A flaky thief has picked up more than just his fish and chips at a Melbourne takeaway shop.

A man ordered fish and chips at a Carlton store before robbing the upstairs office and stealing a “significant” amount of cash from an unlocked safe on Wednesday afternoon (AEST).

Feeling peckish after the burglary, he returned downstairs, picked up his order and left.

It is not the first time the man has raided a fast food shop.

He was caught red-handed in the office of a yoghurt store, also in Carlton, on May 30.

The man, believed to be aged in his late 20s or early 30s, was confronted by staff and left the store empty-handed.

Police said the man is Caucasian, about 185cm tall with a medium build and dark hair.