An integral part of any vacation involves visiting restaurants and sampling the finest cuisine the city has to offer. Therefore, before embarking on your trip to Mashhad, make sure to read this blog from OverIran Tourism Magazine. It will acquaint you with the various restaurants in Mashhad and the diverse range of food available in the city.
1- Pesaran karim
Pesaran Karim restaurant opened on Taleghani street in 1980 and later relocated to its current spot at 23 Khayyam Boulevard (22 Farhad) in 1997. However, this move didn’t dent the restaurant’s popularity. The restaurant’s emphasis lies in utilizing the finest and healthiest ingredients. Rigorous monitoring ensures the hygienic transportation of food from its source to the destination, and meticulous attention to cleanliness in food preparation areas and warehouses stands as a crucial factor behind the restaurant’s popularity.
Moreover, the cooking process significantly contributes to the quality and stellar reputation of Pesaran Karim restaurant. Beyond fresh ingredients and delectable dishes, the ambiance at Pesaran Karim restaurant also plays a pivotal role in its popularity.
Suggestion: When dining at this restaurant, be sure to try the Chelomahicheh (lamb shank and rice) and Chelogoosht (meet and rice), its most famous dishes. However, be cautious as they tend to sell out rapidly, so it’s advisable to place your order for them upon arriving at the restaurant.
This restaurant has three branches
Address: 22th Farhad Street, Khayyam Boulevard, Mashhad – Khayyam Blvd, Mashhad – Alton tower, Daneshgah Ave, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: from 11:30 A.M to 4:00 P.M during the day, and from 7:30 P.M to 10:30 P.M at night.
Cuisines: Persianian
2- layali lobnan
What sets layali lobnan restaurant apart and makes it one of Mashhad’s renowned dining spots is its complete avoidance of sausages, processed meats, or soybeans. This commitment is what allows us to label layali lobnan as Mashhad’s top restaurant in terms of food compatibility with health standards.
The most sought-after dish at this establishment is the Baalbaki pizza
Address: No. 42، Jalal Al-e-Ahmad Blvd, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: from 11 A.M to 11 P.M
Cuisines: Middle East Fast-food
3. Shabdiz
Shabdiz is an excellent fast-food in Mashhad. Its pizzas, bread, and other dishes maintain an exceptionally high quality. Moreover, if you seek a modern, stylish ambiance to relish a fantastic burger experience, Shabdiz is the best.
Address: Kuy-e-Ab-o-Barq, Haft-e Tir Blvd, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: from 6 P.M to Midnight
Cuisines: Italian, European, Persian
4. Ehsan
Ehsan is another Iranian restaurant in Mashhad that offers an array of kebabs and Iranian dishes. Beyond its restaurant services, it also provides event halls for occasions like weddings with 1000 people capacity.
Address: Between 8th and 10th Pirouzi Blvd – Ahmadabad Blvd
The working hours are as follows: from 12 P.M to 12 A.M
Cuisines: Persian
5. Moin Darbari
Moin Darbari Restaurant in Mashhad is one of the city’s finest and oldest eateries that has two branches. Its dining hall (first branch), unlike modern stylish restaurants, sits a few steps below ground level with mirrored walls and ceiling. The interior boasts stunning natural and artificial floral decorations alongside an aquarium. The restaurant offers an assortment of Iranian dishes, a salad bar, and hors d’oeuvres. However, the highlight here is the shishlik, a must-try dish i highly recommend.
Address: No. 40, Pasdaran Ave, Mashhad – Shahrak-e-Nofel Lowshatow, Kalantari Expy, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: from 12 P.M to 12 A.M
Cuisines: Persian
6. Black Orchid
The Black Orchid Restaurant is among the finest dining establishments in Mashhad, offering a wide array of vegetarian, sea food, Italian, and specialty dishes. With its exquisitely luxurious and beautiful atmosphere, the restaurant’s interior design is certain to captivate you.
