To fully immerse yourself in a community, the best place to go is the local restaurants. Eat where the locals eat, meet the owners that live in the community and taste the cuisine of what locals enjoy. In Clay County, our locally owned and operated restaurants are ready to welcome you with open doors. 

From fresh, local seafood to award-winning barbecue and plenty of international flavors, there’s no shortage of great, local restaurants in Clay County. This September is Restaurant Month, so get out and visit an old favorite or try something new – you never know, it could become your new favorite!

Here’s a look at the dining scene in Clay County! 

Get ready for plenty of barbecue when you visit Clay County! G’s Slow Smoked BBQ in Orange Park, features great side dishes and award-winning barbecue. In Keystone Heights, Johnny’s Bar-B-Q & Catering is locally-owned and operated family business with a variety of combo plates and a large menu of items right off of the smoker.  

For fresh seafood, don’t miss the popular Whitey’s Fish Camp, a local favorite since 1963. Set along Swimming Pen Creek, you can even arrive by boat! The OP Fish House & Oyster Bar on Kingsley Avenue offers a variety of seafood specials, including oyster night and a popular Sunday brunch. Other popular seafood spots include Corky Bell’s in Fleming Island and the fast-casual Shrimp Shack Seafood Kitchen in Orange Park. 

For a bit of a diner feel, treat yourself to Grumpy’s Restaurant in Orange Park – home to creative waffles and Southern diner breakfast dishes, perfect for starting the day. At The Metro Diner, enjoy your breakfast in the morning or have it for dinner along with a large lineup of sandwiches and be sure to check out the daily chalkboard specials.

At Sweet Sensations in Green Cove Springs, enjoy fresh, made to order soups, sandwiches and salads and don’t skip out on their homemade desserts. 

At the Just a Pinch Café in Fleming Island, choose from authentic Hawaiian dishes and Southern cuisine – open for breakfast and lunch. And yes, they also serve Spam! In Middleburg, the family-owned and operated Capio’s Café is open for breakfast and lunch serving Southern favorites and unique omelets like the corned beef hash omelet. 

And don’t forget the coffee! Stop in for a treat and a fresh cup of your favorite creation at Spring Park Coffee in Green Cove Springs. Enjoy breakfast and lunch with your coffee at Urban Bean Coffeehouse Café in Orange Park. At The Lab Bakery & Coffee Bar, this family-owned hot spot features a rotating menu of desserts and drinks to pair with your cup of coffee. New to Keystone Heights, The Tea Room is open by appointment only for guests to take advantage of an afternoon of tea with friends and family. Offerings include an extensive list of teas and a variety of finger sandwiches, sweet treats and desserts. Also in Keystone Heights, experience freshly roasted whole beans and ground specialty coffees with the knowledgeable team at FirePower Coffee Roasters. 

In the mood for international cuisine? For a taste of the Caribbean, visit the locally-owned Irie Diner in Orange Park and enjoy the national dish of Jamaica – Ackee and Salt fish along with other traditional Caribbean dishes including Guyana curry goat, Grenada brown stew chicken and Jamaican-style oxtails.

At Palermo Puerto Rican Kitchen, try their signature dish “El Bohio” featuring slow roasted pork served with pigeon pea rice and homemade pork pastel. Take a trip down to New Orleans with the Cajun cuisine of Mackey’s Munchies in Orange Park. Popular dishes include shrimp po-boys, jambalaya with chicken and turkey sausage, gumbo, etouffee and don’t forget to order beignets for dessert. At Akaya Sushi Grill in Oakleaf experience Japanese sushi and hibachi. 

For a special night out, The Hilltop Club & Restaurant offers diners a romantic setting with an old-world atmosphere. Members and hotel guests staying at the Club Continental can enjoy private dining with waterfront views of the St. Johns River.

There’s also no shortage of ice cream in Clay County. Don’t miss visiting the Dreamette Ice Cream in Middleburg, an old-fashioned soft-serve ice cream shop where its cash only – just like the old days. At Maggie D’s Ice Cream Shop, choose from a variety of changing flavors and housemade ice cream sandwiches. Whit’s Frozen Custard of Orange Park is home to a ‘flavor of the day’ and a large assortment of toppings along with to-go pints. 

When it comes to late-night eats and spirits, stop by V Pizza and the Tap Garden for creative pizzas, wood-fired roasted chicken wings and a large variety of craft beers. In Orange Park, Cultured Collective Brewing Company, known for their variety of sours on tap, is also home to local food trucks.

You can sample a pint or two of local craft beer at Brewer’s Pizza, home to the award-winning Pinglehead Brewing Company. At the Leaderboard Arcade & Pizzeria, join the fun for weekly trivia nights and arcade tournaments while you enjoy pizza, wings and a variety of craft beers. 

There’s plenty more places to discover during your time in the area. So, we hope you are hungry, get out and enjoy great eats found only here in Clay County!