Under €10 gets you real pesto at Il Pesto È Buono
Right after security in T1, Il Pesto È Buono runs like a fast counter, not a sit-down restaurant. It sits in the main post-security hall, so you can order, eat, and still see the departure screens for GOA’s few gates. This is local Ligurian food, not generic pan-Italian, and prices stay in the €5–€10 range for most snacks and focacce.
The move here is anything with basil pesto, which comes from the region around Genoa. You’ll see pesto on focaccia, in simple pasta boxes, and sometimes in ready-made sandwiches; portions are light but fine for a short-haul flight. It’s rated 5 stars in airport listings, which is rare for a budget spot in a small terminal.
As a quick-service place in T1, Il Pesto È Buono doesn’t slow you down like a full restaurant near gates 1–6 might. Expect to be in and out in under 15 minutes if you pick from the display. Coffee and soft drinks usually sit in the €2–€3 range, and a snack plus drink can easily stay under €8, cheaper than many other European airports.
There’s no table service and seating nearby is shared with other outlets in the post-security area of T1. That shared seating fills fast when two or three Schengen departures bunch up on the board, especially around the 06:00–09:00 morning bank, so be ready to stand at a counter if needed. Packaging is flight-friendly, so you can also take your focaccia or pesto snack to the gate.
Tip: if your boarding pass shows a tight 30–40 minute window before departure from any T1 gate, grab a pesto focaccia and drink from Il Pesto È Buono first, then head straight to the gate lounge area to eat while you wait.