Funky Munky serves up fresh coffee, black teas, and bubble teas in a lively space adorned with vintage auto garage decor. The shop is cozy and comfortable, with lots of regulars who seem to know each other well.

The fresh and funky interior isn't something you'd expect find in a Markham strip mall. Owner Chris Pui is a car enthusiast, and his love for vintage automobile-themed knick-knacks can be seen throughout the cafe.

The decor isn't the only thing that's unique about the place. Pui envisioned Funky Munky as a place where the community hangs out with each other, and it shows: the atmosphere here is jovial and often loud. You'll see board games being played one night, movies being watched on a projector screen the next.

The most popular drink here is the FM Style Tea ($3). I take mine hot, and it immediately reminds me of a smooth Hong Kong-style tea. The difference is that the milk used in the tea contains steamed milk in addition to the regular evaporated kind. Definitely one to try.

Another signature drink is the Cold FM Coftea ($3). Once again, Funky Munky takes a familiar concept, this time a Yuanyang tea , but puts their own twist on it. In this case, the twist is using freshly ground and pressed coffee instead of the usual instant coffee. The result is a much stronger and full-bodied beverage.

Tea purists should try the Cold Jasmine Milk Tea ($3.90). It's a refreshing and not-overly-sweet version of the classic bubble tea. The use of green tea makes the beverage much lighter than those found in most bubble tea cafes.

Perhaps one of the more unique aspects of the shop is its merchandise section. Funky Munky-branded swag range from hoodies ($35 each) to New Era caps (starting at $15 each).

Finally, don't forget the snacks. The cookies ($1.90 each) are more than decent, and the brownies (2.70) are decadently rich and moist.

I enjoy a few of these while immersing myself in the raucous laughter in the background. Who knew that Markham really comes alive in a such a small coffee shop?

Posted by Darren "DKLo" Susilo. When not writing for blogTO he can usually be found tweeting here or delaying mealtimes indefinitely by posting pictures here . Photos by Hector Vasquez.