Graphene was successfully modified with gold nanoparticles in a facile route by reducing chloroauric acid in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, which is used as both a surfactant and reducing agent. The gold nanoparticles–graphene hybrids were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and energy X-ray spectroscopy. We demonstrate for the first time that the gold nanoparticles–graphene hybrids can act as efficient catalysts for the Suzuki reaction in water under aerobic conditions. The catalytic activity of gold nanoparticles–graphene hybrids was influenced by the size of the gold nanoparticles.