Crisp Pizza in Mayfair does halal pizza right

Crisp Pizza in Mayfair comes up a lot when people talk about great pizza in London. And then I heard they do a halal beef pepperoni pizza, and I made a beeline for it.

Now hear me out. As a non pork eater, being able to eat a version of pepperoni pizza is a gamechanger. And the one at Crisp Pizza in Mayfair is excellent.

We walk in right as doors open on a weekday, fully prepared for a wait after hearing stories of long queues. Instead, we get straight in, probably because we arrive right at opening time. Within minutes, the room fills up, which tells you everything you need to know about how popular Crisp W1 has become.

I settle into the basement dining room, and put my order in straight away.

Quick info on Crisp W1

• Restaurant: Crisp Pizza
• Where: Mayfair, London
• Good to know: Walk-ins are possible if you arrive early
• Order this: The Vecna with halal beef pepperoni and hot honey
• Style: New Haven inspired thin crust, crispy
• Vibe: Casual, buzzy basement energy with serious pizza coming out of the kitchen

Read our Crisp Pizza restaurant review to find out more.

Let’s start with the pizza (because obviously)

We order the Vecna pizza at Crisp, swapping the default pork pepperoni for halal beef pepperoni, and honestly, I love that this is even an option. Big tick.

The pizza arrives quickly, blistered and beautiful.

The base is exactly what Crisp Pizza promises. It’s thin, puffy in places, with that smoky char you get from high-heat cooking. It’s crisp rather than soft, with enough structure to hold its toppings properly. One pizza feels like a generous solo portion without tipping into uncomfortable fullness territory.

The halal beef pepperoni is gorgeous. It’s juicy, salty and crisp at the edges. It brings real savoury depth, which is then lifted by the hot honey drizzled across the top. That sweet savouriness adds complexity and keeps pulling you back for another bite.

There’s heat too, but it arrives later, balanced by the honey.

Honestly? No notes.

Crisp Pizza review verdict so far: I’m impressed.

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A quick word on the Crisp Pizza base

Crisp Pizza W1 takes inspiration from New Haven style pizza (or apizza), a tradition that traces back to Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, with icons like Sally’s Apizza and Modern Apizza helping define the style.

The hallmarks are a thin crust with a crunchy bite.

Crisp W1 cooks their pizzas at a high heat, giving that smoky, blistered char. The crust here is very crispy though, if we’re being precise, I’ve had even crispier bases elsewhere. That said, this works beautifully in its own way. It’s sturdy, flavourful, and built to carry bold toppings.

Which it does, very well.

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More on the Crisp Pizza menu

One thing I really like about Crisp Pizza in Mayfair is that the menu doesn’t try to do everything. It knows what it’s here for.

The core of the Crisp Pizza menu is a tight lineup of New Haven–style pies built on that signature thin, charred base. You’ve got classics like the Cheese Pie with San Marzano tomato, mozzarella, fior di latte, parm and olive oil, and the Pepperoni Pie (yes, halal beef pepperoni is clearly marked and available).

Then it gets more playful.

There’s the Funghi Pie with seasoned mushrooms. The Tie-Dye Pie, which brings spicy sauce and a pesto swirl into the mix.

If you’re sharing, there’s a Grandmas section designed for two to three people, offering larger versions of their most popular pies like Vecna, Crisp, and Tie-Dye.

You’ll also find Bar Pies (smaller, simpler New Haven–style pizzas), calzones including a four-cheese option, and a short sides list with garlic and herb dip, hot honey dip, chilli dip, and marinara for dunking.

Dessert stays fun with nutella calzone (with optional fior di latte soft serve), tiramisu, and affogato.

It’s a concise menu that makes ordering easy, which I always appreciate at lunch.

Who owns Crisp Pizza in London?

Carl McCluskey was running The Chancellors in Hammersmith, where Crisp Pizza first took shape.

For this Mayfair chapter, Carl is now backed by the heavyweight team behind The Devonshire, including Charlie Carroll, Ashley Palmer-Watts, and Oisín Rogers.

If those names sound familiar, they should. This is the same trio responsible for one of my favourite Sunday roasts in London, and honestly, they’re starting to look like a factory for cult-status restaurants. Wherever they put their weight, people follow, and Crisp Pizza Mayfair is clearly no exception.

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The space and the vibe

Crisp Pizza lives in the basement of the Marlborough pub.

It’s a casual but energetic space where tables fill quickly. There’s a mix of reservations and walk-ins, and the atmosphere feels lively without being chaotic. You can come for a quick lunch or linger a little longer, both make sense here.

Some people warn you about long waits. We walk straight in at opening and watch the room fill up rapidly. Timing, as ever, is everything.

Final thoughts on Crisp Pizza in Mayfair

If you’re looking for a crisp pizza in Mayfair that delivers on flavour and texture, this is a very strong contender.

The Vecna with halal beef pepperoni is excellent. The hot honey brings balance, while the crust has character. And the fact that halal pepperoni is offered without fuss earns major points.

Is this the crispiest pizza in London? Not quite.
Is it one of the most enjoyable pizza lunches I’ve had recently? Absolutely.

In review, I’d go back to Crisp Pizza in a heartbeat. And next time, I’m ordering two.

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Crisp Pizza Mayfair restaurant review
Address – 24 N. Audley Street, London W1
Nearest Tube – Bonc Street