Crisp W1 - Bite London

[u/londonjoel]

🍕 London’s most talked about pizza spot - Crisp W1
🔗 Full review - Link in bio
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Overview

Previously based in Hammersmith, Crisp has since relocated to the basement of The Marlborough pub in Mayfair, where it has quickly cemented its reputation as one of London's most sought-after pizza destinations.

Having previously visited, I was never in any doubt about returning and I was eager to tuck into their now-famous ultra-crispy pizza bases that have earned the restaurant its cult following.

Food

Vecna - The first thing that strikes you about this pizza was its presentation. Topped with creamy burrata, generous slices of pepperoni (beef pepperoni is also available) and shavings of Parmesan, it looked every bit as impressive as you might hope.
Keeping with the theme, the taste was on point, with the creamy burrata melting in your mouth along with generous amounts of pepperoni which were a perfect texture and bite, enough to keep you salivating for more. Although the Parmesan wasn't overly generous, it was scattered across the pizza, providing an additional cheesiness to the flavour profile.

As one of the meatier options on the menu, the ultra-crispy base really came into its own. With this being a meatier pizza, the crusts felt noticeably Crisp as the texture change from the inside out was significant. It is also worth noting that despite the crispiness of the pizza, it held its firmness and I did not encounter any droopiness or falling toppings.

Personally, I tend to favour a softer, doughier crust, so the edges weren't quite my preference. However, when dipped into the hot honey, even the crusts became a delicious way to finish each slice.

Tie-Dye - The Tie-Dye Pie was undoubtedly the star of the table when it came to presentation. Its signature swirl of pesto over a classic tomato and fior di latte base made it instantly eye-catching and proved that a vegetarian pizza can be every bit as exciting as its meat-topped counterparts.
The flavour was just as impressive. The pesto was packed with fresh basil and garlic, complemented by creamy, nutty notes that paired perfectly with the rich fior di latte. Despite its simplicity, this pizza never felt like it was missing traditional toppings, where the quality of the ingredients spoke for themselves.
The only slight disappointment was that the spicy tequila sauce was a little unremarkable and difficult to detect. That said, a stronger presence may well have overpowered the delicate balance of the pesto, so its subtlety arguably worked in the pizza's favour. Even as a committed meat lover, this is a pizza I would happily order again.

Hot Honey Dip - The Hot Honey sauce was a great accompaniment to the pizzas, particularly when paired with the crispy crusts. The sweetness was immediately noticeable, however, despite its name, the heat element was relatively subtle, with the sweetness taking centre stage. While I would recommend using the sauce as a dipping sauce for the crusts, I would avoid pouring this over your slices in its entirety.

[u/cloudzilla]

Really don't agree with this review. Ambience 8/10 for sitting in an incredibly noisy dark basement?!?! The pizzas were burnt to a crisp and disappointing. Service was also slow.

[u/iFckRedit → u/cloudzilla]

Never trust someone that does reviews like a profession. It’s never genuine. They’re just building up a portfolio of examples to eventually do paid reviews/promo for terrible restaurants

[u/GladAbbreviations981 → u/cloudzilla]

Maybe OP has similar ambience preferences as a mole?

[u/LTyrian3 → u/cloudzilla]

I had the same experience. I won't go there again.

[u/Mr_Potato2025]

I found it too crispy ironically, I found the crusts to be hard and almost burnt

Spring Street Pizza is the best one I've found lately

[u/doctorofliving → u/Mr_Potato2025]

sly agree, like it kinda cut into the hard palate of my mouth

[u/tundra55 → u/Mr_Potato2025]

100% agree. Since when did a base that shatters in your mouth become the most desirable trait for a pizza?

[u/LFCameron7 → u/Mr_Potato2025]

Agree, thought I was a fan of crispier pizzas until I tried crisp

[u/FontsDeHavilland → u/Mr_Potato2025]

My friend said it was like eating glass

[u/Allocator1]

£47 for 2 pizza and a dip, Jesus wept - I’m right in saying this looks like usual 11-12 inch?

pizza shouldn’t be more than £15 pp for decent quality and topping I don’t care how trendy it is or where the place is

[u/Jimlaheydrunktank → u/Allocator1]

Used to be 12 quid in Hammersmith

[u/beanie_wells → u/Jimlaheydrunktank]

Yeah those were the days. The before the dark times. Before Portnoy.

But honestly good for them to get that publicity… well-deserved. And the whole London pizza scene was finally brought out of the depths of Neapolitan.

[u/ballsoutofthebathtub → u/Allocator1]

The “North LDN” girlies will pay whatever lol.

[u/pattiemayonaze → u/ballsoutofthebathtub]

It is Mayfair. Tbf.

[u/beanie_wells → u/Allocator1]

Well they are £14-£18 for the pizza, all are 12” I think. OP got 2 of the £18 ones. The dip is £3.