Address: 25th Farhad, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: from 12 P.M to 12 A.M
Cuisines: Italian, sea food, vegetarian
7. Kolbeh
The Kolbeh restaurant boasts a considerable following among Mashhad residents and travelers due to its international cuisine. This restaurant prioritizes the healthfulness of its dishes, hence, most menu items are low in white meat and fat content.
Address: Hashemiyeh Blvd, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: from 12 P.M to 12 A.M
Cuisines: Italian, American
8. Roje Food Factory
Beyond its delicious cuisine, one of the standout features of this restaurant is its captivating atmosphere. Photography enthusiasts can easily spend hours here, especially in the corner designated at the Food Factory restaurant, ideal for both individual and group photos. This establishment’s acclaim as one of Mashhad’s finest restaurants isn’t solely due to its culinary offerings.
Notably, the Food Factory surprises with its generous portion sizes, uncommon in many modern eateries. The servings here are ample enough to satiate two diners, a factor worth considering when placing orders for a meal shared with someone. This restaurant caters to a wide range of tastes, offering diverse options. Whether you crave spicy Mexican dishes like enchiladas and tacos or prefer meat-free fare, the vegan tray stands out as an excellent choice.
Address: Houshyar street, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: from 8 A.M to 12 A.M
Cuisines: Italian, Mexican, vegetarian
9. Kiosk Cafe
What’s great about this café-restaurant is the option to order both food and drinks from the coffee shop menu.
Another factor contributing to Kiosk Cafe’s popularity is its captivating and lively atmosphere. Adorned with various drawings and designs on the brick walls, this café is a visual delight. The array of intriguing artworks creates an environment where time seems to slip away unnoticed.
Moreover, the creative lighting and distinctive decorations in this café are sure to capture the attention of every customer
The food available at this café largely varies based on the season and the meal you select. For breakfast, options include various types of omelets, tongue dishes, or French crepes.
Address: 12th South hamed, sajjad Blvd, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: from 8 A.M to 12 A.M
Cuisines: English, French, European
10. T-Rex
If you’re a steak enthusiast, T-Rex restaurant stands out as the top spot for fast food in Mashhad. The restaurant boasts a thoroughly modern and stylish atmosphere, further enhanced by its location outside the city, offering a delightful terrace experience.
Patrons who’ve visited T-Rex unanimously praise its unique steak offerings. However, beyond that, the restaurant also offers a variety of burgers. Appetizers include mashed and baked potatoes, and you can also opt for lasagna.
Address: Shandiz road, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: from 12 P.M to 12:30 A.M
Cuisines: European
11. Baba Ghodrat
Baba Ghodrat restaurant is situated within the heart of one of Mashhad’s oldest structures. Dating back more than two centuries to the Qajar era, this building underwent reconstruction by experts from the Cultural Heritage Organization in 2001. Presently, the Baba Ghodrat building serves as a restaurant, a traditional tea house, and a traditional bazaar. Over time, it has garnered renown as one of the premier dining destinations in Mashhad.
Address: No. 16, Sadr, 17TH shahrivar, Kuy-e-Karagaran, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: from 12 P.M to 11 P.M
Cuisines: Persian
12. Taranom
The restaurant is situated within the Mashhad Golden Palace International Hotel. However, you need not be a hotel guest to savor its delicious cuisine. Non-resident patrons are welcome to visit Taranom restaurant for lunch and dinner.
The restaurant’s furniture and walls are adorned with Slimi patterns and authentic Iranian paintings. The staff also dress in ancient Iranian attire, fully embracing the restaurant’s theme. Moreover, traditional Iranian music fills the atmosphere, complementing the ambiance, while all dishes are elegantly presented in traditional copperware.
