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Café 43, Dallas, TX

Café 43

4.9
4.9
1554 Reviews
$30 and under
American
2943 SMU Blvd., Dallas, TX 75205

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Charming
  • Good for business meals
Café 43, located at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, is a contemporary American restaurant which features a locally sourced, organic, seasonal and sustainable menu for weekday lunch and weekend brunch. It is one of the most preferred venues in the city for private events in the evening for groups of up to 150 because of its stunning design, flexibility, private entrance and breezy terrace. Admission to the Center is not required as Café 43 has its own entrance.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Mon–Sat 11:00 am–2:30 pm Brunch Sat 11:00 am–2:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    John Maas
  • Catering
    Upscale American cuisine focused on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
  • Private party facilities
    Cafe 43 is available evenings for seated dinners of up to 120 guests and cocktail receptions for up to 150 guests. There are other private event spaces located throughout the Center.
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Cross street
    Bush Avenue
  • Parking details
    There are several nearby parking garages on the SMU campus.
  • Public transit
    From the Dart Mockingbord Station take the Mustang Express bus route 768.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,554 people are saying

Café 43 reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Dallas - Fort Worth

    American

  • Dallas

    Best Food

  • Dallas

    American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Café 43 in the George W. Bush Museum offers "a wonderful full service" with "delicious food & exceptional service." Guests praise its "beautiful atmosphere," "spacious and scenic" setting, and "exemplary service." The menu is varied and well-priced, with standout dishes like the "lump crab salad" and "corned beef sandwich."

1,554 Reviews
  1. Erin VIP

    Denver74 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This restaurant, named for our 43rd American President, is the best kept secret in Dallas. Granted they are only open from 11 AM-2:30 PM Monday through Saturday, so they are really missing out on an opportunity for Sunday brunch. It is located in the same building as the George Bush library to the right of the fountain before the museum entrance and is a lunch spot with a brunch item or two on the menu. It is a truly lovely space with large original paintings on the walls and small sculptures, floor to ceiling windows looking out onto a lovely patio with oversized shutters above to shield patrons from some of the sunlight. The food is excellent and thoughtful. We had a large party, so we ordered a variety of things which all received rave reviews from the fried avocado appetizer, crab salad with freshly snipped chives, chicken fried steak, amazing pecan crusted chicken, omelette, grilled chicken sandwich, grilled cheese for the kids, and outstanding homemade ice creams for dessert. Even the vanilla earned high praise! The service is friendly, attentive, and efficient, and prices are shockingly reasonable for the quality of the experience and the food. Portions are Texas style: generous. It’s a wonderful spot to bring out of town guests— even highly particular ones!

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  2. peggy VIP

    Dallas10 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 16, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The only thing stopping a 5 star rating is that the parking lot is $10.83 as part of Bush Library center and Cafe 43 does not validate any parking. 😟

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  3. Kathleen

    Dallas3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We sat outside and enjoyed moderate temperators and a light breeze. The service was very good. The menue is wonderful and we all enjoyed our meals. I look forward to dining here again next time I am in town.

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  4. Jerrell

    Dallas1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding lunch experience! Great service, food, and environment.

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  5. Ray VIP

    Dallas50 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was busy at lunch today, but the staff was attentive, helpful and welcoming. The menu had something enticing for each of the 6 ladies in my group. My lump crab salad was great, the corned beef sandwich (really a reuben) made a great lunch with half to go for dinner, the corn soup made a nice light lunch, and Mrs. Bush's favorite sandwich was also a hit. For 5 of the group it was first visit, but it won't be the last. Thanks for such a charming spot right in the heart of Dallas/Park Cities/ SMU.

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  6. Lee

    Dallas120 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Brian and his team always deliver a special experience. Veronica is a great Hostess.

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  7. Mary

    Salt Lake City4 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 27, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was tasty. Service very slow and shouldn't have been as very few dining at this time. It is a great place to relax during tour of Bush library.

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  8. Melanie VIP

    Chicago3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nice selection of food and everything was delicious. Beautiful atmosphere!

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  9. Pam

    Atlanta1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delightful restaurant in the George W Bush Museum. Prices are as expected for this type of restaurant and for the quality of food. The service was quick and the wait staff was friendly and attentive. It was a nice experience and a wonderful place to eat while visiting the museum.

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  10. Lee

    Dallas120 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We can’t wait to back. It is always excellent experience.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Café 43 is rated 4.9 stars by 1554 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Dallas - Fort Worth
  4. Dallas
  5. Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 times today
Google Map for Café 43

2943 SMU Blvd., Dallas, TX 75205

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Bush Avenue
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Mon–Sat 11:00 am–2:30 pm Brunch Sat 11:00 am–2:30 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    There are several nearby parking garages on the SMU campus.
  • Public transit
    From the Dart Mockingbord Station take the Mustang Express bus route 768.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    John Maas
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    Upscale American cuisine focused on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
  • Private party facilities
    Cafe 43 is available evenings for seated dinners of up to 120 guests and cocktail receptions for up to 150 guests. There are other private event spaces located throughout the Center.
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