The food was fabulous. We were a party of 12 and somehow the kitchen missed two entree's so my nephew got his food when everyone else was done. The problem was they served his entree at three other tables after they missed his. Like most food establishments during this pandemic I'm sure they're working shorthanded. That was the only issue we had and I would definitely go back again. It was a great way to feel like before we hit the library. read more

We finally tried Cafe 43 and it did not disappoint! All of the staff members were nice and greeted us with warm smiles. I ordered the crab lump salad and a mimosa. Our meals came out extremely quick, which was awesome since we were very hungry. The salad was delicious! I cannot wait to go back! read more

This restaurant is located in the Bush Presidential Library right on the edge of SMU's campus. We thought the food was delicious - we had the crab salad and a chicken panini. The restaurant decor was simple and pleasant. It was a very nice unch. read more

Just like first dates and books written by reality TV "stars," I think it's best to start with a disclaimer: I did not tour the grounds when going to Cafe 43. I saw none of the library, the displays or whatever other secrets waiting to be stumbled upon may exist on the grounds. My time was limited to the paid parking lot and Cafe 43 itself. So if you're hoping for insight into what times are the best times to browse the library, this is not the review for you. But if you want to learn more about a fantastic place for a weekend brunch, keep reading! Cafe 43 is built into the Bush Center, and exists as a place to grab a bite to eat for both visitors to the larger exhibits, as well as for people who want to try something different from their usual weekend lunch affairs. The drive in is a quick slice of rural Texas plains before stopping off in a visitor's parking lot that has more hybrid and electric vehicle parking than anywhere else I've ever been. (For a split second I thought we may have accidentally pulled into the parking lot of a Whole Foods still under construction.) From there, it's a quick walk across the street to a starkly gorgeous building. Cafe 43 is behind the far right door. Once inside, a sense of architectural genius, modern style and other impressive adjectives takes hold: the entrance, dining room and outdoor patio courtyard all look chic yet casual. It's an impressive environment to just observe, and it comes with the added bonus of serving up some truly delicious food! We made reservations for lunch on a Saturday and were greeted right away when we walked in. With a table near the back wall of windows, we had a great view of the rest of the grounds and I immediately began thinking how awesome it must be to dine in here on a snowy day. Granted, that requires snow in north Texas, but it could happen... just like I could eventually get to the food portion of a restaurant review by the fifth paragraph. The meal here was great from start to finish. The complimentary basket of breads hit the spot, but a selection of appetizers can also be reviewed before chowing down on the main course. Our group mostly stuck with the usual comforting staples of "backyard" lunches: burgers and salads. And yeah, the smoked chicken salad and the burger both deserve top marks for being very tasty. But the Southern Benedict with andouille gravy stole the show. It say something when just typing about a dish makes me pause to make sure I'm not drooling on myself, and that something is 1.) the Southern Benedict is divine; and 2.) I've probably said too much at the start of this sentence. Add in two four-packs of Mrs. Bush's diet-destroying cookies, and you have a lunch far better than dozens of places in the surrounding area. I'm kicking myself for not remembering the name of our server, but he was equally impressive. That can be applied to the food runners, drink refillers and other staff on duty. No one felt like they were coasting while their teammates carried them, and the entire experience was relaxing, fulfilling and enough to make me want to make the slight pilgrimage down here again for another meal. (The only nitpick any of us had were the french fries: they just weren't anything to get excited about. It might be because the rest of the food was so satisfying, but stick with a different side from the fries if you can.) If the rest of the library is as wonderful as Cafe 43, then this is a destination that should be on everyone's list of places to check out. And even if the library is not as engaging as you might have hoped, Cafe 43 still delivers the goods. read more

