The 7 Pinkest Places to Take Insta Worthy Birthday Photos
In Southeast Michigan
Calling All Girls Who Love Pink
If you’re anything like me, you like to take a few cute photos on your birthday and post them on Instagram. There’s no shame in that. I created this list because I was searching for a cute place with some pink decor to snap a few photos for an upcoming birthday, but found that it was actually pretty hard to find these places. So, with a lot of research, determination, and a little travel, I found the 7 pinkest places in Southeast Michigan to take beautiful photos you’ll want to post on Instagram. While you’re there, you can also enjoy some yummy sweets, drinks, and meals. You can even have a birthday brunch, dinner, or party at some of them! So pick out your favorite pink outfit and get ready to smile. You’re going to find the perfect place for photos in this list! Let’s dive in.
#1 Mochi Dough and Bober Tea
Overview:
Go here if your #1 priority is a photo op and you’re just looking to grab some dessert or a boba drink. This is the most Instagrammable pink spot that I have ever seen!
Food:
As the name suggests, this dessert shop specializes in mochi doughnuts. So, what’s a mochi donut? It’s basically a mix between American-style doughnuts and Japanese mochi. Mochi is pretty much just rice. So these doughnuts are known for being made with rice flour, which makes them slightly more chewy than the average doughnut. Don’t let that put you off, though! They don’t taste gross or feel weird at all. Trust me. My biggest pet peeve when it comes to food is the texture. I don’t care if something tastes great; if the texture is weird, I won’t be buying it. And I would definitely buy these doughnuts again. They change out the flavors every week, so you can constantly try different ones.
I went here for my birthday dessert and got a box of 6 doughnuts for $18. My favorite doughnut was the pink strawberry-flavored one, and my favorite drink was the Vietnamese iced coffee. Their drinks come in the cutest cups with bear lids that have little ears.
Photo Ops:
There are pink flowers everywhere! They literally cover the walls and the ceiling.
They have swings! So, snap a pic having fun and get the “thank you very Mochi” neon sign in the background.
Pretend to make the cutest phone call under the “It was all a dream” neon sign.
Take a much-needed photo with pink heart walls that have the cutest sayings.
Get a picture next to or in front of the pink flower walls.
Snap a picture of the gorgeous ceiling covered in flowers.
Relax on the comfy pink seat in front of the “I love you so mochi” neon sign.
And don’t forget to take a picture with the cute bear cups and doughnuts!
Reservations: I don’t think they’re needed unless you want an event there. I haven’t inquired about events, so I would call ahead of time to ask about it.
Parking: There isn’t parking right by this dessert shop, but there are 2 parking lots, only 1 - 2 blocks away, so it’s just a short walk.
Price: $ Not bad at all because they serve drinks and desserts.
Website: https://boberteadearborn.square.site/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mochidoughdearborn/
Location: 22370 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48124
There are also locations in Troy and Novi that I haven’t had the chance to visit yet. I know the Novi location has a hot air balloon theme!
For a full list of locations, go here https://www.mochidoughusa.com/locations
There is a significant presence in California, but they’re in other states as well :)
#2 Lily’s and Elise
Overview:
Go here for tea and a full meal. I actually had my 24th birthday brunch here! This tea house is absolutely beautiful, and I love that you can eat a full meal, and that there are dedicated spaces they designed for the cutest photos. This is one of the few tea houses in Detroit, and it is owned by Kimberly Fisher, who is Michigan’s only black, female tea sommelier. A tea sommelier is a trained professional specializing in tea, similar to a wine sommelier. They possess in-depth knowledge of tea varieties, production, tasting, and pairing with food.
Food:
They specialize in European-style afternoon and high tea. This includes soups, salads, sandwiches, dessert, finger food, and of course, tea.
