Controversial columnist and TV show host Andrew Bolt has been attacked by protesters outside a Melbourne restaurant following a book launch.

Two men attacked the Sky News host and News Corp Australia columnist after a book launch at an Italian restaurant on Melbourne's famous Lygon St at 12.15pm on Tuesday.

Bolt told Sky News he was approached by a woman who wanted a selfie when he was "jumped".

A still image shows Andrew Bolt being accosted at a book launch. (Twitter)

"Two masked protesters then jumped me, spraying me in the face and all over my suit with some sticky liquid with some glitter and dye,' he said.

The columnist called the men "left-wing facists" on Twitter and said it was a "cowardly" attack, which shows "another warning of the rising violence of the left".

The two men were wearing hooded jumpers and were believed to have thrown shaving cream and glitter, police say.

A Victoria Police spokesman said a "short scuffle" took place before the offenders fled.

Another male was spotted filming or taking photos of the incident, but police say no one was injured in the attack.