The beautiful open space and food is stunning. We enjoyed two delicious salads of locally sourced greens and vegetables along with a basket of freshly baked yummy breads. The art is minimal as is the decor. I enjoyed the Impressionist painting featuring a lovely brunette with a blonde and a brunette daughter. Can you guess who they represent? Our waiter unfortunately mixed up our salads and later he attempted to pick up an empty sugar packet from the table but his big fingers did not grasp it after about three tries. So....he licked the tip of his fat index finger and dabbed the packet to pick it up. Whoa. That's a big no no in my dining out book. read more

We has a wonderful lunch at Cafe 43 a couple of days ago. The restaurant is elegant but not stuffy, the service was excellent and the food was really good! There were 4 of us - My husband had the burger, I had the chicken salad (delightful!), our friend the "Mrs Bush's favorite sandwich" and my daughter had a gluten free grilled cheese. The waiter was very helpful and kindly walked my daughter through gluten free options. We had a great meal in a comfortable, no rush atmosphere. I can highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Luckily I am reviewing the food of this Presidential Library Cafe. The patrons were very red, drank a lot of tea, and seemed to be "party"ing. Food: Daaaaaaamn. Beef short rib French dip was smokey, moist, with a delicious toasted bun and fresh mozzarella. Fried fish sandwich with lemon aioli about made me order another one just to not forget that flavor. French fries must have been "Freedom" Fries, you know, Free From Flavor. Laura's chocolate chip cookies and homemade ice cream were scrumptious. Warm cookies hardly ever lose. Ice cream was creamy, light in flavor, and super delicious. Should mass produce and send it to me. Decor: beautiful and classy. The windows into the area are well designed. Service: Above average. Pleasant. Knowledgable. Helpful. Cost: 2 sandwiches, dessert for 32 dollars. Not perfect, but worth it. read more

I really liked this place. Parking can be a challenge and if you are lucky enough to get in the lot across the street know you have to pay $7, credit or debit cards ONLY accepted. I had a spinach salad. I asked if they had vegan options and the server said he had never been asked that and the chef didn't have any suggestions either but they made the spinach salad without cheese. My friends had the omelet and one had the chicken salad which said that was good. Prices were very reasonable and the ambiance is the perfect place to lunch and catch up with friends. read more

Based on a recommendation, my wife and I made reservations here before our visit to the Presidential Museum. The food was decent, but our server was really unprofessional. When we asked if any of the menu items were gluten free, his response was "...um, maybe this one,...possibly this one,...if we remove the bread from this one..."  So we asked him if he could make sure with the chef that any of those options are GF and he said yes. We ordered the cioppino based on his recommendation with the caveat that he double check first, but he never got back to us. We followed up to ask him and he said "Yes, of course it is." Neither of us were very reassured that he actually asked the chef. After our meals were finished, he brought a dessert menu to the only person at our table who wasn't GF. He proceeded to say that all of the dessert options were non-GF. My wife asked him if their sorbet was GF. He said yes and then he didn't offer it to us. So my wife asked if she could order it. Without any apology or anything, he brought her sorbet and barely said another word to us for the rest of our visit. I am a firm believer that service makes or breaks the dining experience. Unfortunately, Cafe 43 under delivered because of the poor service that we received. read more

Two friends and I enjoyed our recent lunch at Cafe 43. We had reservations for lunch followed by a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. The cafe is beautiful and the service is attentive. I had the corn chowder and the omelet--so good. I also enjoyed a scoop of banana pecan ice cream. My friends enjoyed their meals, too. read more

