Need data API with GraphQL and REST

Absolutely — if you need a data API that supports both GraphQL and REST, there are a few solid ways to design it depending on your stack and goals.

Common approaches

1) One backend, two API interfaces

Build a single service layer and expose:

• REST endpoints for simple CRUD and legacy clients
• GraphQL endpoint for flexible querying and aggregations

This is usually the best option if you want one source of truth for business logic.

2) REST-first with GraphQL gateway

Keep your existing REST API, then add a GraphQL layer on top that calls the REST services internally.

Good if:

• you already have REST APIs
• you want to add GraphQL without rewriting everything

3) GraphQL-first with REST compatibility

Design your core data layer around GraphQL, and expose selected REST endpoints for common operations, webhooks, or third-party integrations.

Good if:

• clients need flexible data fetching
• you still need REST for external integrations

Typical architecture

• Database
• Service layer for business logic
• REST controllers
• GraphQL resolvers
• Auth layer shared by both
• Validation / permissions shared by both

Suggested stack options

Depending on language/framework:

• Node.js
  • REST: Express / Fastify / NestJS
  • GraphQL: Apollo Server / GraphQL Yoga / NestJS GraphQL
• Python
  • REST: FastAPI / Django REST Framework
  • GraphQL: Strawberry / Ariadne / Graphene
• Java
  • REST: Spring Boot
  • GraphQL: Spring for GraphQL
• .NET
  • REST: ASP.NET Core Web API
  • GraphQL: Hot Chocolate

Design tips

• Keep business logic out of controllers/resolvers
• Use the same service layer for both REST and GraphQL
• Avoid duplicate data fetching logic
• Add pagination, filtering, and auth consistently
• Consider rate limiting and query complexity limits for GraphQL

Example API shape

REST

• GET /users
• GET /users/{id}
• POST /users
• PATCH /users/{id}

GraphQL

type Query {
  users(limit: Int, offset: Int): [User!]!
  user(id: ID!): User
}

If you want the fastest path

If you're starting fresh, a practical choice is:

• FastAPI + Strawberry for Python
• NestJS for Node.js
• Spring Boot + Spring for GraphQL for Java

If you want, I can help you with one of these next:

1. a full API design
2. a sample codebase
3. a schema + REST endpoint plan
4. a recommendation for your stack