We asked on Facebook: What foods or restaurants do you insist out-of-town guests try when visiting the upper Texas Coast?

Maceo Spice and Import Company is worth the trip in order to indulge in the smells of the many spices. The food is good, too.

– Kathleen Brennan

I have three standbys for visitors who generally want a laid-back attitude kind of dining and atmosphere: TopWater in San Leon, where everything is prepared fresh and the wonderful pelicans show off; The Spot on the island looking out at the Gulf; and Hotel Galvez brunch to absorb a part of the history and choices of an amazing array of foods.

– Jan Goudeau Lawrence

The Reef Seafood House in Texas City or Killen’s Steakhouse in Pearland.

– Charles McCullough

Gilhooley’s and Killen’s Steakhouse.

– Cheryl Fortune

Floyd’s at NASA Road 1; great shrimp and the best chicken and sausage gumbo.

– Lew Fincher

When we go to Galveston, it’s DiBella’s and Shrimp ‘N Stuff. Yum.

– Pamela Fairchild Quintanilla

Definitely TopWater Grill. How fresh is their seafood? The shrimp boat is at their dock.

– Linda Bell Burton

BLVD Seafood; Fisherman’s Wharf (so you can eat looking at the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa); Star Drug; Sky Bar Steak & Sushi and Queen’s Bar-B-Que.

– Joyce H. McLean

The Fish Stack at BLVD.

– Karen Look

Stingaree (in Crystal Beach) oyster season is probably the best deal around, that is if you like oysters. Their other seafood is just as good.

– Jack Buxton

Gaido’s always! The atmosphere is the best.

– Lynda Cole

Olympia Grill and Saltwater Grill.

– Janell Shaw

Olympia Grill — either location.

– Caroll Cobb

Yaga’s.

– Dee Ann Richmond

Yaga’s.

– Laura McNamara Makris

Leo’s in La Marque, at Bayou and Magnolia. Cheeseburger, fries, onion rings and drink for $4.99! Been doing it since the seventh grade. Same grill.

– Bobby Hocking

Gringo’s in Texas City.

– Patti Abschneider

Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack in Kemah and Opus in Clear Lake Shores, but everyone usually asks to go to the Kemah Boardwalk.

– Rick Wade

Texas Star Bakery — homemade pork tamales and fruit empanadas.

– William R. Powell

Opus Bistro.

– Stevy Curbow

La Brisa on the Creek in League City for Mexican.

– Jan Johnson

Shearn’s Seafood and Prime Steaks at Moody Gardens, of course. Franco is the best.

– Ruth Gonzalez

The Spot to enjoy good food and the atmosphere is always my first suggestion. I’ve actually had people, upon hearing I’m from Galveston, bring up The Spot and how much they love going there. Nice meal — Rudy & Paco. Breakfast/brunch, Farley Girls Café.

– Taylor Wilson

(Rudy &) Paco crab cakes and bread pudding.

– Christy Benson

Farley Girls Café, of course. And Jimmy’s on the Pier.

– Thomas Heil

Tookie’s Seafood. Awesome!

– Don Walker

Shrimp ‘N Stuff and Benno’s.

– Elizabeth J. Hernandez

Shrimp ‘N Stuff.

– JessieAnn Bradshaw

Tropic Tease at Oasis Juice Bar & Market; Eatcetera, The Sunflower Bakery & Café; Mosquito Café and Shrimp ‘N Stuff.

– Richard Denson

Oasis Juice Bar & Market.

– Kathleen DiNatale