Mashhad International Airport

Mashhad International Airport may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of great Iranian food, but it genuinely surprises. The main terminal's food court, located on the departures level past security, offers a solid lineup of traditional Persian staples — think steaming bowls of ash reshteh, saffron-laced rice dishes, and freshly baked sangak bread that arrives warm enough to make you forget you're in an airport. The atmosphere is cheerful and unpretentious, drawing a mix of pilgrims, domestic travelers, and international visitors.

For something more sit-down, the dedicated restaurant near the international gates is worth a stop. It specializes in Khorasani cuisine — the regional cooking of northeastern Iran — which means you'll encounter dishes you won't easily find elsewhere. Joshpara, a hearty meat-filled dumpling simmered in fragrant broth, is a local specialty that appears on the menu and is absolutely worth ordering. Kebab platters arrive with grilled tomatoes and buttery rice, and the lamb dishes carry that distinctive slow-cooked depth that Mashhad's cooks have perfected over centuries.

If you're short on time or simply want a quick bite before boarding, the grab-and-go kiosks scattered throughout the terminal stock a fine selection of local sweets and snacks — particularly the pistachio and saffron confections for which the Khorasan region is beloved. Look for koloocheh, the subtly spiced filled cookies that make an ideal edible souvenir, and keep an eye out for freshly pressed pomegranate juice stalls that pop up seasonally. Tea, brewed strong and served in tulip-shaped glasses, is available everywhere and costs almost nothing.