London can feel especially uncomfortable during a heatwave: busy streets, warm transport, limited shade and plenty of homes without air conditioning.

If you want somewhere cooler to eat, start with restaurants in modern buildings, shopping centres, hotels and recently refurbished high streets.

Use the London aircon map

The fastest starting point is the UK Aircon Map filtered to London. It shows pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants where air conditioning has been reported.

Search by area if you already know where you will be, for example:

  • Soho
  • Covent Garden
  • Canary Wharf
  • South Bank
  • Stratford
  • King’s Cross
  • Shoreditch
  • Hammersmith

Areas more likely to have cooler restaurants

Restaurants in newer commercial developments are often a better bet than small older premises. In London, that means areas such as Canary Wharf, King’s Cross, Stratford, Battersea Power Station, Westfield London and Westfield Stratford.

Hotel restaurants and larger chains are also more likely to have built-in cooling, though it is still worth checking on very hot days.

Book earlier than usual

During a heatwave, people often make last-minute plans to escape hot flats. If you need a genuinely cooler place, book ahead and ask whether the main dining area is air-conditioned.

Try not to choose somewhere that requires a long walk in direct sun. A restaurant close to a Tube, Elizabeth line, Overground or bus stop may be more useful than a better-rated place that is harder to reach.

What to ask before booking

Useful questions:

  • “Is the dining room air-conditioned?”
  • “Is the air conditioning working today?”
  • “Can we book a table away from the kitchen or front door?”
  • “Is there step-free access if someone in the group is vulnerable?”

If you find a good cool venue that is missing, suggest it for the map.

Related: UK Aircon Map · Where to find cool places during a UK heatwave · Best fans for sleeping UK

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. For medical advice about heat-related illness, consult the NHS website or your GP. For official heatwave warnings, visit the Met Office.