Exhibit 23


            Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Board of Directors
Darden Restaurants, Inc.:


We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the  registration  statement on
Form S-8 of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. of our report dated June 18, 2004, except
as to Note 2, which is as of December  30,  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 included in the Registrant's  Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 1 to the
Annual  Report on Form 10-K of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. for the year ended May
30, 2004.

Our report refers to the restatement of the consolidated financial statements
for all periods presented.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Orlando, FL
April 26, 2005