Pd or Pt promoted CeO2–ZrO2-supported Ni catalysts exhibited superior catalytic activity to the hitherto known Ni catalysts for liquid-phase hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde at moderate conditions. Under similar experimental conditions, the unpromoted catalyst was selective for hydrocinnamaldehyde product (C=C hydrogenation) whereas the promoted catalyst yielded 3-phenyl propanol (C=C and C=O hydrogenation product). Enhanced dispersion of Ni was the cause for higher activity of the promoted Ni catalysts. Ni/CeO2–ZrO2 promoted with Pd/Pt showed high catalytic activity for liquid phase hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde. The activity of these catalysts is superior to the hitherto known Ni catalysts.