Gregory’s

Proper espresso plus moussaka, 20 meters past duty free

Gregory’s in T1 sits airside by Schengen gates 1–10, right after the duty free shop, and it runs as a combined coffee bar, pastry counter, and hot‑food grill. Prices land in the mid range for Greece (think €3–4 for espresso drinks, €5–8 for sandwiches, around €9–12 for hot plates), so it’s not cheap, but it’s still better value than most European airports at this size.

This is a Greek chain, but here at CHQ it leans local: you’ll see moussaka, grilled meats, and other hot Greek dishes lined up alongside spanakopita and cheese pies. The grill line usually has a few ready plates, so you can grab a proper meal and still make a boarding call at gate 4 or 7 without drama. Coffee is serious by airport standards: double espresso and freddo espresso both come out strong, not watery.

For a quick bite, the move is a spinach pie or cheese pie from the pastry case and a freddo cappuccino; both together typically run under €8. If you have 30–40 minutes before a Schengen departure, go for one of the hot trays like moussaka or pastitsio instead of the generic wrapped sandwiches. The pre‑made baguettes and basic toasties near the front counter look fine but don’t match the grill plates on freshness or flavor.

Seating is open to the concourse, so expect regular gate noise and boarding calls from nearby gates 1–5, plus a steady line at peak morning waves around 06:00–09:00. It’s all post‑security, so you can hold off on coffee landside and just plan to stop here once you clear checks. Service is counter‑style: order, pay, then wait a few minutes at the pickup side if you choose a hot plate from the grill.

Tip: If your time is tight and your gate is 8–10, grab coffee and a pastry here, then walk down toward your gate to find a quieter seat; they don’t mind you carrying everything away on a tray.