Footage has emerged of a violent fight involving a group of men at popular Greek restaurant Stalactites in Melbourne's CBD.

SHOCKING footage of chairs and tables being broken over men’s heads during a violent brawl at a popular late-night Greek restaurant in the city has gone viral.

The video, taken at Stalactites in Lonsdale St and uploaded to YouTube on Sunday with the description “people fighting at a Greek restaurant over a table”, already has almost 170,000 views and has been picked up by international media.

Diners appeared amused at first, laughing and continuing to eat as a group of nearby men got into a heated argument.

Staff tried to defuse the situation, but it quickly escalated when one man pushed another, leading patrons to scurry to safety as punches were thrown, and plates and cutlery sent flying around the room.

One woman could be heard repeatedly screaming “Stop it!” as chairs and tables were lifted above heads and cracked over men’s backs and heads.

It ended with the manager yelling for everyone to leave, but not before a female patron cheekily asked: “Do I get a refund on my souvlaki?”

Stalactites confirmed the incident but stressed it happened more than five years ago.

It posted on its Facebook page: “This is a situation that happened over five years ago and all the people involved were dealt with by the police and media at the time. Hold the press guys! Its old news! Nothing like free publicity though!”

Stalactites is famous for its giros souvlaki and has been a part of Melbourne city’s culture for more than three decades.

rebekah.cavanagh@news.com.au