Gelato

Gate-side sugar hit near T1 departures

Five minutes from most T1 domestic gates, Gelato sits airside and stays open from 10:00 to 22:00, which covers the bulk of Azul’s banked departures. It’s a small counter setup, so think grab-and-go cups and cones rather than a sit-down café. Everything is post-security in T1, so you won’t backtrack through checkpoints if you stop here before boarding.

Prices sit in the low bracket for the airport, roughly R$10–R$18 for a single or double scoop, which matches the stated “$” price tier. That makes Gelato one of the cheaper ways to kill time with something sweet compared to full meals in T1. Card payment works fine, and you won’t hit the higher add-on fees you see at some table-service spots in Viracopos.

The menu leans Italian dessert: classic gelato, a few seasonal flavors, and some basic toppings, all under the Dessert · Italian banner. Go straight for the Pistachio Gelato, which is the signature; staff often steer first-timers there, and it’s usually the first tub to run low in the evening. If you prefer something lighter before a late flight, ask for a half-portion; they’ll serve smaller cups even if it’s not written on the board.

Portions are airport-standard rather than huge, so a double scoop at around R$18 won’t ruin your appetite for a proper meal elsewhere in T1. Service is quick; during the 18:00–21:00 departure rush at Viracopos, waits usually stay under 5 minutes because there’s no complex prep beyond scooping and ringing you up.

Final tip: hit Gelato after security but before heading to your exact gate in T1, since some remote gates at Viracopos board early and don’t have much food beyond vending machines.