For a London restaurant, café, bar or shop that needs air conditioning sized for kitchen heat and busy trading, our featured pick is Be Cool Refrigeration: it designs systems that balance kitchen heat with dining-room comfort, fits cassettes and ducted units for front of house, and also repairs and maintains commercial refrigeration, so one contractor can look after both. Other firms suit different situations. ADK Kooling suits kitchens that also need TR19 extract cleaning, Hamilton Air Conditioning suits North London restaurants, AllStar Air Conditioning suits Daikin-led shop fit-outs, Aspect suits multi-trade maintenance accounts, JP Air Conditioning suits South East London retail units, and The Air Conditioning Company suits venues that need temporary cooling.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored article. Be Cool Refrigeration paid for this placement and appears first as our featured pick. No other company on this list paid to be included, was contacted, or reviewed this article before publication.
How we built this list
We researched these companies on 8 October 2026 using desk research only. We did not visit venues or speak to customers.
Who qualified: London-based firms that advertise commercial air conditioning for restaurants, hospitality or retail.
What we compared: experience with kitchens and retail, system types for front of house, related services (refrigeration, ventilation), out-of-hours working, pricing and warranties.
Sources: each company’s own website, as checked on 8 October 2026. Claims are company-stated.
How we ordered it: Be Cool Refrigeration is first as the sponsored featured pick. The rest are ordered by how directly their published services address restaurants and shops. We did not score them.
At a glance: commercial AC for restaurants and shops
| # | Company | Strongest fit | Main differentiator | Pricing basis | Key consideration |
| 1 | Be Cool Refrigeration (featured, sponsored) | Restaurants wanting AC and refrigeration from one firm | Kitchen heat design; commercial refrigeration repair | Free survey; servicing from £99 per unit at 7 to 10 units | Install timelines inconsistent on site |
| 2 | ADK Kooling | Commercial kitchens | AC, refrigeration and TR19 duct cleaning | Quote within 48 hours | Two addresses on site |
| 3 | Hamilton Air Conditioning | North London restaurants and retail | Restaurant repair testimonial; 5-year warranty | Free consultation | No certifications named |
| 4 | AllStar Air Conditioning | Daikin shop and restaurant fit-outs | Daikin D1+ partner plus electrical trades | Prices not listed | Daikin only |
| 5 | Aspect | Chains with one maintenance account | Multi-trade cover; 1-hour emergency promise | From £63 per half-hour + VAT | 12-month guarantee |
| 6 | JP Air Conditioning | South East London retail units | Out-of-hours installation | Quote within 48 hours | Weekday office hours |
| 7 | The Air Conditioning Company | Venues needing temporary cooling | Same-day portable hire in London | Hire from £39.50 per week + VAT | Fixed-system prices not listed |
All details are as stated by each company on its own website, checked 8 October 2026.
1. Be Cool Refrigeration | Our featured pick for London restaurants that want air conditioning and refrigeration under one contractor
Overview
Be Cool Refrigeration is a London air conditioning and commercial refrigeration contractor based on Ludgate Hill, EC4, which says it has worked in the trade since 2004. For restaurants and hospitality, it designs systems that pair cooling for hot kitchens with discreet front-of-house units such as ceiling cassettes and ducted systems.
The same company repairs and maintains commercial fridges, freezers, cold rooms, bottle coolers, ice machines and cellar coolers, and offers 24/7 emergency callouts. It covers all London boroughs and works with brands including Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Samsung and LG.
Key details
- Core offering: commercial AC design, installation, repair and maintenance; commercial refrigeration repair and maintenance.
- Coverage: Greater London; South East for larger commercial projects.
- Customer fit: restaurants, cafés, pubs, bars, hotels and shops.
- Pricing and terms: free survey; installation warranty up to 7 years; servicing from £145 per unit for two to three units and £99 per unit for seven to ten.
Where Be Cool Refrigeration stands out
It knows the kitchen problem. Be Cool explicitly addresses balancing kitchen heat with dining comfort, which is where restaurant AC often fails: a system sized for the dining room alone cannot cope when the pass is running at full heat.
One contractor covers both cooling systems. A restaurant can call the same firm for a failed cassette and a failed walk-in, and site testimonials describe hospitality groups using Be Cool for both since 2010 and 2011, which are company-selected reviews rather than independent ones.
