The new year promises to bring at least one sure bet: First Watch cafes will continue to spring up across Fairfax County.
After opening its largest restaurant yet in Fair Lakes this summer, the national chain is expanding to three more locations in the county, all of them expected in the first half of 2025.
The first opening will likely be at Idylwood Plaza, where, as previously reported, First Watch anticipates opening an approximately 4,000-square-foot restaurant with an indoor/outdoor bar. Located at 7501 Leesburg Pike, the cafe was expected to be ready by the end of 2024, but the company now says it should launch early next year.
First Watch is also coming to Reston — where it will replace the shuttered Carrabba’s Italian Grill at 12192 Sunset Hills Road near RTC West — and Groveton, where it’ll take over a former Boston Market at Beacon Center (6650 Richmond Highway), according to a spokesperson.
Carrabba’s closed its Reston location in February after 21 years there. The property piqued the interest of “several prospective tenants,” but First Watch won out because the retail leasing manager felt a breakfast-and-brunch option was more needed in the area than another dinner spot, A.J. Dwoskin & Associates Executive Vice President of Leasing and Acquisitions Michael McGregor told the Washington Business Journal, which first reported the lease.
Fairfax County issued a permit for the restaurant’s build-out on Nov. 25, per county records.
“Our Reston location will be approximately 6,500 square feet and will feature a covered patio with a total of 179 seats,” the First Watch spokesperson said.
The Groveton cafe will be smaller, measuring approximately 3,388 square feet with 136 seats, but it will also include a covered patio. A permit to allow interior and exterior alterations of the freestanding building was issued by the county on Wednesday (Dec. 4).
First Watch says its Reston and Groveton sites are both expected to open next spring.
Started in Pacific Grove, California, in 1983, First Watch is now based in Brandenton, Florida, and has over 500 restaurants nationwide, including ones in Franconia, Bailey’s Crossroads, Chantilly and Fairfax City.
The chain serves classic breakfast, brunch and lunch food, including sandwiches, salads, egg dishes, pancakes and avocado toast, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. The drink menu includes a juice bar, coffee and brunch cocktails.
In addition to the core menu, there’s a revolving seasonal menu that changes five times a year based on “the position of the sun.”
“Reston and [Groveton] are expected to start serving its first seasonal menu in Spring 2025,” the First Watch spokesperson said. “Both restaurants will be open 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.”
