Panera Bread - Miami Beach

The food is everything you expect from Panera and this location serves it up perfectly. No complaints there. The reason I'm giving this specific location 5 stars is because of the exceptional service. On a recent trip, we had both breakfast and dinner here. Both times, the service was above and beyond. Friendly, attentive, and fast. Both the morning and evening manager went out of their way to make sure that we were satisfied with our meals. I had an order glitch that was kind of my fault which they fixed immediately and were very kind and accommodating. Bonus? They have free parking for customers which if you've been to Miami Beach you know is a big deal.

Nice people, lots of seating. There are a few tables outside so we sometimes take our dog. The food is what you would expect from Panera, good and fairly quick.

I've visited this place several times, and the staff consistently impress me with their kindness and politeness. A special mention goes to Garey, who kindly brought my drink to my table when I forgot it. He was genuinely pleasant and welcoming, which is quite rare in South Beach. The restaurant offers nice spots to sit away from the sun in comfortable areas, and every table has electrical outlets and free WiFi. I never feel rushed here, making it a very relaxing environment. It’s perfect for getting out of the house to work on my laptop or just to pass the time while there's construction at my home, like I’m doing today. There are plenty of little quiet corners to enjoy, and the food is reasonably priced.

For breakfast, I love the steel-cut oatmeal topped with pecans, cinnamon, and strawberries. I add skim milk, pop it in the microwave for two minutes, and finish it off with a sliced banana—so delicious! For lunch, I enjoy tuna on Asiago cheese focaccia bread, and I like to add horseradish dressing for an extra kick. For dinner, the barbecue chicken salad paired with turkey chili is the perfect combo; I add an apple as a side and some spicy salsa verde to amp up the flavor of the chili. For dessert, I recommend the scone—just heat it in the microwave for 20 seconds to really enhance the taste. On my 62nd birthday, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a birthday card from the staff with personal messages; it was such a thoughtful gesture. If you're in South Beach, this place is definitely worth a visit. It's one of those rare spots where deserving employees might not receive tips, but they certainly should!

I really enjoy Panera, so it's disappointing that they consistently complicate a great experience. Now, they've started asking for tips before providing any service or food. Seriously, when you visit a restaurant, do you usually tip before or after receiving your meal? At Panera, they want tips upfront, which is frustrating. On a positive note, they have fixed their A/C issues, so at least now I can enjoy my meal without freezing. It feels like the company takes one step forward in improving, only to take a step back with this new tipping policy. It wouldn’t be a problem if tips were requested after I’ve had a chance to sit at a clean table and enjoy my meal exactly as I ordered it. Does anyone consider the implications of these policies before putting them into effect? This new requirement to tip before completing my credit card payment is perplexing and quite troubling.