You know how a place feels the second you walk in?  Something about the energy, the vibe that makes you feel comfortable?  Well that was my first experience at Funky Monkey, Irwin Street Markets newest organic coffee shop.  Located inside the Irwin Street Market right next to Jake’s Ice Cream,  Funky Monkey serves fresh roasted organic Batdorf  & Bronson coffee.  Better known as “Dancing Goats, the aroma is as soft as the fur on the monkey the place is named after.  Nothing seems perfect at this non corporate coffee house and that’s a good thing.  Loaded with charm, warmth, and a feel more like a living room, Funky Monkey is an eclectic gathering of odds and ends that say “Hey, we’re glad you’re here!! Stay all day….”   Shawn Arnold was performing acoustic guitar the night I was there.  A gathering of friends sipped coffee, reminisced, dined on wings from Soul cafe (I loved my meatloaf, collards and yams!)  Others joined in on mic as well…ask Alex to sing his Duct Tape song!

Dessert?  Well Jake’s Ice Cream of course!  I haven’t had Jake’s in a long time so when Holly Firfer suggested I try  “Hot Spicy Mexican” (chocolate with cayenne pepper!) I did and WOW! Followed that up with “Coffee and Donuts (”Krispy Kreme donuts mixed with coffee) that was fantastic.  So the favorite “Chocolate Slap yo mama” was just as great as I remember but then I saw “Blueberry Thrill” that had whole fresh blueberries  packed in every bite and let me just say it was the BEST Blueberry ice cream I’ve ever had!! Forget Chocolate slap yo mama cause Blueberry Thrill is ball bustin baby!

Serpas restaurant is right across the street, so stop by after dinner and grab a coffee, shop, have dessert, eat again at Soul, then have more Funky Monkey coffee.  It’s what the monkey would want.

Looking for another cool place tucked away?  Try my favorite place in Woodstock GA by clicking here.