My favorite soup has been the broccoli potato cheddar soup. The croutons melt in your mouth. My favorite salad is the Lily’s garden salad. I loved the dressing, the subtly sweet croutons, and the fresh tomatoes. I also enjoy the Michigan apple salad. I think the sandwiches are okay. In my opinion, the soups and salads are the stars. They do change soups and salads with the seasons, so depending on when you go, they may or may not have certain ones. There are a few things they always have, like the Lily’s garden salad. Desserts also rotate. The 2 times I’ve gone, desserts have included mini cheesecake bites, macaroons, mini cannolis, creme puffs, and pudding shooters. My favorite dessert was the pudding shooter on my birthday. And there are so many teas to choose from! My favorite was the strawberry guava. It tastes so good with a little bit of sugar. I also enjoyed the rose latte.
Photo Ops:
You can take a great single photo and a group photo in front of the giant pink flower tree. It gives major Bridgerton vibes. Does anyone else think it looks like the gorgeous tree during the introduction song of the series?
Pretend to take a cute phone call in the floral photo booth. Take a few close-ups in there as well.
Be a butterfly in front of the gold butterfly in the hall outside the bathroom.
Take a maybe cliché but much-needed bathroom selfie. Why? The golden swan sink, the floral wallpaper, need I say more?
And don’t forget pictures at the actual table with the 3 tiers that hold the food and desserts! Plus, there are always fresh flowers on the table, and the soup bowls and plates look like pink cherry blossoms. So cute!
Reservations:
You should make a reservation no matter what, especially on the weekends, and most definitely for an event. They have hosted numerous birthdays and bridal showers here. They do take walk-ins, but sometimes the space is completely reserved for an event, so if you are going to walk in without a reservation, check their Instagram story! They typically post when the entire space will be closed to the public for a reserved event, the day of or the night before.
Parking:
There are a few spots right behind the restaurant and a parking lot at the Dollar store right next to it. I’ve parked in both.
Price: $$$$ You will definitely spend over $100 here for a full tea service. It will probably be closer to a $200 total for 2 people to get the full service of 2 soups, 2 salads, 3 mini sandwiches each, 3 pots of 3 different teas, and 3 mini desserts for each person. When you understand that you get all that, and remember that everything is made in-house and fresh, the price makes a lot more sense. This is a spot I would come to for special occasions, knowing that I will spend some money. Not an everyday spot.
Website: https://www.lilysandelise.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilysandelise
Location: 19037 Livernois, Detroit, MI 48221
#3 Sugar’D Bakery
Overview:
Go here if you want a great latte, refresher, sweet treat, or cool custom cake! They also host cake decorating events, which are perfect for girls’ night, date night, birthdays, and bridal showers. The owner, Sarah, is so nice, and in addition to being a talented baker, she’s also a midwife. You go, girl!
Food:
I love that Sugar’D has a wide variety of unique lattes to pick from, such as Twix, Biscoff Cookie Butter, and Banana Bread. They also just started offering mocktails, and they offer small sweets such as cookies and cupcakes. I tried their brown sugar latte and s'mores cookie. Both were perfect.
Photo Ops:
Make a call in the pink photobooth with gorgeous flowers flowing out of it.
Snap a picture in the pink booth in front of the “Turning Sugar Into Art” neon sign.
Capture the gorgeous pink tables with flowers in them.
Don’t forget to show off your cute dessert and drink.
Get photos and videos of yourself decorating a cake at one of their classes.
Take a picture of a custom birthday cake you order, like my crescent moon cake below :) Check out their Instagram to see all the cool cakes that Sarah has made and can make for you. She also does cupcake and cookie orders. Find details and prices here: https://www.sugardbakery.com/custom-orders
Reservations / Events: Sugar’D hosts lots of events! You can find details here: https://www.sugardbakery.com/services-9. I know that they offer bingo nights, junior baking sessions, and adult trivia nights as well. You can also opt for party add-ons, such as making bracelets and decorating sunglasses. Check out some videos on their Instagram to see what cake decorating classes look like. I loved attending a date night decorating class. Our heart cake turned out so cute!
Parking: This bakery is located in a mid-sized strip mall, so there is a large parking lot as well as other stores you can stop into. If you see the large Aquatots, you’re in the right spot.
Price: $ They serve drinks and desserts, so it’s not bad at all.
