The market closes at noon. Here's exactly where to eat after — by cuisine, vibe, and distance from 110 W. Fremont St.
Every Saturday from May through October, the corner of Vail and Fremont in downtown Arlington Heights transforms into one of Illinois's finest farmers markets. The Arlington Heights Farmers Market — voted Best in Illinois by the American Farmland Trust — draws 800 to 2,000 visitors a week, nearly 40 vendors deep, running 8 AM to noon rain or shine.
By 11:30, you've loaded up on fresh produce, picked up a loaf of bread, and chatted with the people who grew your dinner. Now you're hungry. This guide covers the best restaurants within reach of the market — where to go, what to order, and why Toscana is our top pick for a proper sit-down meal after a Saturday morning well spent.
One important note: Toscana opens at 11:30 AM — which means it catches the market crowd at exactly the right moment. If you're wrapping up at the market around 11–11:30, you can walk or drive over and be seated just as the kitchen hits its stride.
If you haven't been, here's what makes this one stand out from the dozens of suburban markets in Chicagoland. It's operated by the Arlington Heights Historical Society, set on the grounds of the Historical Museum — which gives it a character most parking-lot markets never find. The museum grounds, the live music, and the depth of the vendor lineup make Saturday mornings here feel genuinely worth planning around.
The market is free to attend. No tickets, no wristbands — just show up. Street parking on Fremont and Vail fills by 9 AM on busy Saturdays, so earlier is better. More on parking below.
The market runs 8 AM to noon — but in practice, the best vendor selection is in the first two hours. Serious shoppers arrive at 8; casual visitors drift in around 9:30–10. By 11:15 AM, popular booths are selling out of their best items. Our recommendation for a smooth Saturday:
Best selection of produce, meats, and baked goods. Arrive early for peak vendors.
Popular booths begin selling out. Perfect time to head to lunch before the rush.
Doors open, kitchen is fresh, first seating of the day. Call ahead for Saturday reservations.
Walk-in availability varies on Saturdays. If you're heading to a specific restaurant, especially for a larger group, a reservation call on Friday evening goes a long way.
After a morning spent at a market that celebrates seasonal, local, and handmade food — the natural next stop is a kitchen that operates by the same values. That's Toscana. Chef Frank has been cooking from scratch at 1859 Central Rd since 2008, and the menu reads like a love letter to the kind of ingredients you just spent the morning selecting.
The menu changes with the season, and Chef Frank's approach has always been to let the ingredients lead. Daily handmade pasta — fettuccine carbonara, rigatoni boscaiola, baked penne with ricotta and mozzarella — alongside fresh-caught seafood and slow-braised proteins. Every sauce is made in-house; nothing arrives from a can or a bag.
For a post-market Saturday lunch, the format works beautifully: start with a shared antipasto (prosciutto, salami, provolone, olives) while you settle in, then move through a pasta course and a main. The dining room is unhurried, the service attentive, and the atmosphere shifts from market energy to something quieter and more restorative. It's a natural second act to a morning well spent.
From our daily handmade pasta to every slow-simmered sauce, every dish reflects nearly two decades of dedication to authentic Italian cuisine. The market reminds me every Saturday why this work matters — when you can smell what's in season, you know exactly what to cook.— Chef Frank, Executive Chef & Co-Founder, Toscana Restaurant & Lounge
We open at 11:30 AM every Saturday. Reserve ahead — post-market Saturday lunch fills up fast.
Reserve OnlineCall (847) 222-1989Downtown Arlington Heights has a solid dining corridor within a short walk or drive of 110 W. Fremont. Here's how the options break down by vibe and format:
A few blocks from the market, Peggy Kinnane's patio is one of the best weekend spots in downtown Arlington Heights. Good for families and groups who want something relaxed and unpretentious after a morning of shopping.
A downtown staple with a lively Saturday atmosphere. Good pint selection and pub-style food. Walk-ins are generally fine, though Saturday afternoons can get busy by noon.
A contemporary American spot with a seasonal menu sensibility that pairs well with the farmers-market mood. Lighter, more produce-forward dishes than a traditional steakhouse. Good for couples or smaller groups.
A short drive out of downtown, Wildfire is the area's premier steakhouse option. If you're celebrating something or want a more formal Saturday lunch, it's worth the short drive. Reserve in advance — Saturday lunch fills.
The farmers market is at 110 W. Fremont St., on the grounds of the Arlington Heights Historical Museum. Downtown parking is generally plentiful on Saturday mornings — with one caveat: the blocks immediately surrounding the market fill fast once the 8 AM crowd arrives.
Most vendors accept cards, but cash moves faster at busy booths. A reusable bag — especially a structured one — makes it easier to carry produce without crushing your baked goods. Most regulars bring two: one for delicate items, one for everything else.
With nearly 40 vendors, the temptation to buy at the first booth you see is real — but a full walkthrough gives you a better sense of what's freshest, what's priced well, and what you're going to wish you'd grabbed. The best regulars walk the whole market first.
The people behind the tables grew what they're selling. Asking "what's particularly good right now?" almost always gets you a genuine answer — and often a tip about something that doesn't have a sign. This is how regulars find the best tomatoes three weeks before anyone else does.
The best Saturday mornings in Arlington Heights have a shape to them: market from 8 to 11, then a proper sit-down lunch somewhere nearby. When you pair the market's seasonal energy with a kitchen that cooks the same way, the two halves of the morning feel like they were meant to go together. That's the rhythm worth building.
Every Saturday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, from May 9 through October 17, 2026. The market is located at 110 W. Fremont St. on the grounds of the Arlington Heights Historical Museum.
Yes — free admission, no tickets required. Bring cash for faster vendor transactions, though most vendors also accept cards.
Our top pick is Toscana Restaurant & Lounge at 1859 Central Rd — authentic Italian, handmade pasta, open at 11:30 AM Saturdays, free parking. About a 6-minute drive from the market. Reserve online here.
Toscana serves lunch starting at 11:30 AM on Saturdays — not a traditional brunch menu, but a full Italian lunch with homemade pasta, fresh seafood, and starters. It's the ideal second stop after a farmers-market morning. Call (847) 222-1989 or reserve online.
About a 6-minute drive — 1859 Central Rd vs. 110 W. Fremont St. Easy to make the transition without backtracking or fighting downtown parking a second time if you rideshare.
Fresh from the market. Handmade pasta. A dining room that's never in a rush. Reserve your table at Toscana for after the market.
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Chef Frank has helmed Toscana's kitchen since 2008. His approach has always been seasonal and ingredient-first — a philosophy shaped by nearly two decades of cooking for the Arlington Heights community. → About Toscana
🥕 Heading to the farmers market Saturday? Reserve your post-market table at Toscana — we open at 11:30 AM.
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