Ariston Cafe

The Ariston Cafe is a near-century-old piece of history that technically predates Route 66 as it was built on the road's predecessor, Route 4. We were established in 1924 and moved to Route 66 in 1935, less than 10 years after the highway opened. We're proud to call Litchfield, Illinois, our home, and to share in the rich history of one of the most famous stretches of asphalt in the country.

Our Story

The Ariston Cafe was founded by Pete Adam, a Greek immigrant, in Carlinville, Illinois in 1924. The original cafe was located on Route 4, the predecessor of historic Route 66. In 1929, the Cafe was relocated to Litchfield, Illinois, and moved into its present location on Route 66 in 1935. We believe the Ariston Cafe to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest Route 66 restaurant. In 1992, The Ariston Cafe and the Adam family were inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame. In May 2006, the cafe was placed in the National Register of Historical Places by the State of Illinois and the National Park Service, United States Department of Interior. Since 1966, Pete's son Nick and his wife, Demi, have continued to offer the traditional service expected of a family-owned-and-operated American restaurant. In July 2018, the Cafe was purchased by the current owners Will and Michele Law and Marty and Kara Steffens, all from Litchfield. We look forward to continuing the cafe's long tradition.

Our Services

At the Ariston Cafe, we offer a wide range of services to ensure that our customers have an exceptional dining experience. Our menu features a variety of American, Southern, Italian, and Greek fare, along with a fully-stocked bar in a clean, comfortable environment. We are committed to providing top-notch food and service to our customers. Whether you're stopping by for a quick bite or staying for a leisurely meal, we guarantee that you'll leave feeling satisfied and ready to hit the road again. We also offer to-go orders and credit card payments for your convenience. All to-go orders are subject to a $2.00 carryout charge, and credit card orders are charged a 3.5% surcharge.

Our History

The Ariston Cafe is steeped in history, and we're proud to share it with our customers. From our humble beginnings on Route 4 to our current location on Route 66, we've seen it all. Our historic cafe has been inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame and has been placed in the National Register of Historical Places. We're honored to be a part of the rich history of Route 66 and look forward to continuing to serve our customers for many years to come.