Stopped by the Panera in Carmel, and it’s definitely one of the busier locations I’ve been to. There’s no drive-thru here, which means everyone heads inside, adding to the foot traffic. The café is part of a shared plaza, so parking is combined with several other businesses, and it fills up quickly during peak times. Inside, the space is clean and well maintained, and the layout feels open enough to handle the crowd. Even with the heavy traffic, the staff kept orders moving at a steady pace, which I appreciated. My food came out correctly and tasted fresh, consistent with what I expect from Panera. Finding seating can be a bit of a challenge when it’s packed, but turnover is fairly quick. The atmosphere is lively, and it’s a decent spot to sit down for a meal if you don’t mind the busyness. Overall, a solid Panera location, just be prepared for the crowd and lack of a drive-thru.
Efficient: Yes
First-Time Friendliness: Yes
Would I Return: Yes
JY review
I just want to say how much I appreciate the wonderful team at Panera Bread. Everyone is always so kind, welcoming, and helpful. I stop by every day for my coffee, and they always greet me with a smile. The service is consistently great, and the staff truly make my visits enjoyable.
Thank you, Panera team, you’re doing an amazing job!
Lana
Terrible experience...
Dirty floors, prices don't match menu, customer service was bad (employees don't care, neither did their GM, Bryce. Which explains a lot...)
They apologized but didn't fix the problem.
I genuinely can't believe this was my experience in a Panera. The McDonald's across the street provides a better customer service experience and isn't dirty.
It’s dirty. Which is surprising considering the location. The last bite of my sandwich tasted like someone dipped it in the toilet. I get like I was going to vomit. I ran to the bathroom. Which was filthy. My feet were sticking to the floor. The stall door was broken and hanging. Then it all made sense. If management does this poorly with the bathroom, the food won’t be far behind. Seriously, you ask for a tip for everything and this is the best you can do.