Police have appealed to the community for assistance after the armed robbery of a restaurant at Port Macquarie this week.

About 9.10pm on Tuesday 27 August, two employees and two patrons were in a restaurant on Watonga Street.

A 21-year-old man was cleaning in the kitchen area when he was confronted by a man who had his face concealed and was armed with a knife.

A 28-year-old woman employee noticed the man and asked the patrons to contact police.

After attempting to open one cash register unsuccessfully, the man eventually grabbed cash from another till and fled on foot along Bourne Street. No one was injured during the robbery.

Police from the Mid North Coast Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene. The officers also searched the area and conducted a canvass of nearby homes without success.

Police are now looking for a man they believe can assist with their investigation. He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 183cm tall and with a slim build. He is believed to be in his late teens or early 20s and was wearing a black ‘hoodie’, tracksuit pants and running shoes.