Metal organic frameworks (MOFs), as a popular porous coordination polymer material, has the advantages of controllable synthesis process, high specific surface area, high porosity and so on. In recent years, MOFs has been widely used in adsorption, separation, sensing, catalysis, environmental energy and other fields. However, due to its weak conductivity, poor stability, and limited charge transfer, its practical application is often limited. Quantum dots (QDs), a semiconductor nanocrystalline material with excellent size tunability and fascinating electronic properties, are widely used in biosensing and photocatalysis. However, they have the disadvantages of poor luminescence stability and easy aggregation. The construction of metal–organic framework and quantum dot composites (MOF@QDs) is expected to address the shortcomings of single materials through synergistic interactions and promote further development in more research areas. In this review, we mainly discuss the main synthesis strategies and characterization methods of MOF@QDs composite materials, and summarize the latest research progress in different research directions. Finally, we provide an outlook on the challenges and issues of MOF@QDs still facing. It is hoped that this article will be of help to relevant research workers.