Melbourne's hottest dining pop-up is hidden in a synagogue and opens once a week

The Age

a day ago

In Australia and many other countries, younger generations are less religious than ever before, despite the best efforts of religious leaders. So what's the real secret to getting them back through the doors? If Rintel's Diner is anything to go by, perhaps it's food.
The Thursday night pop-up, run by chef Gitai Ifergan and collaborator Babs Rapeport, has been operating out of the East Melbourne Synagogue since mid-May thanks to a deal with the resident rabbi, Dovid Gutnick. (Rapeport previously ran an art gallery in the same space.)
It's regularly booked out for a month ahead (even following an arson attack on the synagogue on July 4), though walk-ins early in the evening are welcome.
There's some congregation crossover, but most of the seats are filled by younger diners, from within and outside the Jewish community. They say they're drawn by the restaurant's DIY ethos, accessible pricing (at the time of writing, no dish costs more than $21), and a menu that highlights Jewish diaspora dishes, including the stew cholent, rarely seen in Melbourne.