Some restaurants ease into the scene, quietly finding their rhythm. Sincero Ristorante & Bar didn’t get that memo. Opened in April 2024 by a powerhouse team of four Italians with hatted and Michelin-starred pedigrees, this newcomer arrived with its foot on the gas, delivering refined, ingredient-driven Italian fare with the kind of confidence that suggests it’s been here forever.
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It's perfect for date nights or a cozy catch up with a bottle of wineYou need to try the specials that change each week, and come back for the gnocchi and eye filletLook out for half-size cocktails, so you can try a varietyRead moreSincero Ristorante & Bar, located in Malvern an inner suburb of Melbourne, is run by four Italians with years of experience in Michelin-starred and hatted restaurants in Melbourne and overseas. Here you will experience authentic Italian hospitality with dishes built on a foundation of traditional Italian flavours and techniques using the finest produce. Choose from their la carte or degustation menu, to discover delicious Italian tastes
Sincero's intimate private dining room upstairs seats up to eight guests. From the moment you step into their cosy dining room to the last bite of your dessert, you will be assured of an exceptional Italian dining experiencePhotography: Courtesy of Sincero
A modern take on tradition
Located on Malvern’s High Street, Sincero Ristorante & Bar offers a contemporary yet cosy dining experience. The sleek, modern design features reflective surfaces that open the space up, while Sculptural lighting casts a soft, inviting glow. The restaurant also boasts an intimate upstairs dining area offering a more secluded and exclusive dining experience for private events or special occasions.
Whether you opt for à la carte or surrender to the full degustation experience, the menu reflects a deep respect for Italian culinary heritage, but there’s nothing predictable about its execution. Traditional flavours and techniques form the foundation, yet each dish is elevated through meticulous sourcing, modern presentation, and a touch of ingenuity. A starter of poached calamari encapsulates this. Its delicate strands curling like handmade pasta. Tender and perfectly balanced with citrus, potato purée, and black olive jam, it is so artfully composed it could hang in the NGV.
The Homemade Seaweed Spaghetti pairs delicate strands of pasta with Moreton Bay Bugs, roasted fennel, and a touch of blood orange gel for a burst of sunshine, walking the fine line between indulgence and freshness. The Sher Wagyu Eye Fillet MS8+ also commands attention. The precisely cooked cut of beef is served alongside roasted beetroot, grilled peaches, and a deep, wine-infused Valpolicella jus, the contrast of earthiness and sweetness elevating the dish beyond a standard steak offering.
Dessert calls on classic ingredients but reinvents them with finesse. Ovetto Alla Carbonara – a whimsical creation designed to look like a fried egg – where layers of white chocolate foam, zabaglione cream, candied guanciale, almond crumble, and salted caramel come together for a playfully decadent finish.
Liquid Magic
Sincero Ristorante & Bar boasts an impressive cellar of fine wines hand-selected from the finest winemakers by sommelier, Fabio Magliano. His carefully curated wine list is designed to complement the ingenuity of the menu and features a balanced mix of both international and Italian labels, including a bold Barolo and a crisp Friulano.
The cocktail menu is a little more playful. A spritz of homemade limoncello, camomile syrup, Angelo Bortolin Prosecco, and mint water is light and refreshing, while the Umami Negroni takes a bold turn – London dry gin infused with Parmigiano Reggiano, paired with 1757 Cinzano and Campari infused with basil and tomato water for a unique twist on an old favourite.
A bold, refined addition to Melbourne’s dining scene
With its commitment to quality, technique, and a modern approach to Italian cuisine, Sincero Ristorante & Bar delivers an experience that is effortlessly refined while honouring tradition. This newcomer hasn’t just tentatively stepped into Melbourne’s competitive dining scene – it has arrived fully formed, already certain of its place in the city’s competitive dining landscape.