Panera Bread in Riverside

“★★★★★ 5-Star Review for Panera Bread

My Go-To Riverside Retreat for Fresh Eats & Good Vibes!

Panera on Tyler Street is the real MVP of quick, feel-good meals in Riverside. I swung by on a sunny Saturday, and the moment I walked in, the aroma of freshly baked sourdough had me hooked. The space is bright, spacious, and spotlessly clean—perfect for a solo work session or catching up with friends.

I ordered the Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt on a toasted baguette (pro tip: ask for extra pickled onions!), paired with a steaming cup of their turkey chili. Every bite was perfection: melty cheese, smoky chicken, creamy avocado, and that bread—crisp outside, pillowy inside. The chili? Rich, hearty, and just spicy enough to wake up the senses. I finished with a Kitchen Sink Cookie because, well, balance.

What sets this location apart is the staff—shoutout to Maria at the counter, who remembered my weird “light ice” request and still managed a genuine smile during the lunch rush. Drive-thru is lightning-fast too; I’ve grabbed breakfast flatbreads on my way to UCR and never waited more than 5 minutes.

Bonus: free Wi-Fi that actually works, plenty of outlets, and outdoor seating with misters for those 100°+ Riverside days. Whether I’m craving soup in a bread bowl or just a strong iced coffee, this Panera never disappoints. Five stars—see you tomorrow! 🥖☕“

“lots of small group and solo seating, outlets at nearly every table. this location is new, food seems to be coming out tasting/looking by the book, is very clean (lobby and bathrooms), and staff are friendly. this spot is great for students/WFH professionals, but maybe not for families. the lobby used to be way too cold, but that has improved over time“

“I love this place when it's raining cuz this spot is so warm,you could study or relax with friends, the food and drinks are good, especially there coffee ☕️ 😋..I got this chipotle sandwich,with a bowl of Mac and cheese it was so good 👍 😋..I recommend this warm spot to anyone.“