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April 6, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET
- Vincenzo’s Italian Restaurant in Louisville is a popular dining spot for celebrities during Kentucky Derby weekend.
- The restaurant is celebrating its 40th anniversary this Kentucky Derby season.
- Notable guests have included Tom Brady, Usher, Jack Nicholson, and Steven Spielberg.
- To celebrate its anniversary, Vincenzo’s will host its first-ever Oaks Day Brunch.
Vincenzo’s, located in the heart of downtown Louisville, has always been more than a restaurant, especially during Kentucky Derby weekend, where it turns into a venue where Hollywood icons, sports legends, and cultural powerhouses gather to savor Chef Agostino Gabriele’s unforgettable Italian cuisine.
Over the past 40 years, the dining room has welcomed an astonishing lineup of Derby‑weekend guests, from Tom Brady and his team fueling up before the festivities, to Usher slipping in with his signature cool. Even Jack Nicholson, bringing his unmistakable charisma, and Bo Derek, turning heads with timeless elegance, have dined there.
Other notable guests who have taken a seat at Vincenzo’s tables Derby weekend include Pamela Anderson, Mikhail Baryshnikov, D. Wayne Lukas, Robert Goulet, Guy Fieri, Dennis Hopper, Smokey Robinson, Bob Baffert, Gregory Hines, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Toby Keith, Steven Spielberg, Stacy Keibler, Kid Rock, Ice‑T and others.
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It’s a guest list that reads like a walk of fame, yet what makes Vincenzo’s, 150 S. Fifth St., truly special is the philosophy behind-the-scenes.
Chef and co-owner Gabriele told the Courier Journal, “I’m so lucky to be able to cook for celebrities, because in our eyes, every guest is a celebrity.”
This Kentucky Derby season marks a milestone for the iconic Louisville restaurant — Vincenzo’s 40th anniversary. To celebrate, the restaurant is hosting its first‑ever Oaks Day Brunch, on Friday, May 1, which will feature an elegant and authentic Italian brunch buffet. The first-of-its-kind event is a chance to dine where legends have gathered, to toast to 40 years of culinary excellence, and to celebrate a Louisville institution that continues to shine as brightly as the stars who walk through its doors.
“We enjoy the opportunity to welcome our renowned guests at Derby time,” Vincenzo Gabriele, co-owner an operator Vincenzo’s, said. “We are grateful for our regulars who are our stars throughout the year and have supported our dream of serving our community.”
Here is a list of celebrities who have dined at Vincenzo’s Derby weekend and what else to know about its Kentucky Oaks Day brunch:
Kentucky Derby celebrities who have dined at Vincenzo’s in Louisville
- Tom Brady with his team
- Usher
- Jack Nicholson
- Bo Derek
- Pamela Anderson
- Mikhail Baryshnikov
- D. Wayne Lukas
- Robert Goulet
- Guy Fieri
- Dennis Hopper
- Smokey Robinson
- Bob Baffert
- Gregory Hines
- Jennifer Love Hewitt
- Toby Keith
- Steven Spielberg
- Stacy Keibler
- Ice T
- Jack Hues (Wang Chung)
- Kid Rock
- John Schneider
- Kelly LeBrock
- Joe Gibbs
- John Y. Brown
- Phyllis George
- Randy Moss
- Eddie George
- Vince McMahon
- Junior Bridgeman
- Rebecca Romijn
- Jerry O’Connell
- Mary Ann Mobley
- Gary Collins
- Fuzzy Zoeller
- ESPN Sports staff
- ABC Sports anchors including Al Michaels and colleagues
Vincenzo’s Kentucky Oaks Day brunch
Vincenzo’s Kentucky Oaks Brunch takes place on Friday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $175 per guest, which includes one handcrafted cocktail. Reservations are required. Call 502-242‑9319.
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
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, The Courier-Journal
Almontather Rassoul
