With the capital settling in for a scorching summer, the race for air conditioning is ramping up. Heatwaves, once problems dealt with every once in a while, have become increasingly frequent, meaning London’s historic buildings, concrete-dense infrastructure and over-heating public transport become borderline unbearable at 30°C. So if you can’t find relief at home, at work, or at Hampstead Heath Ponds, here’s where to while away the hours dining on delectable dishes and sipping crisp cocktails in the comfort of air-conditioning. These pubs and restaurants have never been cooler – literally. 

North London

Mildreds, Camden

Since opening in Soho more than three decades ago, Mildreds has become London’s go-to plant-based purveyor, now operating six locations spanning Soho, Covent Garden, Victoria, King’s Cross and Camden. The latter is just a four-minute walk from the underground station, meaning you can jump from the sweaty Northern line to a vegan, air-conditioned heaven serving signature dishes of tamarind teriyaki cauliflower cups, artichoke Caesar salad, and banana biscoff caramel pancakes. Cool down with an array of cold brew tea infusions, fresh juices and chilled desserts – we’d go for the white chocolate tiramisu every single time. 

9 Jamestown Road, NW1 7BW, visit mildreds.co.uk 

Caravan, King’s Cross

Founded in 2010 by three friends from New Zealand, Caravan began life in Exmouth Market, bringing together a well-travelled menu, specialty coffee, and hospitality that felt warm and unpretentious. Sixteen years later, and with several restaurants across London and Manchester, plus a North London roastery, that spirit remains the same. Go today to discover a menu that caters to a variety of tastes, diets, and occasions – from relaxed morning coffees and meetings with colleagues, to nourishing lunches and late-night dinners featuring signature plates of jalapeño cornbread with fried egg and chilli butter, cod dumplings with sambal, and slow-fermented sourdough pizzas. The best bit? Every single London outpost is air conditioned. See you there. 

1 Granary Square, N1C 4AA, visit caravanandco.com 

Hawksmoor, King’s Cross

Quite literally at the other end of the foodie spectrum to the aforementioned Mildreds , Hawksmoor is perfect for carnivores. In fact, Hawksmoor can lay claim to stirring up London’s steak scene when it opened in 2006, now operating 14 restaurants worldwide, eight of which are in London. Hawksmoor St Pancras, located in the west wing of the iconic Grade I-listed St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, is one of its most recent, bringing signature cuts to King’s Cross just last year. While the kitchens may be firing, and the steaks sizzling, trust you will not be getting hot under the collar thanks to Hawksmoor’s air conditioning, meaning you can dine on charcoal-grilled chateaubriand, porterhouse and T-bone in the most temperate of climes. 

St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, NW1 2AR, visit thehawksmoor.com 

East London

Wonton Charlie’s, London Fields

Created by the team behind Mr Bao, Wonton Charlie’s marked their first venture beyond Taiwanese cuisine, opening an air-conditioned outpost in London Fields last winter. Specialising in Cantonese comfort food, specifically the wonton noodle soup that is a cornerstone of Hong Kong dining culture, this 18-seater, walk-in-only spot captures the energy of Hong Kong noodle bars, with crispy fish skin snacks, fresh cold plum tea, fridges stocked with local beers, and bowls of carefully crafted soup. With air con this good, who said soup couldn’t cool you down? 

392-393 Mentmore Terrace, E8 3PH, visit wontoncharlies.co.uk 

Manteca, Shoreditch

Famous for its silky, homemade pasta and in-house salumeria, Manteca is a nose-to-tail Italian opened in 2021 by chef Chris Leach. Situated on Shoreditch’s Curtain Road, fan favourites such as the pig head fritti, wild-farmed focaccia and ‘nduja steamed mussels remain on menu, joined more recently by the ‘rapid rigatoni’ lunch menu priced from £24 for two courses. A speedy sample menu for July features a seasonal wild garlic Caesar, a choice of braised lentil or chicken ragu rigatoni, and elderflower sorbet. If you need to decompress and cool down at lunch, you know where to go… 

49-51 Curtain Road, EC2A 3PT, visit mantecarestaurant.co.uk 

Barbarella, Canary Wharf

Image: Joann Pai

Image: Jerome Galland

Big Mamma Group, behind London’s most Instagrammable Italian restaurants, opened Barbarella last year – and good news for the commuter crowd, it has some seriously powerful air conditioning. Inspired by the golden age of Roman cinema in the 1970s, the restaurant, decked out in sexy vintage Ferragamo silks and glitzy details, is led by Roma-born head chef Marco Rastelli. Serving a menu inspired by his home town, expect daily changing, extra-thin, extra-wide Ruota di Carretto pizzas; caramelised Italian tomato tatin with parmigiano cream and homemade fresh pasta like the one-metre long spaghettone. 

Mackenzie Walk Unit 3 YY, E14 5HX, visit bigmammagroup.com 

Central London

Town, Covent Garden

British chef Stevie Parle made waves on the capital’s dining scene when he opened Town in Covent Garden last spring. Built around sustainable British produce served in design-led interiors with a 1970s feel – think lava stone countertops, a lacquered green kitchen and classic Jacobsen chairs, all chilled to an enjoyable 18°C – Town prioritises its producers by investing in farmers using progressive and regenerative approaches. It is, for example, among the first restaurants in the UK to serve wild-farmed beef from its own herd of 100 per cent grass-fed cows in Oxfordshire. Elsewhere, peak-season plates change daily, homemade ice creams are hyper-seasonal, and cheeses come from Ireland’s Lost Valley Dairy, which is run by Parle’s brother and sister-in-law. Doing good while staying cool has never been so easy. 