Website: https://www.sugardbakery.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugar_dbakery
Location: 43347 Joy Rd, Canton Township, MI 48187
#4 House of Chimney Cakes
Overview:
Go here if you want ice cream and a cute dessert that’s picture-perfect! I’ve gone here for a cute Galentines dessert date with a bestie and for birthday treats to celebrate my mom and me.
Food:
So, what is a chimney cake? A Hungarian dessert that looks similar to an ice cream cone. I describe it as a sweet bread with sugar on it. It’s made from sweet yeasted dough and baked into a cylinder shape with a hollow center where you can put ice cream. It’s a little messy to eat, I won’t lie, but the shops give you spoons, napkins, a metal holder, and a cute wrap around the cone. I recommend eating the ice cream and toppings with your spoon first, and then taking the dessert out of the metal holder and holding it in the wrapper, and pushing it up to eat the rest of the cone. Don’t worry, they have bathrooms to wash your hands in. The slight mess is worth the sweet taste in my opinion, and my favorite chimney cakes so far have been the strawberry bomb and the birthday cake ones. They also have milkshakes, the viral Dubai chocolate, and a few other things. They are also halal-friendly and have been known to stay open until 11:00 p.m. on select days during Ramadaan.
Photo Ops:
If visiting the Ann Arbor location, be sure to:
Sit on the swing with pink angel wings and pink flowers.
Snap a picture in a pink booth with flowers and fun neon signs lining the tops.
The actual chimney cake, of course! The birthday one literally has a mini cupcake on it, and they light the birthday candle for you. The pink strawberry ice cream and red strawberry syrup actually matched my dress and blends into it in the 3rd picture below lol.
If visiting the Dearborn location:
The photo corner at the front of the store is known to have pink decor. They’ve also changed it out to incorporate different themes, like Harry Potter. I recommend checking their Instagram to see the latest photo theme.
Reservations: I don’t think they’re needed unless you want an event there. If you’re interested in an event, they have a contact form you can fill out here: https://www.thehouseofchimneycakes.com/contactus
Parking: The Ann Arbor location is in the downtown area, so I would recommend parking in the Fourth and Washington parking structure. The shop is right on the same block. There are a few paid street parking spaces in front of the shop as well.
If you visit the Dearborn location, there is a small parking lot right in front.
Price: $ They serve drinks, desserts, and a few food items, so it’s pretty affordable.
Website: https://www.thehouseofchimneycakes.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofchimneycakesannarbor/
https://www.instagram.com/houseofchimneycakesdbn/
Location: 216 S 4th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
22737 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48124
For more locations, look here: https://www.thehouseofchimneycakes.com/locations
#5 Rose Cafe Detroit inside the Flower Boutique Detroit
Overview:
Go here if you want fresh flowers, a coffee, and a few photos! This cafe is inside a flower shop. This is one of the only places in Michigan where you can get real blue roses! I gifted them to my mom because blue is her favorite color, and she absolutely adored them. They are currently sitting in a vase a year later and stay preserved naturally. They made me a custom bouquet on the spot. They also do a cute combo right around Valentine’s Day, where you can get a coffee and a small flower bouquet in a drink holder. So cute!
Food:
There isn’t a gigantic menu, but there is a decent amount of drinks you can pick from, and each drink comes with a flower taped to it! My favorite is the brown sugar shaken espresso. They also do matchas. There are a few dessert items like cake pops, slices of cake, cookies, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, and Dubai chocolate.
What they lack in a large menu, they make up for with flowers, photos, and gifts. There are plenty of pre-made bouquets you can buy, but you can also ask for a custom bouquet. The flowers are in a huge display case, allowing you to see all the gorgeous options. There are also some novelty gifts like stuffed animals, candles, knick-knacks, and so on.
It’s also awesome that they are halal-friendly.
Photo Ops:
The Barbie wall with the “You can be anything” neon sign.
Photos with their changing theme props. For example, I’ve seen the Eiffel Tower and a kissing booth for Valentine’s Day. I’ve seen a ball pit and beach balls for the summertime, and I’ve seen pink Christmas trees around the holidays. Check their Instagram to stay up to date with the latest decor.
Your cup with the fresh flower! I love the striped roses.
