EXHIBIT 23




            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


The Board of Directors
Darden Restaurants, Inc.:

     We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statements on
Form  S-3  (Nos.  33-93854  and  333-41350)  and on Form  S-8  (Nos.  333-57410,
333-91579, 333-69037, 333-105056, and 333-106278) of Darden Restaurants, Inc. of
our report dated June 18, 2004,  relating to the consolidated  balance sheets of
Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. and subsidiaries as of May 30, 2004 and May 25, 2003,
and the related  consolidated  statements of earnings,  changes in stockholders'
equity and accumulated other  comprehensive  income,  and cash flows for each of
the fiscal years in the  three-year  period ended May 30, 2004,  which report is
incorporated by reference to the Registrant's 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders
filed as an exhibit to this  Annual  Report on Form 10-K of Darden  Restaurants,
Inc.

                                                              /s/ KPMG LLP

Tampa, Florida
August 11, 2004