Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations of a self-contained open refrigeration display cabinet have been performed. Experimental measurements of the cabinet operation including the refrigeration parameters and air flow conditions have been obtained. It is found that neither laminar nor turbulent simulations provide entirely satisfactory descriptions of the cabinet operation. The laminar simulation under estimates the sensible heat load on the cabinet by about 75%, and in the turbulent simulation, the sensible heat load is over estimated by approximately 50%. Similarly, the actual temperature profile within the air curtain is not accurately simulated by either the laminar or turbulent calculation, but roughly falls in between the laminar and turbulent estimates. It appears the simulation of open refrigeration display cabinets would benefit from improvements in the modelling of the low Reynolds number turbulent conditions.