Xanthi’s cuisine reflects both Greek and Eastern influences, shaped by its multicultural background. Traditional dishes include kavourmas (slow-cooked meat with spices), bougatsa (a pastry filled with cream or cheese), and soutzouk loukoum (a dessert similar to Turkish delight). These specialties are deeply rooted in local customs and are often served during family gatherings, festivals, or religious holidays.

In addition to its regional flavors, Xanthi also shares many elements of the broader Greek culinary tradition. Across Greece, meals are centered around fresh ingredients like olive oil, tomatoes, herbs, cheese, and seafood. Popular national dishes such as moussaka, souvlaki, dolmades, and tzatziki are also enjoyed in Xanthi. Together, the local and national cuisines offer a delicious combination of tastes and aromas, making food an essential part of the city’s cultural identity.

A symbol of the city is Xanthi’s City Hall, housed in a beautifully restored neoclassical building that once belonged to a wealthy tobacco merchant. It showcases the architectural elegance of the city's prosperous past during the tobacco trade era. Other notable cultural sites include the Manos Hadjidakis House, dedicated to the renowned composer born in Xanthi, and the city’s Cultural Center, which hosts exhibitions, concerts, and community events. The Old Town itself is an open-air museum of architecture, featuring a blend of neoclassical mansions, traditional Balkan houses, and Ottoman-style details.

Beyond Xanthi, northeastern Greece is home to many architectural treasures that reflect the region’s rich and diverse history. In nearby Komotini and Alexandroupoli, one can find beautiful churches, old mosques, Ottoman-era clock towers, and preserved public baths (hamams). The region is known for combining Greek, Thracian, and Ottoman architectural influences, creating a cultural landscape that is both varied and historically significant. These buildings tell stories of trade, coexistence, and transformation that have shaped the identity of the region as a whole.