ANTICA GELATERIA - UPPER CRUST

Gate-side snack stop in NAT terminal

By the NAT terminal departures area, ANTICA GELATERIA - UPPER CRUST covers two basic needs: quick gelato and grab-and-go sandwiches. It sits airside, so you need to be through security before you can use it. Think of it as the place you hit when boarding starts in 25 minutes and you still haven’t eaten anything since Alicante city.

On the Antica Gelateria side, you’ll see the usual stainless counter with tubs of ice cream. Expect classic flavors like chocolate, strawberry, and pistachio rather than anything experimental. A single scoop typically runs a few euros, cheaper than most full cafés in NAT. Portions lean small, so order two scoops if you’re actually hungry and not just filling time before a short hop to Madrid.

The Upper Crust section focuses on baguette-style sandwiches and basic bakery items. You’ll find pre-made baguettes with ham, cheese, or tuna, plus simple pastries lined up in the chilled case. Pricing sits in standard airport territory: figure around €5–€7 for a sandwich and another €2–€3 for a pastry or water. It works as a backup breakfast if the main restaurant near the central NAT food court looks slammed.

Seating here is minimal, mostly high tables and a few stools near the counter, so plan to carry your food back toward your actual gate in NAT. Service is counter-order only, pay first, then move aside to wait for drinks or heated items. Card payment is accepted, and contactless usually works faster than chip-and-PIN when the morning flights to London and Amsterdam are all boarding at once.

Practical tip: if your flight leaves early from a remote stand in NAT, grab a sandwich and drink here before heading down to the bus gates, since options are thinner once you’re downstairs.