A zeolite@metal–organic framework (ZSM-5@UiO-66) core–shell composite has been synthesized for the first time by solvothermal growth of UiO-66 on the surface of ZSM-5 particles. The acidity from ZSM-5 and the basicity from the amine groups in UiO-66 obtained by post-synthetic modification of the metal clusters, endow a bifunctionality on ZSM-5@UiO-66 for cascade reactions.