Shandiz is a resort town in the Binalud foothills west of Mashhad, larger and more developed than its neighbour Torghabeh a few kilometres down the valley. Its fame is almost entirely culinary: Shandiz is known nationally for its shish kebab, and above all for shishlik, the local speciality of huge lamb chops grilled over charcoal.
The road through town is lined with vast riverside restaurants, many with open-air terraces and small channels of water running through the dining areas to keep things cool. Eating here is a leisurely, social affair — large family groups settle in for hours, and the portions are generous to the point of excess. The cooler mountain air and the running water make it a genuine relief from a Mashhad summer.
Friday lunchtimes are extraordinarily busy, with queues at the best-known places; come midweek or in the evening for an easier experience, when reservations are rarely necessary. Shandiz pairs naturally with Torghabeh into a single afternoon-and-evening outing from the city. A taxi from Mashhad takes well under an hour, and shared cars run regularly up the valley.