For many Londoners, the legendary queues outside Crisp Pizza in Hammersmith were a tantalising yet frustrating barrier to tasting its celebrated pies. Now, founder Carl McCluskey has brought his doughy phenomenon to the heart of the capital, setting up shop in the basement of a historic Mayfair pub.
From Pub Lockdown Start to Viral Sensation
The Crisp story began in the unlikeliest of times. Carl McCluskey launched the venture from The Chancellors pub in Hammersmith, which he took over from his grandmother at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown. Its reputation soared into the stratosphere in 2022 after a rave review from the influential American critic Dave Portnoy and his Barstool ‘One Bite’ Pizza Review.
This endorsement transformed the spot into a cheese-topped cult classic. Demand skyrocketed, with McCluskey soon baking more than 500 pizzas per day. The queues of eager customers regularly stretched a considerable distance, a sight that, while impressive, could mean a wait of up to three hours for a slice.
A New Home in a Renovated Mayfair Icon
The exciting news of a move to Central London – specifically to Mayfair and the basement of The Marlborough on North Audley Street – has finally given more diners a chance to experience the hype without a marathon wait. The location is a significant upgrade in more ways than one.
Upstairs, the pub itself has been meticulously renovated by the team behind the acclaimed Devonshire. The refurbishment has restored The Marlborough to its original grandeur, featuring claret and club-green ceilings, porticoed snugs, and artfully aged wood. It now offers excellent Guinness, classic snacks like Scampi Fries, and the timeless ambiance of a historic London boozer where you’ll want to settle in for a while.
Exceptionally Fine Pizza Worth the Pilgrimage
Descending to the Crisp basement, the atmosphere shifts to a more minimalist, tile-clad aesthetic. The seating, tucked into alcoves below archways, is cosy yet civilised. The menu focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well, in a New York style that is distinctly Crisp's own.
The signature base is crisp and crunchy without being dry, with a crust that is charred and splendidly brittle. The magic, however, lies in the premium ingredients. The San Marzano tomato sauce has a perfect acidic bite, the Fior di Latte mozzarella offers a creamy lactic allure, and the pesto swirl on the ‘Tie-Dye’ pizza is bracingly generous with fresh basil.
A word to the wise: securing a table requires strategy. Only 50% of tables can be booked, and online reservations vanish in seconds. The remaining half are kept for walk-in customers. The best advice is to avoid peak times and be prepared to wait, ideally with a pint from the excellent pub upstairs in hand.
With prices around £20 per head, Crisp in Mayfair delivers on its formidable reputation. It is a pizza destination that has successfully translated its local cult status into a central London triumph, proving it is well worth the hype.
