A man has been stabbed and killed following an altercation at a restaurant in Melbourne's west.

The fatal stabbing happened in Caroline Springs in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Police say the attacker or attackers fled the scene and are urging any witnesses to contact them.

Emergency services were called to a Gourlay Road restaurant about 2.15am Saturday.

Paramedics attempted to treat the man at the scene but he died shortly afterwards.