Hawke's Bay police are investigating the aggravated robbery of Napier's Pita Pit restaurant by a man without any shoes.

The man wearing dark clothing and one black sock and the other white - but no shoes, walked into the outlet on the corner of Kennedy Road and Georges Road at around 10 this morning with a knife.

Police say he demanded money from the only staff member working at the time who placed cash into the man's black Puma backpack.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Vining it's likely the offender lives close by, or was picked up - given his lack of footwear.

He's asking for anyone with information to let them know.