A 12 % Ni@Al2O3 catalyst was synthesized by using an inverse microemulsion technique and evaluated for the dry reforming of methane (DRM). We used TEM to reveal that the core–shell structure was formed successfully in the 12 % Ni@Al2O3 catalyst, in which the Ni nanoparticle cores with an average grain size around 10 nm are encapsulated by mesoporous Al2O3 shells. In comparison with a 12 % Ni/Al2O3 catalyst prepared by an impregnation method, much smaller Ni grain sizes and higher metallic Ni active surface areas can be achieved in the core–shell catalyst, which was evidenced by using TEM and H2 adsorption–desorption analysis. In addition, a larger amount of active oxygen species was formed on the surface of 12 % Ni@Al2O3 than on 12 % Ni/Al2O3. Importantly, the formation of the core–shell structure in 12 % Ni@Al2O3 can effectively impede the migration of the Ni active species at elevated temperatures, which prevents agglomeration. Consequently, the 12 % Ni@Al2O3 core–shell catalyst shows a remarkable activity and stability and a potent coke resistance during a 50 h durability evaluation at 800 °C for DRM. It is believed that the core–shell structure is the major factor that accounts for the superior DRM performance over that of the 12 % Ni@Al2O3 catalyst, which might open a new way for the design and development of improved catalysts for DRM for hydrogen production.