SINCERO
Authentic Italian, Sincerely Reimagined
Opening in April 2024, Sincero has quickly become a place where Melbourne diners come to enjoy Italian food that feels both familiar and thoughtfully reimagined.
Sincero is the second venue from Italian hospitality professionals Cinzia Buono, Fabio Magliano, Daniele Ruffolo and Mirco Speri. With experience in Australia and abroad — from family-run kitchens to Michelin-starred and hatted restaurants — they met while working in Melbourne and bonded through a shared passion for genuine hospitality.
Their first restaurant, Buono in Parkdale, opened in 2020. Three years later, they dreamed of creating a new space that would honour their Italian roots while presenting Italian cuisine in a fresh, modern way.
They found their home on Glenferrie Road in Malvern, creating an elegant yet warm dining room where guests can relax, feel looked after, and enjoy food made with sincerity. Whether dining solo, sharing a meal with friends, or gathering in the intimate private dining room upstairs, Cinzia, Fabio, Daniele and Mirco welcome each guest as they would in their own home, offering an experience that is heartfelt, delicious and memorable.
Cinzia Buono
Born in Switzerland to Italian parents, Cinzia Buono’s love for authentic Italian hospitality grew during her many childhood trips to Italy to visit her grandparents. From an early age, she understood that hospitality was never just about food and wine — it was about creating moments, connection and a sense of belonging around the table.
After beginning a corporate career in Switzerland, Cinzia moved to Australia in 2017 and decided to follow her true passion: hospitality. She quickly made her mark, excelling in fine dining venues across Sydney, Broome and Melbourne.
Driven to build something of her own, Cinzia began dreaming of a dining experience that blended tradition with a fresh, modern approach. When she met Fabio, Daniele and Mirco — each sharing the same vision and passion — she knew she had found the perfect team.
Cinzia’s commitment to genuine, heartfelt hospitality has been central to the success of Buono, and today it continues to shine in every detail of Sincero.
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 near Italy’s Amalfi Coast and working alongside his chef uncle from the age of 14, his path to hospitality was both natural and immediate.
Fabio later moved to London, where he refined his craft at the Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli. There, he had the privilege of serving guests ranging from the royal family to well-known personalities such as Hugh Grant and Amy Winehouse — an experience that shaped his calm, warm and detail-driven approach to service.
In 2014, Fabio relocated to Melbourne and quickly became a trusted sommelier within the city’s Italian dining scene.
Opening Buono and Sincero alongside Cinzia, Daniele and Mirco has been one of Fabio’s proudest achievements.
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.