Panera’s lunch menu offers soups, salads, and sandwiches, and seeing pictures with prices helps you pick a satisfying midday meal. When you’re hungry and short on time, knowing exactly what each item looks like and what it costs makes ordering much easier. This guide covers the full Panera lunch menu with prices and pictures, so you can decide before you walk in or order online.
We’ve organized everything by category. You’ll find soups, salads, sandwiches, and more. Each section includes current prices and descriptions of what you’ll get. Let’s start with the most popular lunch items.
Panera Lunch Menu With Prices And Pictures
This section breaks down every lunch option available at Panera. Prices may vary slightly by location, but these are the standard amounts as of 2024. Pictures are described in detail so you know exactly what to expect.
Soups And Bowls
Panera is famous for its soups. You can order a cup or a bowl. The bread bowl is also a popular choice.
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup – Cup $5.79, Bowl $7.29, Bread Bowl $8.49. Picture: Thick, creamy orange soup with small broccoli florets and shredded cheddar on top. Served in a sourdough bread bowl or a bowl.
- Chicken Noodle Soup – Cup $5.79, Bowl $7.29. Picture: Clear broth with wide egg noodles, chunks of white chicken, and sliced carrots and celery. Simple and comforting.
- Baked Potato Soup – Cup $5.79, Bowl $7.29. Picture: Creamy white soup with bacon bits, green onions, and shredded cheddar. Looks like a loaded baked potato in liquid form.
- Tomato Basil Soup – Cup $5.79, Bowl $7.29. Picture: Smooth, deep red soup with small basil flecks. Often served with a crouton on top.
- French Onion Soup – Bowl $8.29. Picture: Rich brown broth with a large crouton and melted Gruyere cheese on top. Served in a ceramic crock.
- Ten Vegetable Soup – Cup $5.79, Bowl $7.29. Picture: Broth-based soup with visible chunks of tomatoes, carrots, celery, corn, and green beans. Healthy looking.
Salads
Panera salads are fresh and come with dressing on the side unless you ask otherwise. You can get a whole or half size.
- Caesar Salad – Half $7.49, Whole $9.99. Picture: Romaine lettuce with shaved Parmesan, croutons, and creamy Caesar dressing. Simple but classic.
- Asian Sesame Chicken Salad – Half $8.49, Whole $11.29. Picture: Mixed greens with grilled chicken, edamame, wonton strips, and sesame dressing. Looks colorful with green and brown elements.
- Green Goddess Cobb Salad – Half $8.99, Whole $12.29. Picture: Romaine with bacon, hard-boiled egg, avocado, tomatoes, and green goddess dressing. Very green and hearty.
- Strawberry Poppyseed Salad – Half $8.49, Whole $11.29. Picture: Mixed greens with fresh strawberries, blueberries, pecans, and poppyseed dressing. Bright and fruity.
- Southwest Chile Lime Ranch Salad – Half $8.99, Whole $12.29. Picture: Romaine with grilled chicken, corn, black beans, tortilla strips, and chile lime ranch dressing. Looks like a taco salad.
- Fuji Apple Chicken Salad – Half $8.49, Whole $11.29. Picture: Mixed greens with grilled chicken, apple slices, dried cranberries, and pecans. Sweet and savory mix.
Sandwiches
Sandwiches come on fresh bread. You can order a whole or half. Most are served with chips or an apple.
- Smokehouse BBQ Chicken Sandwich – Half $7.99, Whole $10.99. Picture: Grilled chicken breast with smoky BBQ sauce, cheddar, and crispy onions on a toasted brioche roll. Looks messy and delicious.
- Chicken Salad Sandwich – Half $7.49, Whole $9.99. Picture: Chicken salad with grapes and pecans on toasted country bread. Served with lettuce and tomato. Looks creamy.
- Turkey and Bacon Avocado Sandwich – Half $8.49, Whole $11.49. Picture: Sliced turkey, bacon, avocado, and lettuce on toasted sourdough. Green avocado and red tomato visible.
- Toasted Frontega Chicken Sandwich – Half $8.49, Whole $11.49. Picture: Grilled chicken, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil pesto on toasted focaccia. Looks pressed and warm.
- Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich – Half $7.49, Whole $9.99. Picture: Feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, and hummus on tomato basil bread. Colorful and fresh.
- Classic Grilled Cheese – Half $5.99, Whole $7.99. Picture: Melted American cheese on toasted sourdough. Simple, golden brown.
- Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich – Half $8.49, Whole $11.49. Picture: Smoked turkey, bacon, Gouda, and tomato on tomato basil bread. Looks stacked high.
You Pick Two
This is a popular combo. You choose two items from soups, salads, or sandwiches. Price starts at $9.99 and goes up depending on what you pick.
- Half Sandwich and Cup Soup – $9.99 to $11.49. Picture: A half sandwich next to a cup of soup. Looks like a balanced meal.
- Half Sandwich and Half Salad – $10.49 to $11.99. Picture: Half sandwich with a small salad. Fresh and filling.
- Cup Soup and Half Salad – $9.99 to $11.29. Picture: A cup of soup with a half salad. Light but satisfying.
Mac And Cheese
Panera’s mac and cheese is a fan favorite. It comes in two sizes.
- Mac & Cheese (Kids) – $5.49. Picture: Small portion of creamy, shell-shaped pasta with melted cheese. Served in a small bowl.
- Mac & Cheese (Regular) – $7.99. Picture: Larger portion of the same creamy pasta. Looks rich and cheesy.
- Mac & Cheese (Bread Bowl) – $9.29. Picture: Mac and cheese served inside a sourdough bread bowl. Very indulgent.
Bakery Items
These are great for a side or dessert. Prices are for individual items.
- Bagel – $1.99 each. Picture: Round, shiny bagel with a hole. Available in plain, sesame, everything, and more.
- Croissant – $2.49. Picture: Flaky, golden brown crescent shape. Looks buttery.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie – $2.49. Picture: Large, soft cookie with visible chocolate chips. Looks chewy.
- Brownie – $2.99. Picture: Fudgy square with a crackly top. Dark chocolate color.
- Muffin – $2.99. Picture: Tall muffin with a domed top. Blueberry or chocolate chip options.
Drinks
Panera has a variety of drinks. Prices vary by size.
- Fountain Drink – Small $2.29, Medium $2.59, Large $2.89. Picture: A cup with soda and ice.
- Iced Coffee – Small $2.79, Medium $3.29, Large $3.79. Picture: Dark coffee over ice in a clear cup.
- Hot Coffee – Small $2.49, Medium $2.99, Large $3.49. Picture: Hot coffee in a paper cup with a lid.
- Lemonade – Small $2.79, Medium $3.29, Large $3.79. Picture: Yellow lemonade with ice and a lemon slice.
- Fruit Punch – Small $2.79, Medium $3.29, Large $3.79. Picture: Red punch with ice.
Kids Meals
Kids meals include a main item, a side, and a drink. Prices are around $5.99 to $6.99.
- Grilled Cheese – $5.99. Picture: Small grilled cheese with a side of apple slices or chips.
- Mac & Cheese – $5.99. Picture: Small mac and cheese with a side.
- PB&J – $5.99. Picture: Small peanut butter and jelly sandwich on white bread.
- Chicken Noodle Soup – $5.99. Picture: Small cup of soup with a side.
Seasonal And Limited Time Items
Panera sometimes adds special items. These change by season. Check your local menu for current options. Examples include:
- Summer Corn Chowder – Cup $5.79, Bowl $7.29. Picture: Creamy soup with corn kernels and red pepper bits.
- Autumn Squash Soup – Cup $5.79, Bowl $7.29. Picture: Orange soup with a swirl of cream and pumpkin seeds.
- Holiday Turkey Sandwich – Half $8.49, Whole $11.49. Picture: Turkey with cranberry sauce and stuffing on bread.
How To Order For The Best Value
Here are some tips to save money and get the most from your meal.
- Use the You Pick Two combo. This is often cheaper than buying two items separately. For example, a half sandwich and cup soup costs about $10.49, while a full sandwich alone is $10.99.
- Check the app for rewards. Panera has a loyalty program. You can earn free items after a few purchases.
