What's the first place you recommend to friends visiting Liverpool?

Liverpool welcomed more than 30m visitors to the city last year and for people who live locally we know exactly why. It's a beautiful city with a unique culture, loads going on in terms of art, museums, architecture and history, and amazing nightlife.

But everyone has a favourite, even if we say we don't, and we want to know what instantly comes to mind when a friend or relative asks that immortal question: "I'm coming to Liverpool soon. What do you recommend?"

Read more: I thought buying Aldi's wooden toys would be easy - I was wrong

Read more: Christmas market returns to city centre venue for one weekend only

For me I know if someone is asking where they should go for their tea I always say Maray on Bold Street. It's so difficult to get away from chain restaurants that make every city feel the same so we need to shout about stand-out independents like Maray, which takes its cue from middle east flavours but does its own thing with them.

It's not a vegetarian place but you can easily eat veggie there so it covers a lot of bases. And if you don't believe me you should believe the Observer's food critic Jay Rayner.

I did a quick ask around the office and got these recommendations in a few minutes:

1. MerseyMade - shop selling items from Liverpool businesses and lovely cafe - especially the nook upstairs.

2. Rough Hand Made - best coffee in Liverpool in Lottie Gibbons' opinion with pastries 'as large as your head'. It is in the Albert Dock now as sadly the Penny Lane one has closed down.

3. Otterspool Park - Sefton Park and Calderstones Park get all the plaudits but Otterspool is a hidden gem and a real sanctuary.

4. Hey Farina!, Richmond Street - classic pasta dishes at really good prices

5. The Little Taproom on Aigburth Road.

6. Tail