The region's operators from wine country to the waterfront received a nod in the 2020 New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence.

The winners include Vines Restaurant at Hollydene Estate in Jerrys Plains, east of Denman.

Vines Restaurant won not only the Tourism Restaurant category, but also the Consumer Vote Award at the 2020 New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence.

Owners Gary and Karen Williams said to be announced as winners in two categories is a huge achievement and fantastic recognition for the Upper Hunter as a whole.

"As a family owned and run business we take pride in what we offer and work hard to promote this stunning region - not always an easy task being so far Sydney," Karen said.

"We are especially proud to have been recognised as the Tourism Restaurant award winner when up against the many fantastic restaurants in areas closer to the city.

"As a business we always try and source our produce locally and with Paddock to Plate being at the heart of our philosophy the impact of winning such prestigious awards will be felt far beyond our restaurant."

The Awards for Excellence is a nationally recognised, independently judged awards program that celebrates exceptional service and culinary talent across the state.

Other Hunter winners included Newcastle's Nagisa Japanense restaurant (Asian restaurant) and EXP at Pokolbin (contemporary Australian restaurant - formal), the Commonwealth Hotel (restaurant in a pub/club/tavern), Corlette's The Wild Herring (seafood restaurant), eRemo (Italian restaurant) and Broadmeadow's Sprout Catering (event caterer).

Finalists included Goldfish Bar and Grill, Merewether's Sapphire Indian Restaurant, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, The Galley Kitchen at The Anchorage in Port Stephens and Harrigan's.

The awards are judged by an independent team who anonymously visit the venues to determine the winners with scores based on the entire dining experience from food to the customer service.

The full list of category winners are available at www.rca.asn.au