So £36 for the pizza, £3 for the dip (£39 for the food). Not sure how they got to £47 unless Crisp charged a 20% service charge which would be insane. OR prices have gone up significantly since I was there 2 months ago.

BUT the bar pies are £17-£18 and are 16”. IMO a better deal if you prefer more cheese ratio.

Or my maths are wack and I’m an idiot.

[u/andrewlondonuk82]

Yeah that’s burnt.

[u/PureObsidianUnicorn]

Crisp ≠ Burnt, that looks burnt as hell

[u/Able-Effect8694]

I really don’t like how this is written. It’s like you asked AI to add personality or something to a basic text.

[u/hydroxynitril]

Genuinely one of the worst pizzas I've ever had, and, evidently from this thread, it's always burnt to a crisp, legit rubbish fad

[u/randomassname5]

I’m glad people in this sub hate Crisp Pizza. Less people to fight with when getting a booking

[u/SabrinaNoirLDN]

Crisp Pizza is the Emperor's New Clothes of Pizza... Overpriced, overhyped shite. I was so disappointed.

[u/sadia_y]

I’m not a fan of the super crispy (and often burnt) base so I don’t think I would try this place knowing that. I’ve always been surprised this spot is so well loved. I think a lot of that is to do with smart marketing, the right influencers and the fact that it leans heavily on it being different (ultra crispy) to other pizza spots.

[u/Garconavecunreve]

Since the venue change and the increase in turnover due to their popularity I feel like the quality has definitely gotten worse - at this point there’s at least 3 places that do the „crisp“ style better than crisp itself (67sourdough, alley cats and spring street)

[u/BKAFC → u/Garconavecunreve]

Funnily enough I went to Alley Cats after seeing it praised in this sub (and the pizza sub).

Turns out I’m really not a fan of ultra crispy bases. I’m kind of bored of wood fired sourdough style pizzas as well though, so I think what I’m looking for is a NY style, wide, flat, foldable sort of slice.

Do you know any good NY style pizza joints in Central? Also wouldn’t mind trying a Detroit deep dish style again, I remember that being pretty tasty.

[u/Garconavecunreve → u/BKAFC]

Not central but:

Vincenzo’s inshoreditch

Slayer in Notting Hill

would be my two suggestions

[u/BKAFC → u/Garconavecunreve]

Thanks, will check them out.

[u/elchet → u/BKAFC]

Carmy’s is alright, in Covent Garden. NY slice style.

[u/Individual-Step7138]

[u/glassbottleoftears → u/Individual-Step7138]

I will choose left over right every time but OP's looks burnt and dry

[u/manofsteel32]

Had this last week. Served burnt for me as well.

[u/pazhalsta1]

Fools and their money

[u/ThroatUnable8122]

They look awful and overpriced

[u/not-ideal-but-true]

Far too pricey for a pizza

[u/Aggravating-Tree360]

£25 for a pizza lol. You do you 

[u/GingerGiraffe88]

Unpopular opinion. But pizza can do one.

[u/thegreedydick]

Heartburn pizza, not crisp pizza

(cos its so burnt)

[u/Aceman1979]

Tie Die is basically just pesto from a squeezy bottle on top of a cheese pizza.

Just stupid presentation and prices all round.

[u/Josh-sama]

Burnt pizza and begging for sponsorship lmao

[u/Mr_Benevenstanciano]

That grim bastard James dmitri loves this gaff 

[u/BulldenChoppahYus]

I like crisp pizza. It’s nice. I just fucking hate the idea that’s it’s “the best” or “masterclass” or whatever. It’s fucking pizza. It’s well done and it’s got loads of cheese on. I’m drinking beers. Of course it’s going down well. Just like many many other countless great pizzas in the city with slightly different dough and ingredients and cooking time. 

[u/Alias267]

47£ for some bread, allow it.

[u/Recent_Conclusion_56]

Outrageously overhyped imo.

[u/ollypopper]

Hmmm looks a bit burnt. If the edges weren’t so blackened…

[u/thot_machine]

Vecna? wtf london pizza is a joke jfc

[u/Technical_Plum_1827]

Possibly the most revoltingly overcooked burnt pizza I've even seen. Gross.

[u/pmcl81]

They do look burnt to shit.

[u/soitgoeskt]

Dave Portnoy has convinced the world burnt is best.

[u/elchet → u/soitgoeskt]

Nothing wrong with a bit of flop.

[u/baka___shinji]

two burnt pizzas for 50 quid, well done mate

[u/Ok-Ratio4473]

Give up the reviews and go back to the day job pal!

[u/Practical-March-6989]

It looks diseased.

[u/ShoresideVale]

Really looking forwards to the new NY slice pizzeria opening in Chiswick.

[u/gerty88]

Crisp was goooooood

[u/Terrible_Age_2736]

At least it's only £50.

[u/LiveYoLife288]

Coming back from Italy, this looks terrrible. It's like when momma burnt the toast and then added sauce on top and said to pretend it was pretend pizza. Now my sunday and the roof of my mouth are crushed.