This national breakfast chain with more than 500 restaurants is finally open in Kendall

Almost a year and a half after the announcement it was coming, a popular national breakfast chain has finally opened its first restaurant in Kendall.

First Watch, which has more than 500 locations across 29 states, has opened next to Smoothie King at the Shops of Kendall mall on North Kendall Drive. The opening has been a long time coming: The brand first announced the Kendall spot was coming in July of 2023.

The new 5,700-square-foot space can seat up to 180 diners and also has a patio for outdoor dining. The menu, served only until 2:30 p.m., includes breakfast, brunch and lunch, with highlights like lemon ricotta pancakes, steak and egg hash, double crunch breakfast tacos and what it calls million dollar bacon (with herbs and syrup). The restaurant also serves juice and brunch cocktails like mimosas and bloody Marys.

First Watch has 126 locations in Florida including one in North Miami Beach and another in Hialeah. There are also several locations in Broward, including Pembroke Pines and Hollywood. Another Kendall location near The Falls is on the horizon. The first restaurant was opened in 1983 in Pacific Grove, California by Ken Pendery and John Sullivan.

All dine-in customers at the new Kendall restaurant get free coffee with a meal through Dec. 6.

First Watch Kendall

Where: 12516 SW 88th St.

Hours: 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. daily

More information: firstwatch.com