- Skip the bread bowl if you’re on a budget. The bread bowl adds about $1.20 to the soup price. It’s filling but not necessary.
- Order water instead of a drink. Drinks add $2 to $3 to your total. Water is free.
- Look for the value duets. These are pre-set combos that sometimes cost less than custom picks.
What The Pictures Tell You
Seeing pictures of the food helps you know what to expect. Here’s what to look for in the images on Panera’s website or app.
- Portion size. The pictures show the actual serving size. A cup of soup is smaller than a bowl. A half sandwich is about half the size of a whole.
- Ingredients. You can see if the salad has enough toppings or if the sandwich has visible cheese and meat.
- Freshness. Bright colors mean fresh ingredients. Dull colors might mean the food is older.
- Bread type. Different sandwiches use different breads. The picture shows the texture and color.
How To Find Pictures On Panera’s Site
If you want to see the actual pictures before ordering, follow these steps.
- Go to Panera’s website or open the app.
- Click on the “Menu” tab.
- Select “Lunch” from the categories.
- Click on any item to see a larger picture and description.
- Scroll down to see the price and nutritional info.
The pictures are usually high quality and show the food on a white plate or in a bowl. They make it easy to compare options.
Common Questions About Panera’s Lunch Menu
Here are answers to frequent questions customers have.
Can I get a picture of the menu before I go?
Yes. Panera’s website and app have pictures for every item. You can also find user-submitted photos on Yelp or Google Maps.
Are the prices the same at all locations?
Prices can vary slightly by location. Urban areas may be a dollar or two higher. The prices listed here are averages.
Is there a lunch menu that’s different from the regular menu?
No. Panera’s lunch menu is the same as the all-day menu. But some items are more popular at lunch, like sandwiches and salads.
Can I order lunch items for breakfast?
Yes. Panera serves its full menu all day. You can order a salad at 8 AM if you want.
Do the pictures show the actual food?
Mostly yes. Panera uses professional photos that are close to the real product. But the actual food may look slightly less perfect.
Nutritional Information
If you’re watching calories, here are some numbers for popular lunch items. These are for whole sizes unless noted.
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Bowl) – 340 calories
- Caesar Salad (Whole) – 440 calories
- Smokehouse BBQ Chicken Sandwich (Whole) – 620 calories
- Mac & Cheese (Regular) – 490 calories
- Turkey and Bacon Avocado Sandwich (Whole) – 640 calories
- Asian Sesame Chicken Salad (Whole) – 510 calories
You can find full nutritional info on Panera’s website. They list calories, fat, protein, and carbs for each item.
Tips For First-Time Visitors
If you’ve never been to Panera, here’s what to expect.
- Order at the counter or via the kiosk. You can also use the app for pickup.
- Get a loyalty card. It’s free and you earn points.
- Try the broccoli cheddar soup. It’s their most popular item for a reason.
- Ask for extra napkins. Sandwiches can be messy.
- Check the bakery section. The pastries are fresh daily.
Comparing Panera To Other Lunch Options
Panera is mid-priced. It’s more expensive than fast food but cheaper than sit-down restaurants. Here’s a quick comparison.
- McDonald’s – Lunch combo around $8. Less fresh, more processed.
- Chipotle – Burrito bowl around $10. Similar price but different food style.
- Subway – Footlong sandwich around $8. Cheaper but less variety.
- Local deli – Sandwich around $12. Often higher quality but more expensive.
Panera offers a good balance of quality and price. The pictures help you see exactly what you’re paying for.
How To Save Money At Panera
Here are more specific money-saving strategies.
- Sign up for email offers. Panera sends coupons for free items or discounts.
- Order a half size. Half sandwiches and half salads are cheaper and still filling.
- Share a bread bowl. It’s large enough for two people if you also get a side.
- Skip the premium items. The bacon turkey bravo is more expensive than a classic grilled cheese.
- Use a reusable cup. Some locations give a small discount for bringing your own cup.
What To Order For Different Diets
Panera has options for various dietary needs.
Vegetarian
- Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
- Mac & Cheese
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Tomato Basil Soup
- Caesar Salad (without chicken)