First Awakenings

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#1 of 57 Restaurants in Pacific GroveAmerican, Cafe, $$ - $$$

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First Awakenings

Review

At a glance

Open until 2:30 PM

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Website

+1 831-372-1125Improve this listing

About

Features

CUISINES

American, Cafe

Meal types

Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

Highchairs Available

Outdoor Seating

Seating

Table Service

Takeout

Wheelchair Accessible

Location

300 David Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93940-1143

Can a vegan person get a good meal at this restaurant?

Yes

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Hours

Suggest an edit

Open until 2:30 PM

Sunday

7:00 am - 2:30 pm

Monday

7:00 am - 2:00 pm

Tuesday

7:00 am - 2:00 pm

Wednesday

7:00 am - 2:00 pm

Thursday

7:00 am - 2:00 pm

Friday

7:00 am - 2:00 pm

Saturday

7:00 am - 2:30 pm

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4.5

1,040 reviews

Excellent

677

Very good

267

Average

Poor

Terrible

daithigal

Dublin64 contributions

Very good American diner near aquarium, excellent staff

Aug 2024 • family

Extensive menu, quintessential diner experience with lots of locals and excellent service. Servings are massive, too big for me and food is quite expensive for normal portions size prices but not for these portions. Otherwise 5/5 and really good option for breakfast before aquarium.

Written 13 August 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AndoverDan

Andover371 contributions

Excellent Lunch spot near the Aquarium

Mar 2024 • couples

We stopped here for lunch whuile visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarum. They serve well prepared large portions of a good variety of breakfast and lunch dishes. The staff are very personable. Highly recommended.

Written 14 March 2024

Mike F

Tucson169 contributions

Our First Awakening in Monterey

June 2022 • family

Since First Awakenings moved to the new location at 300 David Avenue at Lighthouse I am sure customers still love their breakfast and brunch food. We visited here with our granddaughter who had fond memories of the old location and was impressed with this new location. She wanted the pancakes that are as big as a dinner platter and loved them. I had the Acapulco Omelette with chorizo, avocado and cheese and it was great. The portion sizes are not skimpy so you will see lots of people taking leftovers home!

Written 6 June 2022

Britain R

142 contributions

Pretty good food but check your receipt

Dec 2023 • family

While visiting our son and his family in Monterey, California, we went for a Sunday brunch. The restaurant was very busy so we had a short wait. Our group, 4 adults and 3 children under 6, were seated and placed our order in good fashion. My wife ordered a cup of coffee and the server brought out a pot to the table. The menu is extensive and well thought out. Our food arrived in a short time and was quite beautiful and tasty. After the meal was delivered, we didn’t see much of our server. I do understand that the restaurant was busy but we didn’t even have enough napkins to deal with the kids in our party. We enjoyed the food and the portions were large enough. Besides the service, the other reason for the low rating was the check. First off, I take full responsibility for not looking it over more carefully. We were charged for 3 cups of coffee at $3.89 each (only had one) and our party was charged $21.00 (18%) gratuity for less than good service. My fault for paying without looking but be careful in the future.

Written 4 December 2023

amychav

San Jose221 contributions

Don't Miss This Place on Your Trip to Monterey

Jan 2025 • family

This is a great spot to get breakfast when you are staying in the Monterey area. It is listed as Pacific Grove, but it is very close to Cannery Row without Cannery Row prices. The offerings are unique and so appetizing that you could eat here multiple times and get something different every time. They have their own parking lot, so parking is not an issue. There is indoor and patio seating.

Written 18 January 2025

Kerry M

Ballyclare17 contributions

You won’t be disappointed

July 2024 • family

First Awakenings was recommended to us during our stay in Monterey. It didn’t disappoint. We were a family of 5 who each had a different menu item and everyone enjoyed their dish. The pancakes were amazing. Service was attentive and the refillable coffee was good.

Written 15 July 2024

puravida

2 contributions

The best breakfast

Oct 2022 • family

Everything ordered, egg white omlet, pancake, turkey sausage, vegetable scramble, coffee, oatmeal with fruit......not only the best on our trip, but holding its own against any vacation breakfast restaurant at which we've dined. Staff efficient and friendly, resulting in a great start to our day.

Written 15 October 2022

Dave S

Huntington Beach27 contributions

A Must visit when you’re in Monterey/Pacific Grove.