I have been to this restaurant 3 times and have been consistently pleased. Ambiance- Classy but not overly fancy. I love restaurants like this where you are expected to dress up a little, but not go overboard. Well behaved kids are clearly very welcome, but expect to also see a lot of wealthy older ladies on lunch "dates", etc, etc. Employees- I have to say, I can't think of a restaurant with employees as friendly and sweet as the ones here. Every single time, the hostess, the waiters, the manager, everyone has been wonderful. The prices- Fair considering the quality of the experience The food- Fantastic. The first time I went I got the steak salad and it was fantastic! The steak was flavorful and the salad had lots of interesting vegetables etc that made it delicious. The second time I went I got "Mrs Bush's Favorite Sandwich" which is mozzarella, tomato, pesto, and avocado on the most incredible bread you'll ever eat. Basically the sandwich version of a caprese salad (plus avocado) and it was superb. Today I went and I got the burger. It looked amazing when it was passing by our table when we first sat down, so I decided to order it without really looking at the menu. I'm glad I did because otherwise I would have been kicking myself for not trying it, but I have to admit I've had better burgers. The flavors were all really good, but I just really wish the meat had been thicker. Other than that though it was prepared really well and had really nice flavor. Today I also ordered the blueberry crumb for dessert. Though the crumb part was basically nonexistent, the cinnamon ice cream totally made up for the lack of crumb. The blueberries in it were also clearly fresh and plump, so overall I'm glad I ordered it. Definitely recommend eating here, especially if you are at SMU or going to the Bush Library, as it's definitely one of the best restaurants nearby. Tip: The menu changes a little bit each season read more

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My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at Café 43. My husband had the steak and eggs and enjoyed his meal. I had the chicken enchiladas which were some of the best enchiladas I have eaten. The staff was very friendly and professional. We had reservations so we were seated right as we came in. We received our food very quickly and the price was reasonable. read more

The space is gorgeous, I really loved how open and bright it all looked. I went with a larger group for lunch before hitting the tour. Since it was lunch, we all decided to pass on appetizers. I wanted something tasty and the chicken sandwich with avocado (with fries!) fit right in. Chicken that was still moist, perfectly ripe avocado and nicely toasted bread. Fries were crisp and delicious. A salad that was ordered at the table looked fresh and bright. (And brought me shame compared to all the glorious carbs and starch I was having) Our service was a bit off. It seemed as if they are going for a more upscale dining experience with inexperienced staff. Just a little rough around the edges. Our server was out of place loud, held my arm when it was my turn to order (um, weird) and oddly changed direction of orders she was taking in the middle. My water was always topped off by roaming water refillers (bus?) but they always splashed water all about out of the bottles they used. These were minor setbacks, everyone really enjoyed their lunch and it shaped for a good visit. read more

Such a lovely restaurant attached to the Bush Library! We stopped in at 11am when they opened to enjoy a light lunch before touring the museum. The space is bright, open and welcoming with beautiful artwork. Everything on the menu sounded delicious, but I had to choose something. I went with the smoked chicken salad with berries. It was the perfect choice - healthy, fresh and tasty. My husband and mother-in-law were very pleased with their meals as well. We would definitely be back just for lunch! read more

I had lunch here today with a friend from CA. The service is the best and the food is delicious. I had the Heirloom Tomato salad and it was perfect. It was too hot to eat outside as my wife and I did on our last visit. As we bring friends and visitors to the Dallas area, the Bush Library and Cafe 43 will be on top of our list of things to do in Dallas. read more

The food was wonderful! We had the grilled chicken sandwich, the lump crab salad, and the peach cobbler. Everything was amazing! I wish I could have ordered all of their fare. However, the service left something to be desired. Our waiter (and the wait staff in general) was very attentive and always made sure we were taken care of, but we found the hostess to be a little snooty and condescending. We know it's 10:55, woman. We still want to eat at 11! read more

Loved this lunch! We drank the Prossecco and it was lovely! Their version of tortilla soup is made with poblano chilies, northern white beans and avocado! The lump crab salad was yummy and fresh as was the seared shrimp salad my mother ordered! For dessert we shared the Banana Pecan ice cream!! Perfection! read more

Gorgeous location, service is phenomenal. Highly recommend the banana walnut pancakes. read more

Cafe 43 - Banana Walnut Pancakes with Grilled Bacon and Maple Syrup - Cafes Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Simple Elegance. Mrs.Bush sandwhich was amazing like all the reviews! The sweet potatoe fries worth extra. Great background music. We did museum at 9:15am and ready ti eat at 11:15. Meals was served d quickly and with grace by waitress. I highly recommend this cafe/restaurant! read more