Your bouquet of gorgeous flowers.
Their pink car that is outside with the giant bouquet on top of it.
Their bathroom!!! It has a comic book wall, popcorn mirror, and little fake phones hanging from the ceiling.
Reservations / Events: I don’t think they’re needed unless you want an event there. I haven’t inquired about events, so I would call ahead of time to ask about hosting things like birthday parties.
I do know that they have hosted fun events in the past, like a Barbie movie night, vision board night, permanent jewelry and charms pop-up, book club, and cake decorating! Plus, they have been known to stay open late (until 2 a.m. on the weekends) during Ramadan and will usually advertise this on their Instagram.
Parking: There is a decent-sized parking lot right next to the store.
Price: $$ I think the coffee is a little more expensive, and the bouquets will cost a pretty penny, but the flowers are absolutely worth it in my opinion. For 2 coffees, I paid just over $20, and the bouquets like the 2 in the photo will be around $40 to $60.
Website: No website
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecafedetroit/
Their Instagram is both cute and hilarious in my opinion. They post events, menu items, and decor on here.
Location: 620 N Telegraph Rd, Suite A, Dearborn, MI 48128
#6 Mad Nice
Overview:
Go here if you want to experience a fancy Italian dinner with lots of drink options. While their dinner menu and the portions are on the smaller side, everything tasted super fresh, and the space definitely feels high-end. I went here with my boyfriend for my 25th birthday and really enjoyed it. There are lots of pink touches everywhere, including the chairs, menus, and glasses. Plus, there are lots of big plants everywhere and so many pretty ones above the bar.
Food:
We ordered the mozz and sweet cream for an appetizer, and it was so yummy! The bread was crunchy and sprinkled with sea salt, while the cream that you spread on it was sweet and soft. I loved the textures, contrasts, and taste. I got their spaghetti al pomodoro, which is basically just normal spaghetti with some red sauce, basil, and fresh parmesan cheese grated on top. It didn’t come with any meatballs, but it tasted really fresh, and the noodles weren’t drowning in the sauce. My boyfriend got the egg yolk ravioli. The potato filling in the ravioli was yummy, but the chili flakes had too much of a kick for me. We’re not big drinkers, so we split the Earth mocktail, and it was okay. They have an extensive wine list, though, if you do enjoy drinking! I think it may be bigger than the actual food menu, and our waiter went through it very thoroughly to explain the different kinds of drink options, which was nice.
They also have an open kitchen with a pretty pink awning over it that you can see into, which I thought was neat. Plus, there’s a Mad Nice cafe you can visit upstairs that offers coffee and pastries. And there is even a Mad Nice shop where you can buy branded merchandise. All of the waiters and waitresses look very pristine in their white uniforms, and all of the management looks very fancy in suits.
I would like to go back to try the cafe and one of their pizzas for dinner. If you order a pizza, they give you the cutest scissors to cut it!
Photo Ops:
There are 2 beautiful pink flower plants that scale the walls in the square lobby entrance! These are great for single or date photos.
The tablescapes are beautiful with pink menus, glasses, plates, and coasters. If you tell them it is your birthday in the reservation, they’ll give you a card you can include in this photo, too.
The food! You’re going to pay a pretty penny for it, so you might as well capture its beauty.
The seating. If you go with a big enough group, you can sit in a huge pink plushy booth with a gorgeous lantern over it.
Reservations: Highly recommend! This is a high-end place, so I wouldn’t risk just walking in for fear they might not have any room. My boyfriend had to wait for the month of August to start before he could book an actual reservation later that month. So, if you can’t make a reservation, don’t panic! It might be because you have to wait for the actual month that you want to attend to start.
Parking: I’m not going to lie, it’s tricky. There is no dedicated parking lot. We ended up parking on the street in front of it and just walked a little bit. They do offer a $15 valet service at 2nd Avenue, in front of the restaurant.
Price: $$$ Be prepared to pay for the fancy vibe. My spaghetti was $26, my boyfriend’s ravioli was $34, and our appetizer was $19.
