There’s a basement on Main Street in Annapolis that I keep thinking about, and it’s Fox’s Den. It’s easily one of the best pizza spots in Maryland IMO, but calling it a pizza place kind of undersells it, because the shared plates are just as much of a reason to go.
We rolled in on a Wednesday and it packed out early, which honestly tells you everything, lol. The move here is that gorgeous wood-fired dough plus a couple of shared plates, and the one dish I’m still dreaming about is the smoked carrots (yes, carrots, stay with me). It’s a gastropub in the truest sense: proper craft beer, a deep whiskey list, and a from-scratch kitchen that sources close to home. So if you’re wandering downtown Annapolis and want a cozy, slightly hidden dinner, this is the one, Nomsters.
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Why Fox’s Den Is Worth Visiting in Annapolis…
So what sets Fox’s Den apart? It’s tucked into a basement space beneath Main Street (the address is literally 179B), which gives it this cozy, almost speakeasy feel you just don’t get from a street-level spot. The Fox brothers opened it back in 2015, and the kitchen handcrafts everything from raw ingredients, sourcing locally where they can.
That from-scratch, close-to-home lean is the same thing I love about Preserve, the farm-to-table spot just up Main Street. But Fox’s Den’s main focus is the wood-fired pizza: the dough’s cooked in a brick oven fired with oak, and it comes out with those blistered, chewy edges that are so hard to nail. Add a barrel-aged cocktail program and a serious beer and whiskey list, and it’s a gastropub that actually earns the name.
What to Order at Fox’s Den
Here’s everything we got, plus a few things I’m already plotting to come back for.
Smoked Carrots ($12)
Hear me out on the carrots, because these might be the sleeper hit of the whole menu. It’s rainbow carrots in a chili maple glaze with chili crunch and a garlic lime cream cheese, so you get this sweet, spicy, tangy thing all at once that makes you keep reaching for one more bite. Some of the most delicious carrots I’ve ever had, and the portion’s HUGE for twelve bucks! If you only order one shared plate, make it this one.
Pepperoni and Pepperoncini ($19)
This is the pizza I’d get again in a heartbeat, 200%. It’s pepperoni, pepperoncini, marinara, mozzarella, parmesan and a little mint, and it was wildly delicious and SO cheesy, with dough cooked so beautifully I wanted to frame a slice. The pepperoncini bring a briny kick that plays so well with all that cheese. A 10/10 pie! If you want a NY-style slice closer to Crofton, Di Meo’s is my other go-to over that way.
Stuffed Shells ($15)
These were tasty, just not my favorite of the night. They come with pork ragu and get finished with braising jus, parmesan cream sauce, herb bread crumbs and fennel, so there’s a lot going on in a good way. I liked the carrots more, lol, but I’d happily work through their other dishes next time.
A few more that are worth knowing about, even though I didn’t get to them this round:
- The Fig and Pig pizza (fig preserves, country ham, brie, mint, hot honey) is a customer favorite and next on my list.
- Their duck fat fries are a locals’ go-to snack.
- They do a birria pizza I keep hearing about, so if you’ve had it, please report back.
Craft Beer, Whiskey, and More…
Fox’s Den isn’t only about the food. They’re known for their craft beer, and the whiskey selection is no joke, with a deep bench of rye and bourbon plus a barrel-aged cocktail program if you want something with a little more theater. Pair that with the low-lit basement setting and it’s a genuinely fun place to post up for a couple hours. We went on a random Wednesday and it still filled up fast, so this is not some sleepy midweek secret.
The Vibe and Experience
The vibe’s cozy and grown-up without being stuffy, the kind of place that works for a date night or a low-key dinner with friends. The music stays low enough to actually hold a conversation, and the open kitchen lets you watch that pizza oven do its thing.
Since it books up (especially on weekends), I’d grab a reservation so you’re not stuck waiting. And if you’re making a whole day of downtown Annapolis, The Big Cheese near City Dock is my pick for a quick gourmet sandwich before or after.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 179B Main St, Annapolis, MD 21401 (look for the basement entrance)
- Cuisine: wood-fired pizza and New American shared plates, plus craft beer and whiskey
- Hours: Monday and Wednesday to Thursday 5 to 9:45pm, Friday 5 to 10:45pm, Saturday 4 to 10:45pm, Sunday 4 to 9pm, closed Tuesday
- Reservations: recommended, especially on weekends, since they book up fast
- Parking: no dedicated lot, but Gotts Court Garage is about a 5-minute walk
- Dietary: a gluten free cauliflower crust and veggie pizza options are available
- Deal: keep an eye out for their Monday pizza specials
Is Fox’s Den Really Worth The Hype?
Yassssssss. Fox’s Den is one of my favorite pizza spots in Maryland, and the shared plates (those smoked carrots!) make it so much more than a one-trick pony. The quality, the from-scratch cooking, and that cozy basement vibe put it near the top of my downtown Annapolis list. If you love a great local pizza spot, this one’s a must.
Have you guys been to Fox’s Den yet? Let me know your go-to order in the comments, Nomsters, and if you’ve tried that birria pizza, I’m counting on you to fill me in. Save this one for your next trip downtown.