Amazing food, good service and delightful ambiance in a small restaurant/bar. Our server (whose name escapes me but hails from Vancouver, BC) was aces. He was attentive and made sure that we had everything we needed. In our party of three, we ordered guacamole to start and carnitas, ribs and lobster enchiladas for our meals. Everything was well-prepared and delicious. The margaritas and mango smoothie were great, as well. We arrived at 6p on a Saturday night and were immediately seated but by the time we left at 7:30p there were people waiting for tables. Two words: eat here. You won't regret it. read more

This cafe deserves 3.5 stars - based on our experience 4 would be a little generous but 3 is on the low side. It's a short walk from the designated pay to park lot. The women that greeted us then sat us were very friendly and welcoming, as was the woman that brought us our food. The food was ok, I enjoyed mine a bit more than my husband liked his. The complimentary bread wasn't anything special. My sandwich was quite large and the bread wasn't nearly as dry as it looks it photos. I chose fruit as a side, it was slightly warm and tasty. My husband ordered an underwhelming crawfish etouffee that did not come with rice, which etouffee normally does. For dessert we ordered two items, both were baked desserts that came with ice cream. If the baked desserts had been warm upon being served I think it would have been delicious, but they were slightly cooler than room temp. I really liked the decor of the restaurant, especially the hanging art. Overall I would eat here again but wouldn't go out of my way for it. read more

Cafe 43 - Cafes Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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Convenient for lunch after a visit to the museum. The service was excellent and the menu had enough variety to satisfy 4 of us. It was a little pricey for a "quick bite to eat," but definitely a lovely meal. read more

This was a fabulous lunch and portions were Texan sized! Great special meal for vacationing. read more

Cafe 43 - Special surf and turf that was amazing! A lean beef brisket and large shrimp. What a huge portion though! - Cafes Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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I'm giving a three star for several reasons. First since never being there and celebrating a graduation having many cars.. I think it should be posted or told when making reservations that parking is not free nor is your ticket stamped. This news was upsetting telling guests. Some parked a distance away to avoid. Second had to keep asking for the bread basket to be refilled. Third for the price and choosing the restaurant for brunch the portions are way too small: so don't go if hungry. I did love the decor though. However, for eating I will not revisit, once was enough, been there done that. The service was excellent as well. read more

Cafe 43 - Hope food is great! - Cafes Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Impressive room and original art by 43 is on display - these pieces of art often become Christmas ornaments. Lunch was a nice respite for our start of museum tour. Unique menu using fresh and locally sourced items. Wait staff seemed disinterested and just went through motions. Service not bad just thought they'd spend more time helping make informed menu decisions. The food was spot on so don't let my comments of staff deter you. read more

Amazing food! Great ambience! Very good waiters/bussers! My son and I stopped here before heading into the presidential library and had a great experience. Though it's describes as "casual" dress I would say more that it's "business casual" but when we showed up in our jeans and tshirts they were still welcoming and gave great service. Prices weren't anymore then a regular restaurant. My son had that burger and stated "this is one of the best burgers of my life". I had the chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries that was excellent. Definitely would recommend this place. read more

43=the number president George W.Bush. Cafe 43 exceeded expectations for a museum restaurant; wonderful sit down lunch with white tablecloths and excellent waiters and a lovely menu. Worth going even if not visiting the museum. read more

One of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. We went for Fathers Day and there was a total of 13 of us. 4 of them were children. From arrival, through coming up with a kids meal on the spot, to the food, to the service and finally birthday cake. Service and food were impeccable. They executed all meals together which is hard to do with so many people and service was better than most 5 star restaurants out there. The brunch menu consisted of about 5-6 things as well as the regular menu I'll def be back... I am giving them 5 stars for food and service which is what is deserved, there was a con if you plan on going there and not visiting the museum as well.....parking! We arrived at 11am and there was plenty of parking, although it will still cost you $7, we ate brunch and then did the tour and left around 2pm and parking was a nightmare, people park in spots that are not parking spots making it hard to leave your spot then the line to get out of the parking lot is LONG! But every line was long. So long story short, the restaurant deserves to be visited on its own, its that worthy, but get there early and leave early and be ready to add a extra $7 to your total bill for parking. read more

Such a cool place to get a bite while at the museum or after walking the nature trail.

