SINCERO
Authentic Italian, Sincerely Reimagined
Opening in April 2024, Sincero has quickly become a destination for Melbourne diners seeking a fresh approach to Italian fine dining.
Sincero is the second venue from Italian hospitality professionals Cinzia Buono, Fabio Magliano, Daniele Ruffolo and Mirco Speri. With experience in Michelin-starred and hatted restaurants in Australia and abroad, they met while working in Melbourne, forming a close bond through their shared passion for hospitality and creativity.
In 2020 they opened their first restaurant, Buono, in Parkdale. Three years later, they envisioned a new fine dining venue that would honour their Italian heritage while reimagining Italian cuisine for the future.
Finding the perfect location on bustling Glenferrie Road in Malvern, they built a luxurious yet cosy dining space, offering the ideal ambience for guests to savour exceptional food, wine and service. Whether dining alone, in a small group or in the intimate private dining room, Cinzia, Fabio, Daniele and Mirco are sincerely committed to offering each guest an unforgettable experience.
Cinzia Buono
Born in Switzerland to Italian parents, Cinzia Buono’s love for authentic Italian hospitality blossomed during her frequent childhood trips to Italy. From an early age, Cinzia realised that Italian hospitality was more than just serving exceptional food and wine; it was about creating meaningful moments and deep connections with family and friends.
Initially pursuing a career in IT, Cinzia moved to Australia in 2017 and took the leap to follow her true passion – hospitality. It didn’t take long for Cinzia to make her mark, quickly excelling at fine dining venues across Sydney, Broome and Melbourne.
Despite her success, Cinzia was eager to forge her own path and create a new concept in Italian dining, blending tradition with innovation. When she discovered that Fabio, Daniele and Mirco shared her vision, she knew she had found the ideal team to make the vision a reality. Cinzia’s dedication to hospitality has been pivotal in the success of Buono, and now shines through in every aspect of Sincero.
Fabio Magliano
Known for his deep knowledge of wine, certified sommelier Fabio Magliano has Italian hospitality coursing through his veins. Growing up in a wine-producing family in a small village near Italy’s Amalfi Coast, and working alongside his chef uncle from the age of 14, Fabio’s path to a career in hospitality was natural and swift.
Fabio earned hospitality and sommelier qualifications in Italy and later obtained his WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. His early career took him to London, where he honed his skills at Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli. In 2014, Fabio moved to Melbourne and quickly established himself as a trusted sommelier in the local Italian fine dining scene, later becoming the restaurant manager at Pastore.
Fabio was thrilled to create Buono and Sincero with Cinzia, Daniele and Mirco, whom he now considers family, along with his loyal customers. Always on the lookout for unique wines to expand his knowledge. Fabio takes pride in helping guests find the perfect pairing for their meal.
Daniele Ruffolo
Chef Daniele Ruffolo puts a piece of his heart on every plate he prepares. As a child in Milan, he fondly remembers helping his mother make traditional homemade pasta on the first Sunday of every month. Though Milan is in northern Italy, his parents were from the south, infusing his cooking with a unique blend of influences but leaning towards southern Italian cuisine.
After earning his chef qualifications and gaining early work experience in Italy, Daniele moved to Melbourne in 2017. His interest in reinterpreting classic Italian dishes flourished, driven by Australia’s abundance of fresh, high-quality produce.
While working at top Italian restaurants in Melbourne, he was thrilled to meet Cinzia, Fabio and Mirco and discover their shared approach to Italian dining. Daniele is proud to have played a key role in the creation of Buono and Sincero, and to now be the head chef at Buono, where his passion and creativity come to life in every dish.
Mirco Speri
Sincero’s head chef, Mirco Speri, knew from a young age that he would become a chef. His passion for food took hold while growing up in Verona, northern Italy, inspired by family picnics overlooking Lake Garda.
After training at the prestigious Luigi Carnacina culinary school, Mirco spent three years working in restaurants across Italy before honing his craft in Michelin-starred kitchens overseas, including Neat in Cannes and Stefano Cavallini at the Halkin Hotel in London.
Since arriving in Melbourne in 2002, Mirco has become one of the city’s most respected head chefs, leading the kitchen at numerous hatted and acclaimed restaurants including The Point, The European/Supper Club, Mezzo and Pastore. His culinary philosophy combines innovation with exceptional technique and flavour, making him the perfect choice to bring Cinzia, Fabio and Daniele’s vision to life – first at Buono, and now at Sincero.
A mentor to many emerging chefs, Mirco values the sense of community at Sincero and loves stepping out of the kitchen to engage with guests.