Exhibit 23.1


                        Independent Accountants' Consent


The Board of Directors
Darden Restaurants, Inc.:

We consent to incorporation  by reference in the Registration  Statement on Form
S-8 of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. of our report dated June 20, 2000, relating to
the consolidated balance sheets of Darden Restaurants,  Inc. and subsidiaries as
of May 28, 2000 and May 30, 1999,  and the related  consolidated  statements  of
earnings, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the fiscal
years in the three-year  period ended May 28, 2000, which report is incorporated
by reference to page 26 of the  Registrant's  2000 Annual Report to Stockholders
in the May 28, 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Darden Restaurants, Inc.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Orlando, Florida
March 22, 2001