Good avocado, tomato, mozzarella sandwich- they use local fare!

So many stars from others?!? Did we eat at the same place? We visited the day after Thanksgiving - so take that for what you will. There were seven of us in our party and we arrived in the early afternoon. Normally I would attempt to be clever, but for one star - let me just go around the table... For starters we had mushroom soup and homemade ricotta. Not bad. No complaints there. 2 Burgers. The one requested medium well came correctly cooked. The one requested medium came fully raw in the middle. The tempura fish sandwich had a horribly fishy smell that was perceptible by the whole table. We couldn't figure out what type of fish it was. Both meat sandwiches, a pulled BBQ pulled pork and two short rib french dips were very dry. The french dip meat was chunky and tough. It was the worse of the two types we ordered. No one finished their sandwiches. I had the seared salmon salad. The salmon tasted incredibly bland. I suspect it had been thawed and put on the cooktop. I layered it with salt to make it more edible. The salad contained avocados, but they were well buried under the lettuce to disguise how bruised and darkened they were. I had half of a red grape tomato, and half of a yellow grape tomato as part the the salad. In an attempt to salvage the meal two desserts were ordered. A chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream, and the cowboy cookies with ice cream. Both the cookies and the brownie were room temperature (you hope for warm to offset the ice cream.) The cookies were small and nothing special, oatmeal, cinnamon, and chocolate chip. Wait service was OK, although we weren't fans of our particular waiter. For some reason it took forever to get one of two cokes at the beginning of the meal. Three tries asking the waiter and finally got one to the table. This was worthy of museum $8 entrees, not $15 dollar ones. My advice? Skip the cafe 43 and get your meal elsewhere. read more

LOML and I find museum cafés to be above average in general. This one did not disappoint. We feasted on a shrimp salad and a beet salad accompanied by a Pinot noir and iced tea. All were delicious! The space was open and airy and little touches like cloth napkins made the meal special. read more

I love Cafe 43 for lunch, and I hosted an amazing dinner there for a corporate event and the food was fabulous.

We had a beautiful lunch at Cafe 43. The food was delicious. The room is beautiful with pretty views of SMU campus. The weight staff was very friendly! read more

This was awesome! After visiting the library we ate lunch at Café 43 I had the seared salmon salad it was great!and I also had ice lemonade all was fabulous service was great with a very relaxed but nice classy atmosphere. Price was fair. I would definitely go again read more

Cafe 43 - The seared salmon salad. - Cafes Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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This is a wonderful place to have lunch while visiting the George W. Bush Library. the food was very good and I do not remember what we had as it was a while ago, just they we both really enjoy the food and the atmosphere. I would recommend reservations as it was very busy the day we were there. read more

When you in the Dallas business district try Cafe 43. We had great salads, wraps, and let Line Pie. Good stuff!

We had lunch here after a friend recommended. Both entrees were amazing, with large portions and delicious sides. There's a reason they sell many of the cowboy cookies as well. Staff was very attentive and the overall experience was as great as we had heard. read more

Excellent food, staff and pricing. I recently had a bridal shower there- the service was outstanding! Can't say enough good things....wonderful experience, top notch food and service- the museum is wonderful, but the cafe is the hidden gem! read more

I love the variety of fresh dishes offered. The menu rotates seasonally so there is always something new to try. I have eaten here several times and the food and staff have always been outstanding! read more