Website: https://madnicedetroit.com/menu/dinner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madnicedetroit/
Location: 4120 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
#7 Be Fruity By Ava
Overview:
Go here if you want flower swings and a healthy, fruity treat! They also have a few games you can play with friends. I would honestly go back just for the peaceful vibes. I think sipping a smoothie on a swing near the window and working on my laptop would be heaven.
They’re actually in the same space as another restaurant, Bowl Appetit, which offers a variety of food bowls and wraps that feature things like chicken, steak, salmon, shrimp, and veggies. Both places have their own seating and vibes. If you want a healthy, full meal, it’s easy to go from one to the other for food and a fruity drink. You don’t even have to step outside!
Food:
Try smoothies, acai bowls, lattes, refreshers, juice, and more. The names of the refreshers and lattes are so cute. I’ve only been in once, so I can’t name a favorite yet, but I know this cafe prides itself on healthy, yummy, and fresh ingredients.
Photo Ops:
There are 2 booths with swings wrapped in pink flowers where you can sit across from your bestie or date and sip on a fruity drink.
Or enjoy a window view on one of the 4 swings wrapped in fake vines.
Snap a picture of the flowers under the glass domes that sit on the normal tables. They give Beauty and the Beast vibes and make me think of the red rose from the movie.
The flowers hanging from the ceiling.
Your colorful acai bowl or drink!
Reservations: Not needed. I haven’t seen any events hosted here, so I would inquire if you want to have an event there.
Parking: There is a small parking lot right in front of the store. Fun fact: this cafe is actually just a few doors down from the House of Chimney Cakes Dearborn location. They share the same parking lot.
Price: $ I think the drinks are slightly more expensive than average, but I think that’s because of the high quality, fresh ingredients. Since they mostly serve drinks, they are very affordable.
Website: https://beefruitybyava.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beefruitybyava
https://www.instagram.com/bowlapetit/
Location: 22731 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48124
#8 Honorable Mention: The Stray Hen Cafe Ann Arbor
Overview:
Go here for brunch, a flower wall, and some funky art. This restaurant is an honorable mention because the place isn’t specifically pink, but it is still covered in very pretty and colorful flowers and features a white flower wall that is great for photos.
Food:
I went out to brunch with my mom here. We both got the $15 waffle flight combo that comes with the cutest 4 mini waffles. One has strawberries, one has blueberries, one comes with chopped up bananas and Nutella, and the other comes with chopped up green apples and cookie butter. You get a little pot of syrup and some whipped cream, too. My favorite was the banana Nutella! I also got the Mexican hot chocolate, and it smelled so good and wasn’t spicy at all.
Photo Ops:
Take a picture with your mom in front of the white rose floor wall and pink neon sign that says, “Mom, please send money.” It’s a fitting sign since the restaurant is right on U of M’s campus, and that’s probably a common phrase or thought a lot of students say and think.
Stand next to your table and capture the gorgeous flowers hanging from the ceiling.
Snap a photo of some of the funny Victorian art on the walls where fancy-dressed up people have pencil mustaches or are spray-painted.
And don’t forget to take a picture of the cute, yummy food!
Reservations: They actually don’t accept reservations, so expect to wait 30 minutes to 1 hour. My mom and I ended up waiting an hour, but we thought the food and atmosphere were worth it.
Parking: This restaurant is in downtown Ann Arbor, so I would recommend the Republic parking garage structure since it’s only about a 2-minute walk away on the same street. If you don’t mind walking a little further, like 2 or 3 blocks, you can also park at the Maynard parking structure.
Price: $ I think they are very affordable and have normal pricing for breakfast, lunch, and brunch foods. The waffle flight combo was $15.
Website: https://www.theheneats.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehenannarbor/
Location: 403 E Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
There is one other location in Elmhurst, Illinois.
Pick Your Favorite Place, Get Dressed Up, & Snap Some Photos!
You’ve reached the end of my list. I hope you found a few places that you can’t wait to visit and take photos at! Do you have a favorite? Do you know of other pink places? I would love to know in the comments below!
For more fun places to visit and things to do on your birthday, check out my other blogs and my DIY party guides.
Love,
Selena
