A Vancouver restaurant worker was shot in the face after an attempted robbery at a Cambie street restaurant Monday night.

The worker was allegedly confronted by the two masked suspects around 10:45 p.m. PT as he was taking out the trash behind the Tropika restaurant at 2975 Cambie St. near 15th Avenue, police said.

The Tropika Restaurant on Cambie Street in Vancouver. (Google Street View)

A struggle ensued and one of the suspects allegedly shot the worker in the cheek with a pellet gun.

Sgt. Randy Fincham said the worker was able to escape into the restaurant and call for help, but he was pursued by one of the masked men. The struggle continued in the restaurant until another worker managed to call 911.

The suspects left through the back doors of the restaurant, where police believe there might have been a waiting vehicle.

The suspects did not get away with any money, and no arrests have been made.

"At this point it does look like a robbery attempt. We believe the motive was money," Fincham said.

"It appears these two men tried to force their way into the back of the restaurant … it doesn't look to be anything targeted at the individual."

The worker was taken to hospital with unspecified injuries. Fincham said the pellet gun inflicted "significant damage" to the man's face.

Investigators will be in the area today looking for video surveillance or witnesses.