EXHIBIT 23

                    INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors
Darden Restaurants, Inc.:

      We consent to  incorporation  by reference in the  Registration  Statement
(No.  33-93854)  on Form S-3 and  Registration  Statements  (Nos.  33-92702  and
33-92704) on Form S-8 of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. of our report dated June 18,
1996, relating to the consolidated  balance sheets of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc.
and  subsidiaries  as of  May  26,  1996  and  May  28,  1995  and  the  related
consolidated  statements of earnings and cash flows for each of the fiscal years
in the three-year  period ended May 26, 1996,  which report is  incorporated  by
reference to page 15 of the  Registrant's  1996 Annual Report to Stockholders in
the May 26, 1996 annual report on Form 10-K of Darden Restaurants, Inc.

                         KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Orlando, Florida
August 13, 1996