What to consider
Commercial install times are given as “typically 25 days” in the FAQ and “within 12 days” in the process steps. Restaurants should agree a programme that avoids trading hours. Its 5.0 Google rating is shown without a count.
Best fit
Restaurants, bars and hotels that want front-of-house AC designed around kitchen heat, plus refrigeration repair from the same contractor.
Website: becoolrefrigeration.co.uk
2. ADK Kooling | Best for commercial kitchens that need extract cleaning too
Overview
ADK Kooling, which names A-D-K Kooling Ltd, works across Greater London, Kent and Surrey on air conditioning, commercial refrigeration and ventilation. It says it has 15 years’ experience, is F-Gas certified and is a TR19 certified VHR member.
For restaurants its relevant services include AC installation and PPM, commercial fridge repair, cold rooms, cellar cooling, blast chillers, ice machines and TR19 grease duct cleaning.
Key details
- Core offering: AC, refrigeration and kitchen ventilation hygiene.
- Coverage: Greater London, Kent and Surrey.
- Customer fit: restaurants, commercial kitchens and public-sector catering.
- Pricing and terms: free survey; quote within 48 hours; prices not published.
Where ADK Kooling stands out
It covers grease compliance. Kitchen extract systems need regular TR19 grease cleaning for fire safety and insurance, and ADK is TR19 grease compliant, so the AC contractor can also handle extract hygiene.
It is broad on kitchen equipment, covering cellar cooling, blast chillers and ice machines alongside AC.
What to consider
The site shows two different London addresses and two versions of its warranty, and no named clients. Get these clarified before signing.
Best fit
Commercial kitchens that want AC, refrigeration and TR19 duct cleaning from one contractor.
Website: adk.co.uk
3. Hamilton Air Conditioning | Best for North London restaurants and retail
Overview
Hamilton Air Conditioning Ltd, based in Mill Hill, NW7, installs, maintains and repairs air conditioning and ventilation for restaurants, shops, offices and homes in London. Its site includes a testimonial for a restaurant repair in Chelsea.
It fits high wall units for retail, ceiling cassettes, ducted systems and VRV/VRF, and describes itself as an authorised Daikin and Mitsubishi installer.
Key details
- Core offering: commercial AC installation, maintenance, repair and ventilation.
- Coverage: London, with a North London focus.
- Customer fit: restaurants and independent retailers.
- Pricing and terms: free consultation; 5-year installation warranty; finance mentioned.
Where Hamilton Air Conditioning stands out
Ventilation is in-house, which matters for restaurants where AC and fresh-air supply need to work together.
The warranty is clearly stated at 5 years, and finance options may help independent venues spread the cost.
What to consider
No certification bodies, response times or review counts are published, and refrigeration is not listed as a service.
Best fit
North London restaurants and shops that want AC and ventilation from a local installer.
Website: hamiltonaircon.com
4. AllStar Air Conditioning | Best for Daikin-led shop and restaurant fit-outs
Overview
AllStar Air Conditioning is a London Daikin D1+ partner that designs and installs AC for shops, restaurants, offices and leisure venues, and lists warehouses and retail outlets among its sectors. It also offers ventilation, acoustics and a wide range of electrical services.
Its homepage displays a Google rating of 5.0 from 149 reviews, checked 8 October 2026.
Key details
- Core offering: Daikin AC, ventilation, acoustics and electrical contracting.
- Coverage: London.
- Customer fit: shop and restaurant fit-outs.
- Pricing and terms: online quotes; warranties up to 7 years via Daikin.
Where AllStar Air Conditioning stands out
Acoustics and electrics are covered, which matters for restaurant fit-outs where outdoor units near neighbours need noise control and new circuits are needed.
The visible review base is strong for an installer of its type.
What to consider
It is Daikin only, publishes no address, and does not list refrigeration. Kitchens will need a separate refrigeration contractor.
Best fit
Shop and restaurant fit-outs using Daikin that want AC, acoustics and electrics in one package.
Website: allstar-aircon.co.uk
5. Aspect | Best for chains wanting one multi-trade maintenance account
Overview
Aspect Maintenance Services Limited, trading as Aspect, is a Chessington-based multi-trade maintenance company covering all 32 London boroughs. Its engineers repair, service and install air conditioning and also repair commercial refrigeration, with domestic fridges excluded.
