Django REST Framework: adding additional field to ModelSerializer

I think SerializerMethodField is what you're looking for:

class FooSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
  my_field = serializers.SerializerMethodField('is_named_bar')

  def is_named_bar(self, foo):
      return foo.name == "bar" 

  class Meta:
    model = Foo
    fields = ('id', 'name', 'my_field')

http://www.django-rest-framework.org/api-guide/fields/#serializermethodfield

With the last version of Django Rest Framework, you need to create a method in your model with the name of the field you want to add. No need for @property and source='field' raise an error.

class Foo(models.Model):
    . . .
    def foo(self):
        return 'stuff'
    . . .

class FooSerializer(ModelSerializer):
    foo = serializers.ReadOnlyField()

    class Meta:
        model = Foo
        fields = ('foo',)

You can change your model method to property and use it in serializer with this approach.

class Foo(models.Model):
    . . .
    @property
    def my_field(self):
        return stuff
    . . .

class FooSerializer(ModelSerializer):
    my_field = serializers.ReadOnlyField(source='my_field')

    class Meta:
        model = Foo
        fields = ('my_field',)

Edit: With recent versions of rest framework (I tried 3.3.3), you don't need to change to property. Model method will just work fine.