Starbucks line stretching into Terminal 1? Gloria Jean's is plan B.
Gloria Jean's Coffees sits airside in Terminal 1 at OTP and usually has a noticeably shorter queue than the Starbucks across the way. Prices run in the Starbucks range too, so expect to pay around 18–25 RON for a latte or flavoured drink. Think of it as the backup option when the main chain looks like a 20‑minute wait.
Menu is standard chain fare: espresso, cappuccino, flavoured lattes, iced coffees, plus sweet drinks that reviewers compare directly to Starbucks’ caramel and mocha style options. You’ll also see a small selection of cakes, muffins, and pastries in the 15–25 RON bracket. One Google reviewer summed it up as “coffee was fine, nothing special,” which is about right here.
Open from early morning departures into the late‑evening wave (roughly 05:00–22:00, matching most Schengen/Non‑Schengen traffic), it works for a pre‑6A first flight or a 21:30 departure. Service speed is usually better than Starbucks when both are busy, which is why regulars walk over here first if they see a long line forming at the green logo.
Drinks skew sweet. Multiple reviews mention syrups and sauces overpowering the coffee, especially in caramel or hazelnut combos. If that’s not your thing, ask for half syrup or stick to a straight espresso or Americano, which lands closer to “average chain coffee at airport prices” than sugar bomb. Expect to pay around 10–14 RON for the simpler shots.
Watch out for: prices are airport‑level and not much cheaper than downtown Bucharest cafés; one Romanian‑language review called it “average chain coffee at airport prices,” and that’s accurate. If you’re cost‑sensitive and have more than 60 minutes before departure, grabbing coffee in the city before heading to OTP saves a few lei.
Tip: when you reach security in Terminal 1 and see Starbucks already stacked 10–15 people deep, check Gloria Jean’s first; if you’re under 40 minutes to boarding, the shorter line here can be the difference between coffee in hand and running to gate 12 empty‑handed.