Which city has the best food in upstate New York? With an ever-shifting and increasingly diverse restaurant scene, that's a question that could spark a lot of debate.

Related: The best local restaurants to open in the past year

However, a new book has compiled a list of the top 12 food cities in upstate New York, and Schenectady made the top of the list. According to Albany.com, author Chuck D'Imperio named three Schenectady eateries that were worth a visit in his book, A Taste of Upstate New York: A Guide to 40 Treasures. They were Morette's King Steakhouse for their steak submarine sandwich, Ferrari's Italian Ristorante for their pasta sauce, and Perreca's Bakery for their cannolis.

Here's the full list of the best upstate food cities:

1. Schenectady

2. Binghamton

3. Kingston

4. Utica

5. Ithaca

6. Buffalo

7. Oneonta

8. Plattsburgh

9. Rome

10. Syracuse

11. Rochester

12. Saratoga

Some might be surprised that a few communities did not make the list. Hudson, for example, has become a hotspot, attracting tourists with its historic streets, art and antique shops, performance spaces and great restaurants. Click here to learn about a few things to do, eat and see while in Hudson.

Closer to home, our reviewer, Susie Davidson Powell, has compiled a list of must-try dishes that include restaurants in Albany, Troy and other Capital Region communities.