beach body" ready for a trip to PCB, you have options that don't taste like cardboard.
The Avocado Toast is the standard-bearer here. They use thick-cut whole grain toast, smash the avocado with some lemon and sea salt, and top it with brioza (a kind of chili oil) and two poached eggs. It’s simple. It’s trendy. It works.
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- The Tri-Athlete: An egg white omelet with mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes. It comes with a side of house-made salsa that actually has a bit of a kick.
- Power Bowls: Usually involve quinoa, farro, or some other ancient grain mixed with roasted vegetables and a protein.
- The AM Superfoods Bowl: This is basically a giant bowl of chia seed pudding and fruit. It’s refreshing when it’s 95 degrees outside and 100% humidity.
The Morning Juice Game
They have a "Juice Bar" which is really just a fancy way of saying they have a high-end juicer in the back. The Purple Haze is a fan favorite—it’s got lemon, cane sugar, and butterfly pea flower. It’s bright purple. Kids love it. Adults love it because it looks cool in photos.
Then there’s the Morning Meditation. It’s orange, lemon, turmeric, organic ginger, agave nectar, and beet. It tastes "healthy," if you know what I mean. Like, you can feel the ginger clearing out your sinuses. It’s the perfect hangover cure if you spent too much time at a tiki bar on the beach the night before.
Why Locals Choose This Over the Beach Tourist Traps
If you drive fifteen minutes south to Front Beach Road, you’ll find plenty of breakfast spots. Most of them are overpriced and serve frozen hashbrowns to tourists who don't know any better. First Watch Panama City FL is far enough inland that it caters to the people who actually live here—the nurses from Gulf Coast Regional, the airmen from Tyndall, and the local business owners.
There’s a level of consistency here that’s hard to find in a seasonal town. The staff usually stays the same for a while. You start to recognize the servers. They know if you want the "Kale Tonic" or just a regular glass of water. That familiarity matters in a town that changes so much every time a big storm rolls through.
The Atmosphere and Layout
The interior is what they call "Urban Farmhouse." Think lots of reclaimed wood, metal accents, and big windows. It’s bright. It’s airy. It doesn't feel like a dark, cave-like diner where you’re afraid to look too closely at the silverware.
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They have a community table, which is great if you’re dining solo and don't mind sitting near a stranger reading the news. Most of the seating is booths and four-tops. It’s clean. They’re fast with the turnover, but they don't make you feel like they're rushing you out the door the second you swallow your last bite of toast.
A Few Realities to Consider
Look, no place is perfect. First Watch Panama City FL can be loud. When the place is full, the acoustics aren't great. If you’re looking for a quiet, romantic breakfast where you can whisper sweet nothings over a croissant, this probably isn't the spot. It’s high energy. There are babies crying. There are groups of six friends laughing loudly. It’s a scene.
Also, the prices have crept up. It used to be a "cheap" breakfast. Now, for two people with entrees, coffee, and maybe a side of bacon to share, you’re looking at $40 to $50 plus tip. It’s an investment in your morning.
Practical Steps for Your Next Visit
If you're planning to head over to the Panama City First Watch, here is the smart way to do it. Don't just wing it.
- Download the First Watch App. This is non-negotiable on weekends. Check the wait time before you even leave your house.
- Park in the back if the front is full. The parking lot is shared with other businesses, and the spots directly in front of the door are always taken. There’s usually more room if you wrap around the building.
- Ask about the seasonal menu. Don't just look at the permanent one. The best stuff is usually on that separate little card tucked into the menu holder.
- Check your receipt. They often have a survey at the bottom that gives you a discount or a freebie on your next visit.
- Bring a sweater. Even if it's boiling outside, they keep the A/C cranked up to "Arctic Tundra" levels inside.
First Watch Panama City FL has managed to stay relevant in a competitive market by focusing on freshness and not being afraid to charge a little more for a better experience. Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast before heading to the office or lingering over brunch on a Saturday, it’s a solid choice that rarely misses the mark.
Go for the Million Dollar Bacon. Stay for the coffee. Just remember to join that waitlist before you put your shoes on.