The Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence were held on Wednesday night at Cairns Casino and there were quite a few Port Douglas businesses in attendance.

The awards covered all of North Queensland and the Northern Territory so there was a large field of competitors.

Among the businesses in attendance were the Port Douglas Surf Club, N17 and Harrisons but the night belonged to two businesses from Port that took home awards.

Seabean Tapas Bar Restaurant and Salsa Bar & Grill both came away with awards on Wednesday.

Nominated for the first time, Seabean Tapas Bar & Restaurant has won the 2021 Best Speciality Restaurant for Queensland and Northern Territory.

“There was some pretty stiff competition down there so we were very surprised and quite chuffed to be honest,” owner of Seabean tapas restaurant, Henry Johnston, told Newsport.

Rhys Bawden of Salsa Bar & Grill took home the 2021 Lifetime Achiever Award.

“It was quite a shock to be honest but it's very humbling and the award is really down to the hard work of a lot of people. My business partner Bill, my hardworking staff and everyone else. To be honest it's just great to see such a big turnout for the awards again after such a tough couple of years,” Bawden said.

Salsa was also named Best Contemporary Restaurant against a formidable field of amazing restaurants.

For us to get the Contemporary Restaurant award is fantastic. We won that in 2016 so it was nice to be back up on the top of the pile and it's nice to be recognised. It’s great for us and it's great for town. I’m really happy for Seabean as well to see them recognised,” he said.

Congratulations to all winners and finalists, Newsport understands celebrations ran late.