26-29 Drury Lane, WC2B 5RL, visit town.restaurant 

The Palomar, Soho

Founded by siblings Zoë and Layo Paskin, The Palomar has garnered a slew of awards since it opened more than a decade ago, including holding a Michelin Bib Gourmand since 2014. Right in the heart of Theatreland, the indoor restaurant is cool both literally and metaphorically, with chef Dan Murray serving food influenced by the rich cultures of southern Spain, north Africa and the Levant. Order small plates of sesame chicken schnitzel with shifka aioli, baby cucumbers with green tahini, crispy chilli oil and candied almond, whole grilled sea bream with harissa glaze and cabbage slaw, alongside the house picante, all with a side of air con. 

34 Rupert Street, W1D 6DN, visit thepalomar.co.uk 

The Guinea Grill, Mayfair

For those looking to swap sweltering streets for somewhere a little cooler, The Guinea Grill offers a welcome escape in the heart of Mayfair. Fully air conditioned, this historic pub is famed for its traditional steakhouse, serving some of London's finest dry-aged British beef from its open grill, alongside award-winning pies. Pair them with one of the capital's best pints of Guinness for a refreshing pit stop on a hot day. 

30 Bruton Place, W1J 6NL visit theguinea.co.uk 

South London

Aragon House, Parsons Green

Cool off at Aragon House in the heart of Parsons Green, with a recent refurbishment including full air conditioning throughout its elegant indoor spaces. The beautifully restored Georgian pub is known for its elevated take on the local, serving seasonal British dishes, standout seafood and oysters, alongside expertly crafted cocktails and an extensive wine list.

247 New Kings Road, SW6 4XG, visit aragonhousesw6.com 

The White Horse, Parsons Green

Fulham favourite The White Horse, affectionately known as ‘The Sloaney Pony’, combines the charm of an iconic Victorian pub with elegant interiors, a stylish dining space, a beautiful garden, and full air conditioning throughout, offering a comfortable setting for every season. Long celebrated as one of West London’s most popular drinking destinations, The White Horse places dining centre stage, making it the perfect place to escape the heat and enjoy a full spectrum of pub food and drinks in chilled comfort.

1-3 Parsons Green, SW6 4UL, visit whitehorsesw6.com  

The Laundry, Brixton

Image: Jack Lewis Williams

New Zealand-born chef and sommelier Melanie Brown is the force behind The Laundry – a much-loved South London restaurant known for its seasonal, ingredient-led cooking and easy-going Kiwi hospitality. Luckily for Brixton, The Laundry is air conditioned too. Dine on all-day dishes such as Thai-style chicken salad, steak frites, and pie of the day, and cool down with cocktails like pineapple gin fizz and spicy watermelon mule. 

374 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PL, visit thelaundrybrixton.com 

West London

Caia, Notting Hill

Image: Lateef Photography

The brainchild of Notting Hill locals Rishabh Vir and Tim Lang, Caia has been a hit with both foodies and oenophiles since it opened in 2022. Air conditioned throughout, sit upstairs at the marble bar for cocktails whipped up in front of your eyes, or move downstairs to discover the restaurant’s vinyl music programme. New for summer is Notti Hour: a pre-service ritual, with £8 cocktails and wine, and a small burger menu. Available from 5.30-6.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday, kick off an evening in Notting Hill with £8 freezer martinis, spritzes and regularly changing specials. No cocktail should be left alone, so executive chef John Javier has put some smashing burgers on the menu, like the prawn tempura cutlet and the Sichuan fried chicken.

46 Golborne Road, W10 5PR, visit caia.london 

The Hound, Chiswick

The Hound officially opened its doors in Chiswick in July 2024, following an extensive restoration that pays homage to the building's storied past as a Victorian police station. Now comprising a bustling pub and two private dining rooms – all of which are air conditioned – West Londoners can also retreat to a covered outdoor courtyard or a south-facing front terrace once the temperatures drop. Open for lunch, dinner and bar snacks, we recommend lingering a little longer to sample a food menu overseen by two Michelin-starred chef James Knappett. Specifically for summer, The Hound has partnered with agave brand The Lost Explorer to concoct refreshing serves such as the Honeydrew Cooler, combining cardamom and fennel-spiked tequila with mezcal, Aperol, honeydew melon and soda.

210 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PD, visit thehound.london 

The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea

If the scorching sun is enough to deter you from sipping out on The Cadogan Arms’ King’s Road terrace, pick up your signature Dirty Tommy’s margarita and head inside to make the most of its air conditioning. A modern Chelsea institution, you’ll hear this pub long before you arrive, attracting a Sloaney crowd who swarm here throughout summer. Inside, it has retained its ‘proper pub’ vibe, open all day across its ground floor bar, dining room, and the private Rose Room, named after the pub’s former life as The Rose and Crown. If the air con isn’t enough to entice you, The Cadogan Arms has repeatedly been listed in the prestigious Top 50 UK Best Gastropubs. Chin-chin. 

298 King's Road, SW3 5UG, visit thecadoganarms.london

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