Address: Imam Reza Blvd, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: , from 12 P.M to 12 A.M
Cuisines: Persian
13. Eram
The Eram restaurant is divided into three sections: traditional, open space, and a VIP hall. Guests have the flexibility to dine in their preferred area. Notably, the VIP section has been operational since 2010. Besides being among Mashhad’s most sought-after dining spots, this restaurant ranks as one of Khorasan Razavi province’s largest, spanning an area of over 12 thousand square meters. This expansive space makes Eram Shandiz the ideal choice in Mashhad for those with large groups or who prefer open, spacious settings over enclosed, crowded environments.
The Chalukbabs and shishliks at this restaurant enjoy immense popularity, attracting a majority of its customers. The restaurant’s kebabs, in particular, are a favorite among diners. Notably, the shishliks here rank among the top three in Mashhad.
What sets Eram Shandiz restaurant in Mashhad apart is its unique offering: patrons pay only for their main meal while receiving a variety of complimentary side dishes. This distinctive feature defines Eram Shandiz; for instance, ordering a shishlik means paying solely for the dish itself, with additional complimentary sides such as yogurt, buttermilk, and bread served at no extra cost.
Address: Shandiz
The working hours are as follows: from 11:30 A.M to 11:30 P.M
Cuisines: Persian
14. Rastgoo
This restaurant has been in operation for over half a century. Apart from public dining, it offers the opportunity to host social and business gatherings, celebrations, and ceremonies. To facilitate this, it’s advisable to coordinate necessary arrangements with the restaurant a few days prior to your planned event.
Rastgoo restaurant was founded in 1346 AD by Mr. Reza Rastgoo and has been serving customers for over 50 years, steadily growing its clientele. With the increasing patronage, the restaurant gradually modernized its decor to a more sophisticated and VIP-style ambiance. The restaurant, with its sole branch in Mashhad, boasts popular dishes like cheloberg and shishlik.
Address: Vakil Abad Ave
The working hours are as follows: from 11:30 A.M to 11:30 P.M
Cuisines: Persian
15. Mahstan
Mahstan restaurant presents a diverse range of high-quality Iranian dishes. With its appealing ambiance, the restaurant crafts a wonderful setting for a memorable dining experience. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating options, Mahstan is conveniently located near one of Mashhad’s premier shopping centers, Armitage Tower. This proximity stands as one of Mahstan’s distinct advantages, ensuring easy accessibility. Hence, in terms of location, this restaurant stands out as one of the best in Mashhad.
Address: Golestan Ave, Haft-e Tir Blvd, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: from 11 A.M to 12 A.M
Cuisines: Persian
16. Lio
Seeking Italian cuisine in Mashhad? Lio’s restaurants come highly recommended. Lio is one of Mashhad’s renowned dining spots, specializing in Italian cuisine. If you have a penchant for Italian flavors, exploring this restaurant’s dishes is a must.
Lio Mashhad restaurant offers a diverse array of pizzas, presenting a myriad of tempting flavors that might pose a challenge in making your choice. Beyond pizzas, the restaurant serves various pasta types and dishes like lasagna, providing ample options to suit individual tastes.
Address: 21th Reza, Mollasadra Blvd, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: On Saturdays to Thursdays from 12:30 P.M to 1:00 A.M and on Fridays from 7:00 P.M to 1:00 A.M
Cuisines: Italian
17. Cedrus
This restaurant, like other renowned eateries in Mashhad, offers traditional dishes like chelukbab and shishlik. However, what sets Cedrus restaurant apart are some unique items on its menu. Alongside the traditional dishes, the inclusion of drinks, ice cream, and a varied selection of bread on trays provides ample choices. With this menu, almost anyone, irrespective of their palate, can curate a memorable feast of flavors at this restaurant.
Address: Debel khuzai, Mashhad – Shandiz
The working hours are as follows: from 8 A.M to 10 P.M
Cuisines: Persian
18. Omid
Those who prefer Omid’s grilled dishes often recommend the pounded version. This specific Chelukbabi branch doesn’t have any other locations at the moment. It’s essential to note that multiple restaurants share the same name in Mashhad. Therefore, it’s advisable to gather information about the specific restaurant before making plans to dine there. Omid Restaurant stands out as the top choice for those seeking the best dining experiences in Mashhad at reasonable prices.
