£14 pastas, airport-chain taste
Jamie Oliver’s Italian in Gatwick South Terminal earned a reputation for charging central London prices for food that felt straight from a template. Mains often sit in the £12–£16 range, with a simple penne or tagliatelle pushing close to £14 once you add a drink. It’s airside in South, so you’re committed once you sit; this isn’t a quick pop-in before security.
Reviews on TripAdvisor and Google repeatedly mention overcooked pasta and a final bill that surprises. One diner called their plate “a disappointment – overcooked pasta and a hefty bill,” and that theme comes up a lot. Portions run medium, not huge, so two courses plus a glass of wine can easily climb past £25 per person. With a rating down near 1 star on some forums, expectations need to be managed.
If you end up here anyway, steer away from the pasta and look at the pizzas. Several travellers point out that the pizzas land better than the linguine or ravioli, which can be inconsistent from one visit to the next. A margherita or pepperoni around the £11–£13 mark with tap water is the least painful play. Kids’ dishes exist, but again, you’re paying brand pricing over airport fast casual.
Drinks are another trade‑off. The wine list gets decent comments for an airport spot, with a few recognisable Italian bottles and by‑the‑glass options. The catch: single glasses often run £7–£9, so two drinks can quickly match your food cost. Beer and soft drinks price in line with other sit‑down South Terminal places, but nothing here feels like value.
Regulars on FlyerTalk and Reddit mostly say they walk to Wagamama or Shake Shack in the same South Terminal instead, especially on short layovers. Slow service at busy times – 20–30 minutes for mains after ordering – comes up often and has cost people boarding groups. If you do sit down, set a timer and bail for takeaway elsewhere if nothing hits your table by the 20‑minute mark.