Panera Bread - Des Moines
Panera Bread
Description
Nestled in a lovely downtown spot across from the Hotel Fort Des Moines, this Panera offers bakery favorites, hearty soups, salads and sandwiches alongside standout dishes like chicken tortellini, mac & cheese and hibiscus tea. Generous portions, healthy choices and friendly, upbeat staff make it a dependable workday lunch or takeout destination with convenient skywalk access. Expect professionalism and generally quick service, though occasional rush-hour delays, inventory shortages and intermittent online-order inaccuracies have been reported.
Images
Feedback
I frequently visit this location and have always had a positive experience. However, during my most recent visit, the place was particularly busy, and everyone was waiting about 20 to 30 minutes for their food, regardless of whether they ordered ahead. I noticed that all the employees were hustling to make up for the delays, so I patiently took my place in line. Unfortunately, I witnessed several customers being incredibly rude to the staff, including a woman who repeatedly approached the counter to complain and yelled at an employee even after he explained that he was part of the delivery team and not involved with the food order line. Despite the difficult situation, every single employee remained calm, cheerful, and incredibly polite. I was really impressed by their professionalism and will most likely return to this location more often.
Panera is consistently a reliable choice for a satisfying lunch that's better than fast food! We were in town for a soccer tournament and needed something healthy and filling for our players between games. The salads and soups are a great option and always come in generous portions. This isn’t the first time we’ve visited a Panera, and it certainly won’t be the last! They offer delicious breads and pastries, perfect for dining in or taking out. With a variety of soups, salads, and sandwiches available, it’s a lovely spot right across from the Hotel Fort Des Moines.
The restaurant is situated in a lovely downtown area. The staff is exceptionally friendly and attentive. The food not only looked and smelled amazing, but it also tasted fantastic. We enjoyed the chicken tortellini, mac and cheese, summer corn chowder, and specialty teas. I highly recommend trying the hibiscus tea!
Everything here is so delicious! Friendly service and your order is ready quickly. This Panera is accessible to the Skywalk take elevator down to Davis Brown lobby and it's right there). So nice to be able to walk to lunch without having to wear a coat when it's freezing outside! Stop by for breakfast or lunch and you'll be pleased.

