Updated Sept. 29, 2026
Hungry for something new? You’re in luck. Clay County’s restaurant scene is heating up this fall, with a 4.9 star Indian spot on Blanding, a beloved bakery back in business with a brand new home, all-you-can-eat sushi and hibachi on Wells Road, and a Korean-inspired rice bowl favorite on the way.
Here’s your guide to four spots worth putting on your list, plus the details you actually need: where they are, what to order and what it’ll cost you.
🍽️ The Quick List
- Clay India, Orange Park: Now open
- The Bakery II, Keystone Heights: Now open at new location
- Akino Japanese Cuisine, Orange Park: Now open
- Flame Broiler, Orange Park: Coming this year
✅ Now Open
Clay India 🍛
📍 1330 Blanding Blvd., Suite 170, Orange Park
Craving curry without the drive into Jacksonville? Clay India opened this summer in the small shopping center at Blanding Boulevard and Oak Lane, right next to Big Daddy’s Sub Shop. And Clay County has clearly noticed: the restaurant already holds a 4.9 star rating from more than 800 Google reviews.
When you walk in, you get a choice: the buffet or order from the menu. Either way, plan on about $20 to $30 per person.
More than a meal
“At Clay India, we hope every visit feels like you are joining us for a family meal. Come join us and create memories while sharing authentic recipes, fresh ingredients and aromatic spices! At Clay India, every meal is an invitation to experience one of the world’s oldest and most vibrant culinary traditions!”
The Clay India owners
What diners are raving about: One diner in the ClayEats Facebook group stopped by at 11 a.m. on a Saturday and was first through the door. His verdict? The Chili Garlic Shrimp appetizer was “absolutely incredible,” sweet and spicy with a perfect balance of flavors. The naan sampler was “the best naan I’ve had in my life.” He also loved the lamb tikka masala, and his wife’s Schezuan noodles with shrimp were a hit too. His overall score: “an absolute 10/10.”
The Bakery II 🥐
📍 7415 State Road 21, Keystone Heights
If you only read one story in this roundup, make it this one. It’s a true hometown comeback.
Teri and Chris Gibbs first ran The Bakery on Commercial Circle in Keystone Heights. They closed so Teri could care for her brother, Francis Glenn Mielkey II, who had stage 4 colon cancer. After he passed, they reopened and named the business The Bakery II in his honor. Now the bakery has moved to State Road 21 and added a dine-in space, so you can finally sit down with your coffee and cinnamon roll.
What’s on the menu:
- Made-from-scratch breakfast
- Custom cakes, pies and fresh breads
- Big, gooey cinnamon rolls
- Soups, salads and specialty sandwiches like the Camel Rider
The secret ingredient? The pie crust is Teri’s grandmother’s recipe.
The Bakery II has won Best of Clay for Best Bakery, holds a 4.8 star Google rating, and reviewers keep saying the same thing: “The nicest people and the best food!” The new location celebrated with a grand reopening, a Clay County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and a flag dedication honoring Mielkey II, a U.S. veteran.
Akino Japanese Cuisine 🍣
📍 1754 Wells Road, Orange Park
Sushi lovers, your new favorite spot is officially open. Akino is a locally owned Japanese restaurant built around all-you-can-eat dining, but don’t picture a buffet line. You order from the menu, and every dish is made fresh for your table.
Lunch AYCE
$19.95
Dinner AYCE
$28.95
What you can order (as much as you want):
- Sushi and rolls: classics like California, Spicy Tuna and Philadelphia rolls, plus hand rolls
- Sushi appetizers: Pepper Tuna, Tuna Tataki and Tuna Pizza, with Yellowtail Jalapeño and Mango Salmon added at dinner
- Hibachi: shrimp, chicken, beef or vegetable, plus salmon at dinner
- Kitchen favorites: gyoza, takoyaki, tempura, katsu, Tonkatsu Ramen and fried rice, noodles or udon
- Dessert: ice cream and Fried Oreo, with Fried Cheesecake at dinner
🔥 Coming This Year
Flame Broiler 🍚
📍 1963 Park Ave., Suite 200, Orange Park
Rice bowl fans, get ready. Flame Broiler is moving into the building with the Starbucks at the northeast corner of Park Avenue and Kingsley Avenue, and the company says the wait is almost over.
“Your wait is almost over, Clay County. Flame Broiler is coming to your city this year, locally owned and operated right here in your community.”
Flame Broiler, Sept. 9 update on Google
The chain dates back to 1995, when founder Young Lee opened the first store to serve his community the kind of food he’d want to feed his own family. The company describes itself as a healthy, quick-serve restaurant with a Korean-inspired menu built around charbroiled cooking and its signature Simply Magic Sauce.
What to expect:
- Rice bowls, mini bowls and plates packed with protein
- Korean-inspired flavors and charbroiled goodness
- Simply Magic Sauce worth talking about
No opening date has been announced yet, but we’ll let you know the minute it’s official. Check out the menu in the meantime at flamebroilerusa.com.
Your turn, Clay County! 🗣️
Which one are you trying first? Tell us in the comments.
Know about a new opening? Send us a tip.
