China Lantern Has Reopened in New Bedford

A vacant New Bedford property has reopened as a restaurant featuring a robot server.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A modern metallic service robot glides across polished hardwood floors in a bright, clean, and empty restaurant dining room. — The China Lantern restaurant has officially reopened in New Bedford after a 17-year vacancy, marking the introduction of automated robotic service to the local dining scene. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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After sitting vacant for 17 years, the China Lantern restaurant has officially reopened in New Bedford. The venue now features modern service technology, including a robot server named Ling Ling.

Why it matters

The restoration of the building revitalizes a long-dormant property and introduces automated dining technology to the city. This opening represents the latest expansion for owner Ying Zhao.

Owner Ying Zhao currently operates three existing Ying Dynasty restaurant locations. The China Lantern building remained empty for 17 years before undergoing a two-year renovation process.

The players

Ying Zhao

Ying Zhao is a local restaurateur who owns the China Lantern and three additional Ying Dynasty locations.

The details

Owner Ying Zhao, who has owned the building for more than a decade, spearheaded the extensive renovation efforts to bring the space back to life. Customers can now interact with Ling Ling, a robot server tasked with delivering food to diners.

The restaurant building sat vacant starting in 2009.
Renovations for the property began in 2024.
The restaurant held a soft opening in early September 2026.
The restaurant experienced a high volume of phone calls on September 16, 2026.

Market Landscape

The integration of robot servers like Ling Ling reflects a broader industry shift toward automation to manage labor and improve service efficiency. This move positions Zhao's new establishment to compete with modern dining standards across the region.

Local diners can now experience automated service, which may change expectations for meal delivery speed and interaction in the city. The reopening also provides a new dining option for residents following nearly two decades of vacancy.

The takeaway

The transformation of a long-vacant building highlights how owners can leverage modern technology to revitalize historic properties. Integrating tools like robot servers allows businesses to offer a novel experience while modernizing service workflows.