The Beirut Souks are not really souks at all — they are a clean, contemporary shopping district rebuilt by Solidere on the site of the old Ottoman markets, which were destroyed in the civil war. Stone-paved lanes lead between international fashion brands, restaurants, and a multiplex cinema, with archaeological remains preserved in glass-floored corners.
It is not where you go for atmosphere, but it is well laid out, walkable, and a useful place to escape the heat. The Souk al-Tawileh and Souk al-Jamil are loose nods to the old market geography. A handful of jewellery and craft shops do represent Lebanese designers worth a stop.