Friction and wear are considered as one of the major issues for engineering applications where surface interactions exist. Textured surface with modified surface functionalities as well as lubrication condition will greatly affect the tribological performance. In this work, laser-based surface treatment methods were developed to modify the physicochemical properties of the textured surfaces. The surface microstructure, contact angle, chemical composition and tribological performance under different lubrication conditions of the fabricate surfaces were evaluated and analyzed. The experimental results indicate that the surfaces fabricated by laser texturing combined with chemical immersion or long-time storage in air obtain distinct superhydrophobicity, and the superhydrophobic surfaces render significantly reduced friction coefficient in both starved-water or starved-oil environments. It is believed that the surface texture, wettability and chemistry have combined effects on the tribological performance, which can facilitate the formation of a relative thicker lubricant film on the friction zone, and thus the effective contact area between the friction ball and the surface is reduced. This work is expected to provide effective methods to design and fabricate textured surfaces with different surface properties aiming to enhance the tribological performance, thus benefiting various industrial sectors that have strong demand for anti-friction surface. Display omitted •Facile laser-based treatment methods were developed to alter surface properties.•Laser-induced superhydrophobic surface exhibits reduced friction coefficient.•Superhydrophobic surface renders lower friction coefficient with water lubrication.•The underlying mechanism for friction coefficient reduction is investigated.•This work can provide useful guidance for fabrication of anti-friction surface.