FIRST WATCH WINTER GARDEN

Few places split the difference like FIRST WATCH WINTER GARDEN. The dining room gives it 4.6 stars across 1,580 reviews; the inspector gave it a D — 68 out of 100 — at its most recent visit on January 14, 2026.

That D comes from 2 high-priority, 3 intermediate, and 7 basic violations cited on January 14, 2026. It currently ranks safer than 7% of Orange County restaurants we grade — close to the bottom of the county. One bright spot — its recent inspections have been trending cleaner. If you want the flavor with fewer question marks, the safer-options list below maps higher-graded kitchens within a short drive.

Loved (4.6★) but failing (D, 68/100) · safer than 7% of Orange County

Get directions Call (407) 654-2826

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to FIRST WATCH WINTER GARDEN, by Florida DBPR grade:

  • FIREHOUSE SUBS

    4.5★ 0.1 mi away

  • AJI SUSHI AND TEPPAN

    4★ 0.1 mi away

  • PANDA EXPRESS #1140

    3.3★ 0.2 mi away

Restaurant details

Health grade
D (68/100)
Violations
12 total — 2 high-priority, 3 intermediate, 7 basic
Address
3017 DANIELS RD SUITE 102, Winter Garden, FL
Cuisine
Other
Categories
Breakfast restaurant, Brunch restaurant, Family restaurant, Health food restaurant, Lunch restaurant, Pancake restaurant
Price
$10–20
Rating
4.6 stars (1580 reviews)
Seats
120
Phone
(407) 654-2826
Website
Official website
Photo of FIRST WATCH WINTER GARDEN
Photo: First Watch

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.6 Community-sourced rating 1,580 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

People either love this place or they do not, and the ratings show it. Reviewers who mention service rate this place 4.6 on average — it is working in the restaurant’s favour. Pacing follows at 29% of reviews, where ratings average 3.4.

If you had to pick one number to represent this corpus it would be 5, the most frequently given rating (11 reviews). 12 of 17 rated reviews are four stars or higher; 4 are two or lower. One subject never comes up here: what it costs.

The inspection record is the harder read. DBPR graded this kitchen a D (68/100) on 2 high-priority, 3 intermediate, and 7 basic violations — a verdict the review average does not reflect. DBPR last walked in on January 14, 2026. The trend across inspections is improvement. On health score it sits safer than 7% of the Orange County restaurants we grade. The citations behind that grade include cross-contamination and handwashing.

Taken together, this is a place diners like and inspectors do not. A good meal and a clean kitchen are different questions. The individual reviews are below, newest first, if you want the raw material.

Our own analysis of 17 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 28, 2026

    A little loud but service was great.

  • June 25, 2026

    This first watch location is by far the best in our area. Service is always friendly and quick, food is always delicious.

  • June 21, 2026

    Everyone was friendly and took great care of us! They were extra vigilant with our daughter who has celiac, for which we were very grateful. April was attentive and competent. We’ll be back!

  • June 21, 2026

    Sheena was amazing. Quoted 25min wait and waited 50min. Food was cold and over cooked.

  • June 21, 2026

    The overwhelmed experience was wonderful. The food was fabulous. Our server was super friendly.

  • June 21, 2026

    This building is too small for this business. Whoever was at the pancake station between 10am to 12pm needs to change position to Busser or hostess.

  • June 17, 2026

    Sarah was the absolute best

  • June 15, 2026

    I eat at first watch whenever I’m in town. I travel quite a bit for work and on this particular day my wife happen to be out of town as well so we weren’t able to have breakfast together. So I came to first watch. And I was seated normally, by a very polite woman. And then my server came over and she had the brightest and most sincere smile. Her name is Jennifer. I proceeded to tell her that I had just had breakfast there the day before and I didn’t want to waste food because the portions were so large. Could I have a special order? She not only accommodated me, but didn’t make me feel bad about asking for something special. She was a phenomenal server and not just with me. I noticed her keeping an eye on absolutely everything going on around her. Super helpful to coworkers and just a genuinely nice person. I know, it may not seem important to everyone but your morning really does set up your day. Thank you, Jennifer for making my morning and my breakfast an experience, I’ll remember

  • June 15, 2026

    Excelente servicio todo muy bueno, pero los precios son muy altos, 2 personas en desayuno $65

  • June 14, 2026

    34 minutes to be seated for any available, patiently watching three groups who arrived after me be seated. Another 33 minutes to receive our cold meal, with no waters or refills. Honestly i could have lived with all that and not bothered with giving a review but the topper was when I politely reminded the waitress (not our server) I ordered toast to be told "I only have two hands" with a nasty attitude. ☹️ Last time at this location...

  • June 12, 2026

    Cracking breakfast spot in winter garden village. Really enjoyed my Benedict’s BLT. Absolutely spot on!

  • June 11, 2026

    First watch is great. Parking is absolutely disgusting!!!!! I try to avoid this location just because of that.

  • June 7, 2026

    Server was excellent, pleasant, personable and one step ahead

  • June 6, 2026

    Good was good but they messed up my order. I ordered waffle turkey sausage and eggs. I got homefries rather than eggs. I was hungry so I just ate because I was hungry.

  • June 6, 2026

    Professional staff and always great meals.

  • June 5, 2026

    Food was great and Jennifer was awesome. She always makes our dining experience enjoyable

  • June 2, 2026

    Our server Luna provides great service and helped us decide between the new menu items. All the food was delicious and came out very quickly. I would definitely recommend coming here!

Overall Score

51 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 10/40
    Grade D
  • Dietary transparency 17/20
    5 options listed
  • Community rating 18/20
    4.6★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 6/10
    Improving, 0% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
7 AM to 2:30 PM
Tuesday
7 AM to 2:30 PM
Wednesday
7 AM to 2:30 PM
Thursday
7 AM to 2:30 PM
Friday
7 AM to 2:30 PM
Saturday
7 AM to 2:30 PM
Sunday
7 AM to 2:30 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. January 14, 2026 · Complaint Full

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    2 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 7 basic

    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×2)
    • 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices
    • 13 — Clean clothes; hair restraints; jewelry; fingernails
    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
    • 21 — Wiping cloths; clean & soiled linens; laundry
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized (×2)
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
    • 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training
  2. October 15, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    5 high-priority · 4 intermediate · 6 basic

    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×2)
    • 09 — Bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food
    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored
    • 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices (×2)
    • 13 — Clean clothes; hair restraints; jewelry; fingernails (×2)
    • 21 — Wiping cloths; clean & soiled linens; laundry
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized (×2)
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: January 14, 2026