Inspired by mussels, a novel superhydrophobic composite fabric with photothermal antibacterial and self-cleaning properties was prepared by polydopamine induced growth of ZIF-8 nanocrystals (PZIF-8) and subsequent modification with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The composite fabric showed self-cleaning property with a water contact angle (WCA) of 153.1° and excellent photothermal antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. Polydopamine acts as an adhesive and photothermal agent (PTA), which can bind ZIF-8 nanocrystals on cotton fabric firmly and kill E. coli and S. aureus synergistically with ZIF-8. The composite fabric can withstand five cycles of laundering and 100 cm of friction without obvious WCA decline. Consequently, the durable multifunctional composite fabric may have great potential in medical protection applications.