Senior Constable Sean Drader said the man broke into Bespoke Kitchen, named the New Zealand Cafe of the Year in 2016, at 9.40pm.
"There was a lock on the rear door. He’s used something to crack it.
"There’s all sorts of scratches on it, too."
The burglar spent about 10 minutes inside, his every move captured by CCTV cameras.
Snr Const Drader said the man first stole cakes — banana bread and lemon slices — before going back for the till, which had "a few hundred dollars" in it.
"Then he got more cakes.
"He was definitely hungry."
He entered the cafe with a backpack, but left with two bags, having found one inside the Isle St premises.
Snr Const Drader said the bearded man was about 177cm tall and was wearing a beanie and a jacket with distinctive stripes.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Queenstown police.
