Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (HBMSCs) are regarded as an important resource in the field of maxillofacial bone regeneration because of their favorable properties when compared with other stem cells. Hence, finding suitable materials that could extend the application of HBMSCs has become an emerging medical topic and socioeconomic problem. In this work, polydopamine (PDA)-Ag surface was fabricated by PDA assisted photoreduction method, and the obtained PDA-Ag composite surface significantly promoted HBMSCs adhesion and proliferation. This effect is highly related to the amount of Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) present on the PDA surface. The behavior of HBMSCs on PDA-Ag surface could be spatially manipulated by controlling the distribution of Ag NPs on PDA surface (by controlling UV light). The general adhesion property allows the PDA-Ag surface to be fabricated on various substrates, making it a simple, general and controllable method for the fabrication of bioactive surface for HBMSCs.