Drama has many goodies and delicacies that, if you find yourself up north, you should make a stop or even a detour to enjoy the town.
This weekend, the Drama Hotel Association is organising the 3rd Drama Festival of Gastronomy. The prized product is mushrooms. So, if you haven’t arranged anything this weekend, it’s the perfect last-minute trip.
The Hotel Association of Drama knows very well that the local wines, mushrooms, the famous potatoes of Nevrokopi, pomegranates, honey, meat and cheese products, and incredible recipes can easily make it a culinary destination.
That is why they decided in 2022 to organise the 1st Culinary Festival, which took place in the forecourt of the Railway Station and was a great success.
Three years later, the association continues to manage the 3rd Festival, which features lots of goodies in the Municipal Garden of Drama, a green location with towering trees and running water.
The culinary tradition of Drama is extremely rich, with strong influences from the refugees of Asia Minor, who settled in the area after the disaster of 1922, as well as from Pontus, Cappadocia, Armenia, Thrace, the Pomaks and the Sarakatsani.
Food is a daily necessity and a true art that tells stories and traditions.
What does the program include? Local products of Drama, culinary creations by local chefs, and music for an after-tasting party. This means you will enjoy strong flavours, be entertained by beautiful tunes, and, why not, dance too?
Of course, while you’re in Drama, it’s worth visiting one of the area’s wineries and tasting their unique wines.
Don’t miss the small kebabs inside the lagana at Kalamia’s steakhouse (Labrianidou Lambrou 1, Tel: 2521024149), the meatballs with paprika and the gigandes with sausage at Tebelarcheio (M. Agathangelou 1, Tel: 6971806926), or the wonderful meat menu of La griglia da Routsis (Pericleos Kavda 39, Tel: 2521030998).
Also, note that Entrades combines Greek tradition with dishes from different parts of the world, which makes it particularly interesting (Skra 84, Tel: 2521022600).
If you want to stay in the city centre, overlooking the magnificent park of the Springs of Agia Varvara, book a room at the Hydrama Grand Hotel. This hotel has a unique aesthetic and is part of the city’s history (Tel: 2521033322).
Ideal accommodation for those who want to be in the centre is the Aya Hotel, a breath away from the Springs of Agia Varvara and with a somewhat younger profile (Tel: 2521033090).
If you now wish to stay outside the centre, Kouros at the entrance of the city has a more classy atmosphere and is a good choice (Tel: 2521057200).
Voula Akrivaki is a columnist for Travel. Translated by Paul Antonopoulos.
READ MORE: Katogi Averoff: The Metsovo vineyard is Intangible Cultural Heritage of Greece.
