A little hole-in-the-wall establishment that has garnered a lot of attention recently, The Little Oven offers a delightful array of desserts alongside great coffee and specialty beverages. Located on King Street between Keeaumoku and Kaheka streets, this hidden gem is a must visit for anyone with a sweet tooth.

My first impression of the Little Oven was that of a dessert shop in Japan. All of the dishes are small in portion, but very delicately prepared and full of subtle flavors. Each dish comes to your table as a work of art having been beautifully accented and garnished with seasonal fruits. I have yet to order anything from the Little Oven that wasn’t as much a pleasure for my taste buds as my eyes.

Space is at a premium at the Little Oven, with only seating room for about 25 people at any one time. The shop opens from 7:00PM each night to serve walk in guests, as the staff of the Little Oven is busy during the day preparing special ordered cakes and other desserts. If you plan to stop by the Little Oven for an evening treat, I would recommend going as soon as they open.

After being seated and admiring the contemporary style of the dining area, I ordered a cup of hot coffee. The coffee at the Little Oven is quite good, which one might expect from a dessert shop. I dined at the Little Oven tonight with my family, so we had a variety of dishes brought to the table. The Little Oven’s nightly menu tends to change throughout the week, with a few fixtures. Each visit provides new tasting experiences!

Banana Split

Little Oven’s take on a classic dessert, the Banana Split features exceptionally fresh fruit and quality ice cream. This interpretation of the classic does not disappoint.

Peach Cobbler

The peach cobbler is an item I haven’t seen previously on the menu. The cobbler was brought to the table and was immediately appealing from its presentation. The cobbler was warm and rich with the perfect amount of sweetness accented by the tart fruit garnishes.

Clamansi Tart

A special item on tonight’s menu, the calamansi tart posed for us a few questions. Turns out that calamansi is a type of citrus fruit that looks very much like a lime, lemon, or orange depending on what stage of the ripening process you find it. The calamansi was a welcomed change from your typical lemon or lime tart. The tart dessert was creamy with a flaky crust and the perfect amount of sour bite.

Ume Kanten

The ume kanten, one of the most commonly available items on the menu, is my personal favorite. Really nothing more than a mixture of wonderfully fresh fruits and mochi balls, the ume kanten is a delightfully light and refreshing dessert. As you dig down deeper into the glass you begin to feel the combination of sweet and tart fruits along with the soft mochi.

Final thoughts: Although I have only been introduced to this wonderful little establishment just recently, I can easily say that it is fast becoming one of my favorite spots. The desserts offered at the Little Oven are reminiscent of my dining experiences in Japan. The level of expertise and care that goes into each dessert is readily apparent from the time you see them come to your table. The flavors are all well thought out in combination and delicately prepared. I would recommend the Little Oven to anyone who is a fan of dessert!

The Little Oven
1467 South King Street, Unit 1-A Honolulu, HI 96814
Phone: 808.947.6836