Local eatery, Harrisons Restaurant & Bar, has been named Queensland's Best New Restaurant at the Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence held in Brisbane on Monday night.


Restaurant owner, Spencer Patrick, highlighted the benefit of the award to the tight knit culinary community in Port Douglas.


“This is fantastic news for both ourselves and the region. For Port Douglas to have a Best In State winner shows potential visitors to Port that they can expect a really good culinary experience.


"It's a very very competitive industry in Port and shows that we're a gourmet destination that's not just about the reef and rainforest.


“I’m very proud of the team.  To have won such a prestigious award in our first year since the move is a tribute to the efforts the boys and girls have put in.”


Other Port Douglas restaurants to be nominated for State awards included Lure for Best Cafe Restaurant, Zinc for Best Contemporary Australian Restaurant, The Beach Shack for Best Family Restaurant, and Port Douglas Catering & Events for Best Caterer.


Harrisons, named after Spencer's son, will now vie for National honours in the Best New Restaurant category on 25 October.