Late landing at OTP and craving fried chicken at 02:00?
KFC in Terminal 1 sits airside in the departures area, and it’s one of the few places still serving full hot meals during late-night and early-morning banks. You’ll pay more than in Bucharest city stores – think fast-food combos closer to 40–50 RON than the 30–35 RON you might see at Mega Mall or AFI.
This branch runs standard KFC Romania items: bucket menus, Boxmaster-style wraps, and basic burgers, plus fries and coleslaw. Portion sizes match city outlets, but several Romanian-language reviews point out a noticeable markup of several lei per item compared with downtown locations on Calea Victoriei or Unirii.
Quality swings with traffic. When flights bunch around 06:00 and 22:00, chicken turns over fast and tends to stay crisp and juicy. When it’s quiet around 03:30, reviewers complain of pieces sitting too long under the heat lamps and tasting dry, especially wings and smaller strips.
Prices sit firmly in the airport “$” bracket but feel closer to “$$” if you know local rates; one Google reviewer flat-out calls it “way more expensive than in Bucharest malls.” Expect to pay around 10–15 RON for a drink and close to 20 RON for simple sides like fries if you order à la carte.
Cleanliness is hit or miss. Multiple reviews mention sticky tables and floors compared with newer city outlets opened after 2019, especially during overnight stretches when staffing is thin. Grab a napkin and wipe your own table if you’re picky; it’s quicker than waiting for a clean-up sweep.
What regulars do: locals on forums say to look at the chicken under the lamps and politely ask for a fresh batch if the coating looks dark or shriveled; staff at OTP reportedly agree more often than not. They also lean towards wraps and freshly assembled burgers, which hold up better than older drumsticks.
Watch out for: card terminals occasionally glitching just as a new flight dumps 150 people into the food court. Have a backup card or 50–100 RON cash handy so you don’t miss boarding while the payment line stalls.
Practical tip: order first, then find seating closer to your gate in Terminal 1; carrying your box 100–150 meters beats hovering for a table right in front of the counter.