A Melbourne restaurant part-owned by celebrity chef George Calombaris has closed for at least 24 hours due to food poisoning.

Victoria's Health Department says Hellenic Republic in Kew has closed voluntarily to clean its kitchen.

Boroondara Council will oversee the clean-up and decide when the restaurant can reopen.

Health officials were alerted when several groups of diners suffered food poisoning after eating at the restaurant on Mother's Day.