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Overview & Highlights

Welcome to Panera Bread, where the aroma of freshly baked bread greets you at the door. Located in the heart of Madison, Wisconsin, at 601 Junction Rd, Panera Bread is not just a café; it’s a community hub where comfort meets culinary excellence.

As a food reviewer for Menustic, I have had the pleasure of discovering the vibrant offerings at Panera Bread. Renowned for its commitment to fresh ingredients and quality, this café boasts an exquisite selection of freshly baked breads, including the French Baguette Loaf with its blistered crust and winelike aroma, and the Country Rustic Sourdough Loaf, known for its soft, tender texture. It’s the perfect place for bread enthusiasts.

But the delights don’t stop there. Their handcrafted coffee beverages, such as the robust Iced Cafe Blend Dark Roast Coffee and the indulgent Hazelnut Coffee, invite coffee lovers to unwind and savor each sip. Pair them with unique beverages like the Blueberry Lavender Lemonade or the vibrant Citrus Punch for a refreshing balance.

The atmosphere at Panera Bread is welcoming, with friendly staff who go above and beyond to ensure your experience is enjoyable. Customer reviews like that of Faith Boersma highlight the warmth of the team, noting how they treat every patron with care and respect. Such testimonials reinforce the notion that this café is not merely about food, but also about fostering connections and community spirit.

Highlights of the menu include the renowned Tuna Salad, praised for its exceptional flavor, and their delicious soups that warm the soul, such as the popular French Onion Soup. The diverse offerings—ranging from salads, sandwiches, to mac & cheese—make it a versatile dining destination for any palate.

In addition to the remarkable cuisine, Panera Bread provides a cozy environment with ample seating options and a commitment to cleanliness. Customers like Imran Mohammed have even shared generous experiences with the staff that go beyond the traditional café interaction, creating lasting memories during their visits.

In conclusion, Panera Bread in Madison is more than just a café; it’s a place where good food and good company come together. Whether you're stopping by for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, Panera Bread promises an inviting experience filled with warmth, laughter, and, of course, exceptional bread.

Comforts & Conveniences

Service options
  • Outdoor seating
  • No-contact delivery
  • Delivery
  • On-site services
  • Takeaway
  • Dine-in
Highlights
  • Great coffee
  • Great tea selection
Popular for
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining
  • Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
  • Coffee
  • Comfort food
  • Quick bite
  • Small plates
  • Vegan options
  • Vegetarian options
Dining options
  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Catering
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service
Amenities
  • Toilet
  • Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
  • Casual
  • Cosy
  • Quiet
  • Trendy
Crowd
  • Family friendly
  • Groups
  • Tourists
Planning
  • Accepts reservations
Payments
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
  • Credit cards
Children
  • Good for kids
  • High chairs
  • Kids' menu
Parking
  • Free of charge street parking
  • Free parking lot
  • Parking
Pets
  • Dogs allowed outside

Where to Visit

Visitor Testimonials (989)

The staff and managers at this location truly go above and beyond the call of duty. They treat every customer with care and respect. While I mostly go there for the amazing deal on the Unlimited sip, I see people enjoy their meals, chatting, laughing, and even crying. The staff is there for it all. They would literally be a shoulder cry on if someone needed it. And that makes a huge difference in people’s lives. 10 out of 5 stars! Shoutout to manager Corky!

This is a great Panera Bread location that offers a variety of salads, sandwiches, soups, mac & cheeses and pastries. The store is clean and offers plenty of seating options. There is plenty of free lot parking.

This is one of the best Panera store that I've been to. Very clean, well managed and always fresh food. The store manager Paulo is a wonderful guy and very hospitable and jovial. I ordered some cakes and pastries to take home but Paulo refused to let me pay. If you're in town, do visit this store for some great food and engaging conversation.

The French onion soup was so delicious and the Chai Tea Latte also good. Of course the bread was what it should be as per having the translation of breadbasket in the name. The chicken sandwiches are NOT a fully sauced covered chicken but rather a drizzle of sauce, legitimately as pictured in their menus. If your expectations are to have a form of full sauce covered chicken sandwich, this is not the place for that just a FYI. I had to ask for a table to be cleaned off for the two of us and they forgot to move the Latte to my self serve area so I could have it too. On a second visit I ordered in for two a take out from the "You Pick Two" which my wife declared as so yummy and the bread was moist. "The Spicy Take" overall was a different sammy with their pickles and it's rather expensive for a sandwich for lunch. Luckily it was my wife's gift card and she's the one who really enjoys it.

If you like excellent Tuna salad you will have come to the right place! Everything they prepare is excellent but the Tuna is out of this world. I recommend you stop there today and see for yourself! You won't be disappointed!

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