Salsa Bar & Grill have confirmed their place as one of Queensland's favourite restaurants after picking up a gong award at Lifestyle Food Channel's 'I Love Food' awards.

The Port Douglas restaurant claimed the 'Best Modern Australian Restaurant in Queensland' award, and owners Bill Conway and Rhys Bawden were quick to focus on who has contributed to their success.

“It’s the people of the Port Douglas region, our return guests and friends who help make Salsa Bar & Grill what it is today. For this we are truly grateful,” Mr Bawden said.

The overall winner of Australia's biggest people's choice awards was Red Lantern in Sydney’s Surrey Hills, who also won Best Vietnamese.

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“Salsa would also like to congratulate Red Lantern on a fantastic win. While winning the major prize would have been brilliant exposure for the restaurant and Port Douglas, the acknowledgement of our high guest satisfaction level was our true goal,” Mr Bawden said.

Karen Goldhawk, Marketing Director of LifeStyle Channels, said viewers took the opportunity to become food critics in record numbers.

“Aussie’s love to eat out and these Awards are a wonderful opportunity for hidden culinary gems to rise to the top. With a record number of votes, the Awards offer a true insight into where and how Australian’s are eating out.

“There was a genuine international flavour to this year's results with Vietnamese, Mexican and Italian being the three most hotly contested categories," she said.

"Winning restaurants came from all parts of Australia, some already award-winning and many true local favourites. We couldn’t be happier with the results and congratulate all of this year’s winners.”