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Café 43, Dallas, TX

Café 43

4.9
4.9
1530 Reviews
$30 and under
American

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2 people
20:30
Booked 8 times today
  • Charming
  • Good for business meals
  • Healthy
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 11:00–14:30 Brunch Sat 11:00–14:30
  • Phone number
    (214) 200-4302
  • 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.
  • Area
    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 1,530 people are saying

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
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.8Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Dallas

    Best Overall

  • Dallas

    Best Value

  • Dallas

    American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Café 43 offers "delicious food," "excellent service," and a "beautiful setting" on SMU's campus. Guests appreciate its relaxed atmosphere, ideal for business lunches or casual meals. Highlights include the warm feta and fried avocado dishes, and standout staff like Manny and Brian. Parking fees are an occasional concern.

1,530 Reviews
  1. Stephen

    Dallas

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was good and attractively presented. Waiter was not hostile, but seemed less than friendly.

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  2. Katy

    Dallas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always excellent service and food here. Today was a special plus as Mrs Bush was dining there too. It is a casually elegant place with beautiful views.

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  3. Chris

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    If you live in the area and have not tried this place you are missing out as anyone passing through the area or visiting SMU or the Bush Center or Dallas it’s a destination, hidden gem.

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  4. Lee

    Dallas

    108 reviews

    5.0

    108 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Another great visit. Brian runs a great restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  5. HelmuthL

    Dallas

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 19 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a great place for a nice and good quality lunch.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Lee

    Dallas

    108 reviews

    5.0

    108 reviews

    Dined on 14 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A great experience. Manny is a super server. We go every week.

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  7. Lee

    Dallas

    108 reviews

    5.0

    108 reviews

    Dined on 5 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Really great place every time we go. Hits every point a restaurant should hit. I suggest they consider opening a couple of evenings......................

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  8. David

    Seattle

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on 2 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent as always! The new Philly Cheesesteak sandwich is absolutely wonderful!

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  9. Nancy

    Minneapolis

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 31 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We really enjoyed the Cafe 43. We had lunch here while touring the Bush Center. The Cafe was beautiful with big windows overlooking the grounds. The food was delicious and the service very good.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Tom

    Tampa

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on 26 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent food. Brian and Manny took excellent care of us. Fair prices.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Café 43 is rated 4.9 stars by 1530 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
20:30
Booked 8 times today
Google Map for Café 43

2943 SMU Blvd., Dallas, TX 75205

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Bush Avenue
  • Area
    Downtown
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Mon–Sat 11:00–14:30 Brunch Sat 11:00–14:30
  • 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
    (214) 200-4302
  • 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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