Aspect lists F-Gas licensing via Refcom and CHAS, ISO 9001 and SafeContractor logos, and promises a one-hour emergency response.
Key details
- Core offering: AC, commercial refrigeration repair, plumbing, electrics and building maintenance.
- Coverage: all London boroughs and inside the M25.
- Customer fit: restaurant and retail chains, landlords.
- Pricing and terms: from £63 per half-hour plus VAT, one-hour minimum; parking and ULEZ not charged.
Where Aspect stands out
A chain can use one account for a blocked sink, a failed fridge and a leaking cassette, with consistent rates across sites.
Its emergency promise is the fastest stated here, useful for venues that lose trade every hour the AC is down.
What to consider
It is a generalist with a guarantee up to 12 months. For complex restaurant AC design, compare with a specialist installer.
Best fit
Restaurant and retail chains that want one multi-trade maintenance account with a published rate.
Website: aspect.co.uk
6. JP Air Conditioning | Best for South East London retail units
Overview
JP Air Conditioning, based in Bromley, BR2, designs and installs commercial AC across Greater London, with a South East London focus. It says it has more than 15 years’ experience and is a Daikin Business Partner.
It fits cassettes, multi-split wall units, VRF and ducted systems, offers out-of-hours installation, and provides risk assessments and method statements per job.
Key details
- Core offering: commercial AC design, installation, maintenance and repair.
- Coverage: Greater London; South East focus.
- Customer fit: retail units and commercial premises.
- Pricing and terms: quote within 48 hours; parts warranty up to 7 years with JP servicing.
Where JP Air Conditioning stands out
Out-of-hours installation means a shop can stay open while the system goes in.
It names a corporate client, Engie, giving some evidence of commercial delivery.
What to consider
Office hours are weekdays 9 to 5, and refrigeration is not offered.
Best fit
South East London shops that want installation done outside trading hours.
Website: jpaircon.com
7. The Air Conditioning Company | Best for venues needing temporary cooling
Overview
The Air Conditioning Company, trading name of Airconco UK Ltd, is based in Mill Hill East, NW7, and says it was founded in 1986. It installs and maintains fixed systems for shops and restaurants and runs portable hire with same-day delivery in London.
It states a 10-year installation warranty and shows Trustpilot 4.9 from 607 reviews, checked 8 October 2026.
Key details
- Core offering: fixed AC installation and maintenance; portable sale and hire.
- Coverage: Greater London and the Home Counties.
- Customer fit: shops, restaurants and pop-up or event venues.
- Pricing and terms: portable hire from £39.50 per week excluding VAT; fixed-system prices not listed.
Where The Air Conditioning Company stands out
Same-day portable hire can keep a venue trading through a heatwave or a breakdown.
The stated 10-year installation warranty is the longest on this list.
What to consider
Refrigeration is not offered, and the site focuses heavily on portable products.
Best fit
Shops and venues that want fixed AC with temporary cooling available on short notice.
Website: airconco.com
What restaurants and shops should check
- Size for the kitchen, not just the floor. Ask how the design handles kitchen heat at peak service.
- Plan around trading hours. Agree install dates and times in writing.
- Check outdoor unit noise. Councils and neighbours may object to noisy condensers near residential windows.
- Think about refrigeration. A contractor that also repairs fridges can save a second call-out on a bad day.
- Ask for F-Gas certificates and insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Why does restaurant air conditioning need special design?
Kitchens produce heat that a dining-room system is not sized for. The design must balance extraction, make-up air and cooling, or the front of house stays hot during service.
Which AC system suits a shop?
Ceiling cassettes suit shops with suspended ceilings; high wall units suit smaller shops without them. A survey should check heat from lighting, people and equipment.
Can one contractor handle AC and refrigeration?
Yes. Be Cool Refrigeration, ADK Kooling and Aspect all list commercial refrigeration repair alongside AC.
How often should restaurant AC be serviced?
Be Cool Refrigeration recommends twice a year for commercial systems in constant use; grease-laden kitchen air may justify more frequent filter cleaning.
The bottom line
For London restaurants and bars that want air conditioning designed around kitchen heat and refrigeration repair from the same firm, Be Cool Refrigeration is our featured pick. Kitchens that also need TR19 extract cleaning should compare ADK Kooling, chains wanting a multi-trade account should look at Aspect, and Daikin-led fit-outs can talk to AllStar. Agree installation dates around trading before you sign.
