A very tough review to make. I am a certified barista. I’ve been working in the coffee for the last 8 years. I sell coffee every day. But I’d never had a such an extraordinary experience within the coffee business. Joachim takes the experience to a holistic level. Not only he understands every step he does but he is very wise in the way he shares that knowledge. If you like coffee go to Substance. If you don’t, go to Substance too. You’ll fall in love with coffee. Thanks Joachim. I’ll be back often.

The most unique coffee experience I’ve ever had! Coffee lovers must go here! You need to book a place, but there’s plenty of spaces. The cafe feels more like you’ve been invited into someone’s house - it is intimate and easy to strike up conversations with others around the serving table. The coffee here is outstanding. Everything is fully explained by Joaquin in a very understandable manner. He explains to you what he’s done and how he has done it. The result it amazing. Never tasted coffee like his before in my life! Must visit for any lovers of coffee.

I’ve known this café for quite some time, but kept postponing the visit because I’m one of those people who go to cafés for drinks and snacks and to “work.” This café was not made for that. Thanks to a friend who requested that I show him a nice coffee place in Paris, I finally had a chance to check this place out. The verdict: yeah, it was as good as all of these comments said. About the coffee, I don’t think I need to say much. You just have to try it for yourself. How can I explain coffee with a note of blueberry or cheesecake to you? Coffee aside, I truly admire the ambiance the café brews. No matter where you sit, even if you’re a solo visitor, you’ll be able to see everyone, make eye contact, listen, observe, and immerse. You can listen to the owner explain the same things to different customers over and over again and it’s still somehow pleasant. How nice!

There are coffee shops, and then there is Substance coffee. If you are a coffee lover, there's nothing quite like this. Ordering is a conversation, and a learning experience, and the coffee; oh the coffee! Balanced, sweet, precise and most importantly, delicious. Upon Joachim's recommendation, I started with a machiatto of the coffee of the day and then moved on to an Ethiopian Gesha prepared as a double espresso. I've never had coffees that were a more accurate and focused representation of their intended profiles. Simple amazing! Highly recommend a visit for anyone who is a fan of specialty coffee, I'll certainly be back on my next trip to Paris.

A really great experience. Joachim is full of knowledge and passion and is happy to share it with you. We had 2 espresso, a filter and macchiato made with frozen milk which was exceptional and surprising. Will happily visit again next time we’re in Paris. Beans can be bought too and you need to book a time slot to get a seat

Came here three times to try filtered, espresso, and flat white. It is definitely an experience. Kept running into a family of three who stopped by around the same time each day they were visiting too. You get to learn so much about how to taste each type of coffee, sample through different temperatures, etc. I would come back everyday to try every speciality coffee available here if I could!

Incredible experience. Came here for a taste, ended up spending hours enjoying coffee and talking with the fellow patrons. A coffee lover's paradise. Try his espressos even if you are more of a filter person, they are very unique - "concentrated filter" vibe, in his words.

A MUST GO for ANY coffee aficionado ! The owner is so lovely and energetic making everyone from anywhere in the world feel at home and comfortable, not rushed to order super home-like atmosphere and chill vibes Would return here weekly if I lived in Paris and you’ll really appreciate the process of you book online ahead (7 days in advance it opens) for the full experience we did 2 hours and it flew by!

This is a truly phenomenal coffee experience! Joachim is endlessly knowledgeable about his craft. He is an extremely pleasant and fun host, and we loved the coffee and the atmosphere so much that we went two days in a row! As someone who doesn't even drink coffee, I found myself in love with his concoctions! He is vastly talented and gives you an amazing yet affordable experience. This is place is a must on our next trip to Paris!

What a truly uniqe experience. They are only open pr reservation - but we managed to get in due to a sudden opening. This is a must-go for all coffee people. Super friendly and a proper coffee geek ,👍👍👍

If I had to define the place it would be: An experience that you have to live. It's not just a coffee shop where you can grab a cup of joe; you'll also gain a wealth of knowledge about coffee, including how to taste and serve it. Immerse yourself in the experience and set aside a few hours to fully enjoy it; trust me, time flies by when you're there. Although there may be a wait, it's definitely worth it.

OMG YES This is what coffee is about. Competition grade coffees. Great atmosphere, truly a coffee bar. A little on the expensive side but worth it. I expiernced a few different coffees, some expiermental. Sweetest Expresso I have ever experienced. The owner is the roaster and barista. He spent a lot of time talking about the coffees and the process he uses. Fantastic unique experience. I highly recommend.

I travel for a living and it feels like I basically go from coffee shop to coffee shop. I’ve been to them all over the world and Substance is on a different level. All the reviews are accurate. If you have time for one coffee experience in Europe this would be my recommendation. Thanks Jo and Alex for all you do!

AMAZING competition grade coffee. Definitely not your average cafe. Joachim and Alex work tirelessly to provide customers with an elevated, interactive experience, regardless of their knowledge of coffee. 150% recommend visiting if you love coffee!

