Panera Bread has always been a bakery first, slinging breads, bagels, and sandwiches for decades–since it was alternatively known as the St. Louis Bread Company. But, the chain has never left patrons high and dry. One of its earliest menus, archived by Johnson & Wales University, even reveals that coffee–specifically espresso-based coffee–has consistently held a rightful spot.
Since then, the caffeinated options at the restaurant have evolved significantly. Panera has also placed a heavier emphasis on the quality of its coffee in more recent years, paying special attention to sourcing and its careful roasting process. Because of these improvements and its espresso bar, which continues to be fully stocked with classic blends and recipes, the chain is now more than ever known as not just a bakery, but also a bustling café destination complete with the inviting sounds of coffee beans grinding and milk steamers hissing.
Right now, six total coffee beverages are available on Panera’s espresso menu, from creamy, flavored lattes to light cappuccinos and bold Americanos. Today, I’m causing a stir by dissecting each one to discover the chain’s strong suits and alternatively, its weak links when it comes to coffee. Here’s how each coffee ranked in descending order, beginning with my least favorite and counting down to the very best.