Furthermore, Chelukbabi Omid has held the title for the most renowned kebabs in Mashhad for many years.
Address: Shahid hanaei st, 12th Imam Reza
The working hours are as follows: from 12 P.M to 12 A.M
Cuisines: Persian
19. Padideh shandiz
This restaurant is situated in the delightful summer area of Mashhad, boasting a beautiful and pleasant atmosphere. Padideh Shandiz restaurant offers a pavilion ambiance, ideal for enjoying refreshing summer nights. Here, you can savor the exquisite flavors of authentic Mashhad shishlik—a highlight of the Padideh Shandiz.
Address: 11th valiasr, shandiz
The working hours are as follows: from 12 P.M to 12 A.M
Cuisines: Persian
20. Ayooni
The Ayooni restaurant in Mashhad is one of the city’s finest dining spots, situated in the Reza Shahr neighborhood. Despite NOT featuring pasta, pepperoni pizza, lasagna, burgers, steak, or beef stroganoff, it captivates the hearts of Daisy and Iranian cuisine enthusiasts. With its seasoned staff and inviting atmosphere, it offers a delightful setting for lunch or dinner in Mashhad.
Address: 14th Piruzi, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: from 10 am–12 am
Cuisines: Persian
21. Dango
Dango restaurant offers a variety of Italian pizzas. The restaurant serves outdoor pizzas with diameters of 25, 30, and 50 cm. If you’re seeking the taste of distinct and high-quality pizza, be sure to try Dango’s Pizza. Don’t forget, the special sauces at this restaurant also boast wonderful flavors. Dango’s pizza style leans towards outdoor dining, though there’s a small seating area available. Additionally, this restaurant serves its delicious pizzas by the slice!
Address: 3th Seyyed Razi, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: from 1 am–4 pm, 6 pm–12 am
Cuisines: Italian, American, pizza, burger
22. Dusoleil
For a delightful experience with friends and family in a beautiful setting where you can enjoy both a delicious meal and coffee, remember Dusoleil restaurant cafe. This café offers both indoor seating and a rooftop garden. Besides the high-quality and delightful taste of its food, you can relish this lovely environment for gatherings with family and friends. When you visit this restaurant, make sure to try Dusoleil’s pizza, steak.
Address: 5th suzanchi
The working hours are as follows: from 8:30 am–12:30 am
Cuisines: American
23. Candle
Candle fast food crafts memorable experiences for its customers through a pleasant atmosphere and professional staff. This establishment offers unique fries that are immensely popular among its patrons. Moreover, for a truly delicious sandwich experience, don’t overlook the Zinger Candle sandwich.
Address: 11th Rudaki
The working hours are as follows: from 8 am–2 am
Cuisines: Pizza
24. Firouze restaurant
Firouze restaurant, situated within Almas 2 hotel, hosts numerous gatherings in Mashhad. The hotel’s facade offers a 360-degree panorama overlooking the city, and the shrine of 8th Imam. The evenings at Turquoise Restaurant and its sunsets can create delightful memories. The restaurant’s layout features a soothing turquoise blue color scheme, creating a pleasant and tranquil ambiance. Its menu is comprehensive, offering a variety of Iranian seafood dishes, grilled chicken and meat, kebabs, rice, soup, salads, desserts, and more.
Address: 17th floor, almas 2 hotel, Mashhad
The working hours are as follows: 7:30–10:30 am, 1–4 pm, 8 pm–12 am
Cuisines: Italian, Persian, European, sea food
Finally
While you’re on your trip to Mashhad, I highly recommend trying Iranian food at least once, even if you’re not sure what to expect. Additionally, among the restaurants I’ve featured in this blog, there are plenty of options such as fast food, pizza, and burgers for you to choose from.