Some restaurants like to limit the quantity of their daily offerings to create a sense of exclusivity and attract curious patrons. But lately, some restaurants have been taking this approach to a whole new level by physically limiting the size of the restaurant itself.

The achingly stylish robatayaki joint Robata Zawa Zawa (LG/F, 41 Wyndham Street, Central, 2536-9898)—designed by the same Shigeru Sato whose Gonpachi Nishi Azabu restaurant in Tokyo inspired the set for “Kill Bill”—maxes out at a mere 14 patrons.

Inevitably, the restaurant seems that much more inaccessible, and thus desirable. Tantalizingly quirky fine dine gastronomie extraordinaire (a.k.a. g.e, 2/F, The Luxe Manor, 39 Kimberley Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 3763-8803) is even more exclusive, with a dining room that seats a modest 12 (not counting private function rooms that come with a minimum charge). Headed by chef Gianluigi Bonelli, g.e is the city’s first “progressive dining” establishment, and each dish is created with spontaneity as the key element.

Since opening with a bang at the end of the previous year, Butao King (11-12 Wo On Lane, Central, 2530-0600) not only has a cap on the bowls of noodles it sells each day, but also on the number of people that can sit down on its wooden stools to enjoy them at any given time—the seat limit here is 15, no more, no less. It is definitely not the type of restaurant to bring a large group to, and if queuing isn’t your cup of tea, you can pretty much forget about coming here.

Finally, Italian venue Kitchen M (Shop 122, K11 Art Mall, 18 Hanoi Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2736-1832) makes itself exclusive by being hard to find (it’s hidden at the back of a sports shop) and cozy (read: TINY) in space. Blink, and you’ll miss it.