Fantastic place that in such form is completely unique. A bar with 15 seats, around the coffee equipment a bit like a traditional ramen shop. They put the view and such the focus on what Joachim and Alex hold dear: sharing the joy of excellent coffee with people. It is like the mecca of specialty coffee, where you walk in and can meet people competing in all kinds of competitions around the world, with insights and their techniques. If you're ever in Paris and a bit interested in good coffee, drop by! Hope to see you there because I definitely plan to come again.

Absolutely amazing. This place serves the best coffee I've ever tasted, it's totally worth a visit. Joaquim and Alex have coffee at the heart of their passion, and there are both specials and current varieties to choose from. The decorations are modern and nice. Avoiding rush hours may be a good idea.

Joachim Morceau, the only roaster and barista in this place, put up a one-man show for his guests. It's really entertaining to watch and talk to him. If you plan to have omakase, be sure to spare at least two hours with him to fully enjoy the experience. The place does not provide takeout or serve coffee with sugar or pastries. We had espresso as well as pour over. They were excellent. Small batch coffee roasting with the Loring S7. The coffee beans will then be blast-frozen to maintain quality. They also sell coffee beans, equipment, and accessories for home brewing.

Outstanding. Not just delicious coffee but the most personalized cup of coffee I've ever had anywhere in the world and I love my coffee. I enjoyed the Ethiopian Geisha listed on the board as a recommendation and later I had a double espresso. Top notch. The owner's stated goal is not to grow too much or too big but to be able to focus on quality. And he knows what he's doing from his roasts to his craftsmanship.

Substance Cafe is a sushi bar style coffee shop that is incredibly unique and amazing. It is quintessential Paris and unlike anything you will find elsewhere in the world. The owner tends the bar and serves up a mix of classic coffees (pour overs) and coffee with milk combinations (flat white, etc.). I got the flat white and it was really, really good. Part of the experience is the owners passion for coffee. He loves coffee and building an environment where people can connect via the bar. Like a master sushi chef in the coffee space, he crafts beautiful coffees of which he roasts his own beans. Highly recommend to someone wanting a unique and delicious experience. Do note: there are no syrups, no sugars, etc. it’s just pure, beautiful coffee and coffee + steamed milk.

Substance Cafe is on my list for a while, this time I finally got a chance. It’s the most special coffee experience so far. Definitely deserves 5 stars! Joachim makes coffee with his full passion. Don’t worry if you don’t have enough knowledge about “coffee”, he’ll answer all the questions you have. He will also follow your taste and choice of coffee. After the first visit, I decided to go back in a week and to have more unforgettable coffee memories with him. I tried espresso, filter, macchiato. All the coffee here has highest quality. I love the natural smell and taste of the coffee, without bitterness, very few sourness. And I highly recommend if you like coffee with milk, macchiato here is a must try! So sweet, so smooth. Perfect taste. I’ll for sure go back!

For any coffee lovers this is a must experience. We loved speaking with the owner/barista, he shared so many interesting facts about coffee and was also kind enough to answer questions. He is attentive to what you like and brews according to your taste. I will be returning here for sure.

When I first saw 500+ reviews with 5 star average, I was skeptical whether such a thing was possible, but rating this place 5 stars, really doesn't do this place justice. This is an incredibly unique and special experience and I've never before felt more compelled to leave a positive review and try to convey how much this is a must-do in Paris! The best I can do is say is that incredible coffee is only the tip of the iceberg. Joachim's passion is incredibly genuine, inspiring and really infectious. His knowledge is unparalleled and is able to quickly understand your taste and give you options that really deliver. Just Go!

I learnt about this place when I watched a YouTube video about it about 2 years ago and thought to myself that this is the real deal when you think about a coffee place. So I came in with a ton of expectations and I can say that I was fully blown away by the whole experience. And I say experience because it is more than just going for an amazing coffee, you get to know exactly what you're drinking, the technique behind how it's made and get to chat about all the other coffee geek aspects of it. I can say without a doubt that this was the best coffee experience that I ever had.

A must go for every coffee lover. It’s a great experience overall!

Had the most amazing coffee experience here with Joachim. From perfectly balanced filter coffee to cheesecake like Macchiato to the most complex and flavorful expresso alongside his detailed explanation and sharing. Definitely the best coffee I’ve had and would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a serious cup of coffee!

Outstanding one-of-a-kind experience. Joachim is the most knowledgeable, border-line scientific barista I have ever met, and I was almost shocked by how much he knew, even as a barista myself. The place has a counter with roughly 15 chairs, no music nor food, so that all customers may enjoy and exchange with each other, all the while Joachim explains everything in a masterclass-like style whilst making funny jokes. Joachim first walks each of his customers through their tastes/preferences and then offers them the best coffee possible for their taste. I myself started off with two v60 methods, and I think I can easily say that they were the two best filter coffees I have had yet, they had unique, rare and sophisticated flavours that were both surprising and ravishing (jasmin+viola, lime, red fruit, tomato-like, oolong tea). I also enjoyed a double espresso, and despite having diverged from the drink previously, I was taken aback when the 1931 gesha he gave me tasted like a concentrated explosion of subtle red-fruit like flavours. In two wonderful hours of my time, I learned so much about coffee, enjoyed the best coffee I ever had brewed in the best possible way by the most professional barista I have yet seen. To anyone who wants the ultimate coffee experience, taste coffee at its best and wants to taste the coolest coffees ever, I reccomend this more than any other place!

