Il Brutto

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

The Name Says It All

Translated as "The Ugly," Il Brutto takes its name from the iconic Spaghetti Western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly — a wink at the restaurant's spirited personality and old-world Italian soul. It's a fitting emblem for a place that wears its character openly: no pretense, just honest cooking rooted in tradition and shaped by the energy of East 6th Street in Austin.

The Kitchen Behind It

Executive Chef Erind Halilaj, an Italian native, leads the kitchen with a focus on seasonal ingredients and thoughtful technique. His approach is grounded in classic Italian cooking — the kind where handmade pasta is made fresh daily and the bread earns its place on the table. Gambero Rosso recognized Il Brutto with a Fork award in 2023, a mark of credibility that reflects the kitchen's commitment to doing things properly.

What's on the Table

The menu moves through the full arc of an Italian meal. Antipasti lean on quality sourcing — 24-month Prosciutto di Parma with buffalo mozzarella, Hawaiian kanpachi crudo with passion fruit and calabrian chili, and burrata crostini with Sciacca anchovies. Locally foraged Cap City lion's mane and oyster mushrooms appear in both the fired mushroom starter and the Funghi pizza.

Pasta is the heart of the operation. Tonnarelli cacio e pepe with 14-month pecorino romano, pappardelle with lamb ragù and sangiovese, squid ink ciriole with Sardinian bottarga, and agnolotti filled with ricotta and goat cheese, finished with orange zest and pistachio — each dish reflects genuine Italian technique with carefully chosen ingredients. A dollar from every cacio e pepe sold goes to The Missy Project, a quiet but meaningful gesture woven into the menu.

Pizzas come with a similarly considered touch: fior di latte, San Marzano, taleggio, and 24-month prosciutto di Parma feature across the selection. For secondi, a 20 oz Texas ribeye and lamb scottadito with fried artichokes and crispy kataifi bring local and Mediterranean instincts together.

The Feel of the Place

A tavola non s'invecchia — "at the table, one does not age" — is the philosophy Il Brutto lives by. The restaurant is part of the New Waterloo hospitality group and offers outdoor seating, making it a natural fit for Austin's climate and the neighborhood's relaxed rhythm. It's the kind of Italian restaurant that earns its place in a city not known for them.