July 2022 • friends

Fantastic restaurant. Been going there for over 30 years when I visit family In Monterey. Was originally called „First Watch „. Great Food and lots of it. First rate service. They just moved into a new building more than twice the size of the old one and the restaurant was still packed with a 30 minute wait. Worth the visit. Be prepared tonnage lots of left overs.

Written 9 July 2022

Rosa G

San Jose49 contributions

Many choices of pancakes

June 2022 • none

Very nice restaurant with a pleasant large outdoor patio. Service was efficient, we visited on Wednesday at 8 am and were seated right away. Food was good but my hash browns were too greasy and my omelet was flat and a little overcooked, loved the many choices of pancakes offered.

Written 26 June 2022

Travel the World

San Francisco1466 contributions

Locals Pick

Feb 2025 • couples

The breakfast menu is fantastic. Lot's of healthy choices. They offer 4 different types of oatmeal which is one of my favorites. They kept our coffee cups full and service was always with a smile. They have indoor and outdoor seating, clean bathrooms and both tables and bar seating. Don't let the long line scare you away, it is worth the wait. Street parking is easy. Follow the locals to this favorite breakfast choice.

Written 11 March 2025

Victoria S

Sebastopol70 contributions

Breakfast specialists--delicious

Apr 2023 • couples

We wanted a great breakfast and we got one. Have you ever heard of gourmet pancakes? I usually avoid pancakes because they can be dense and flavorless. I had the raspberry, coconut and granola pancake, which was light and so delicious I didn't need any syrup. My husband enjoyed the raisin and walnut pancake. Order one, because they're huge: about 9" diameter. One pancake completely covers the plate! The rest of the menu looked equally delicious and creative. Service was great, too. We sat outdoors despite the slight chill because the benches have warmers in them. The patio area is immaculately clean, which is remarkable considering seagulls flying around. Overall, a great find and we'll go back next time we're in Monterey. Recommend heartily.

Written 17 April 2023

hal

48 contributions

Yummy Breakfasts and Lunches

Dec 2021 • couples

Best breakfast place in the Pacific Grove/Monterey area. Everything on the menu is delicious. Service is spot on. If you don't make a reservation expect a long wait for a table on the weekends. Indoor and outdoor dining options are available but usually do take out to avoid the table waits. Their lunches are also good and the place is less crowded after 12:30. Recommend this place if you're looking for tasty food during a visit to Monterey.

Written 28 December 2021

Claudia R

1 contribution

Breakfast

June 2021 • none

We went today for breakfast to Monterey First Awakening for Breakfast. My Friend ordered steak with mushrooms ,peppers and potatoes with eggs. I had heartland frittata with potatoes and eggs. My Friend had Tea and what we got was hot water with no tea bag, I had to ask twice for it. When the food came out to my friend she tasted the steak and it was tasting funny . So I tried it and yes it did tasted funny like there is something wrong with the meat for sure. I called over the waiter and told him about it. He was shaking his head with laughing that I was a liar. That for one thing mad me very upset. However we got another one and the same thing, it look liked the same steak just put on a different plate. My heartland frittata came out with salsa. Well heartland frittata does not come with salsa it comes with the another kinda egg sauce holidainse sauce.I should know because I been going there for a long time and know what the food looks like and as well as taste. Never the less I lost 41.46 for both meals. A very rude and disappointing Breakfast,

Written 6 June 2021

adrianbaker2016

Newcastle upon Tyne79 contributions

Great way to start your day

Nov 2021 • couples

Huge choice of breakfasts on the menu but everything that we ordered came quickly and was cooked to perfection. The servers were friendly and kept us topped up with coffee. Choice of eating inside or out. The line of customers waiting as we left at 1000 told its own story. This is a great place for breakfast but get there early

Written 20 November 2021

siochainDenver

242 contributions

Just ok

Feb 2022 • none

My squid was good and cooked right. There is no deep fryer so don't expect anything to be very crispy. The hash browns were undercooked though I asked for crispy. The English muffins were crispy on top and mushy in the middle and the bottom (time for a new toaster?). The scrambled eggs were tough and overcooked. I couldn't eat them. The organic apple juice was really good (but they didn't have to make that). Hubby got a shrimp omelet (a special) that he enjoyed. We got there between 8 and 8:30 on a Sunday and were seated right away. When we left around 9 there was a large wait outside.

Written 28 February 2022