Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are potentially the most efficient technology for direct conversion of hydrocarbons to electricity. While their commercial viability is greatest at operating temperatures of 300–500 °C, it is extremely difficult to run SOFCs on methane at these temperatures, where oxygen reduction and C–H activation are notoriously sluggish. Here we report a robust SOFC that enabled direct utilization of nearly dry methane (with ~3.5% H₂O) at 500 °C (achieving a peak power density of 0.37 W cm⁻²) with no evidence of coking after ~550 h operation. The cell consists of a PrBa_0.5Sr_0.5Co_1.5Fe_0.5O_5+δ nanofibre-based cathode and a BaZr_0.1Ce_0.7Y_0.1Yb_0.1O_3–δ-based multifunctional anode coated with Ce_0.90Ni_0.05Ru_0.05O₂ (CNR) catalyst for reforming of CH₄ to H₂ and CO. The high activity and coking resistance of the CNR is attributed to a synergistic effect of cationic Ni and Ru sites anchored on the CNR surface, as confirmed by in situ/operando experiments and computations.