This coffee shop, which is actually more of a coffee tasting lounge, offers a unique experience where Joachim will take the time to go through his meticulous coffee selection and brewing process with you. The shop is designed in a way that helps showcase the brewing process to all customers at once and encourages customer interaction. I highly recommend this place to anyone who would like to learn more about coffee regardless of their knowledge level. Both the open-minded complete newcomer and the veteran professional barista can gain something unique from this experience.

The best coffee place I've ever been in Europe! Amazing experience which you've never had. Interesting explanations, very pleasant time.

The best coffee of my life. Substance is more of an experience than a cafe. Make sure to book reservations up to 7 days in advance!

An incredible experience for specialty coffee lovers. Definitely recommend.

Perfect coffee, concept and barista

Open during the third lockdown only for coffee and tea accessories and grind coffee. No take away beverage for the moment staff super friendly 👍👍

one of the best coffee shop in paris. they served great quality of coffee. the experience also unique. the coffee brewed right in front of you. they also roasted their beans in the shop.

Really amazing café tucked away in a quiet street in central Paris. We really enjoyed our visit and the hospitality provided was top notch plus great variety of very high quality coffees prepared with attention to the smallest detail. This place is certainly special and driven by passion and motivation that deserves admiration. Well done. Easy 5 stars! We will be back again!

Simply the best experimental coffee bar in town. Don’t think this is your regular coffee shop where you’ll get your usual latte & cookie. This is a coffee place! One of the best coffee roaster & barista, Joachim, will introduce you to the world of Competition grade coffee!

Amazing coffee shop. Unique concept. Sushi-bar like place. Where barista and customers can share a unique experience. If you never heard about specialty coffee, go and enjoy what real beans are. All are SCA 88+. Be ready to open a door to a new amazing world.

This review is a prophecy. A glimpse into the future, with the utmost confidence in what will occur. I haven't been to Substance Cafe... yet! I will be in Paris for Christmas, and I will definitely grab a coffee in this awesome establishment. I love everything I see about this so far - the passion you have for coffee is contagious, the knowledge you possess is deep and drives curiosity, the experience you grant is a journey through the bean-alchemy that happens between roasting, grinding, brewing and tasting. I have no doubt my experience will be epic, and to save some time writing this review in December I decided to post it now. 5 stars, fully deserved. You can only go down from here 😜 See you soon, Lev

The best coffee space that I know of in the world. Joachim is creating an amazing experience for each customer and offers some of the best beans in the world. Also the most consistent coffee place that I know of. I trust a handful of places with espresso and he gets it right every time. This cafe is a must visit if you like coffee and Joachim is a role model of service and excellence.

I’m not a coffee lover. But I would come back here just because you can’t experience this anywhere else. Also, how many places can you go to access such a wide selection of crazy (amazing) coffees..? Even as a novice, I could taste how well it was all made. Joachim is undoubtedly a key ingredient to the many enjoyable cups of coffee we got to taste. It’s too difficile to describe best to try for yourself to understand.

Amazing coffee with a friendly barista. Loved to try several specialty coffees and felt his enthusiasm in coffee. Absolutely will visit again :)

This is my favorite cafe In the world. The barista is passionate, takes his time explain the process, and creates a welcoming environment. The flat white and espresso I had here are the best I’ve ever had. Visiting this cafe a must for anyone who either enjoys coffee or wants to experience competition-grade coffee in a friendly and non-judgmental environment.

Slow coffee, the way it should be. No takeaway available, if you don’t have time to sit, relax, breathe and soak in the experience, don’t come here! The French owner/roaster/barista is fluent in English and is both very friendly and deeply passionate. Come for the brown liquid gold; stay for the coffee education and warm conversation!

If you enjoy good coffee, you must RUN to this establishment. The quality is comparable to going to an incredible winery with a top, top sommelier…this is what Joachim (owner / barista / mastermind ) does for coffee but in the most warm and welcoming way. You will be able to taste and savor the coffee to the fullest. It’s all about the beans - no takeaway, no sugar. There is a coffee of the day as well as a number of specialty beans from around the world. The filter is outstanding. The macchiato with the specially frozen ‘magical’ milk is out of this world. If you like iced coffee, go for the cascara (so unique and refreshing). I went 3 times during my stay in Paris and only wish it could have been more! You can even do an omakase coffee tasting where you tell Joachim how many hours you have and how much you want to spend - and he handles the rest of the journey! Of course the coffee is superb, but Joachim takes it to another level. He is so knowledgeable, passionate, kind and full of only good energy. Simply the best coffee experience of my life!

A coffee heaven made even better by the passion of the owner ,super chatty, with a flair for making you want more of the coffee. Best ambiance I have experienced in Paris as the patrons are super friendly and happy for a chat. Can’t compliment the space and coffee enough!!