Exhibit 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
on Form S-8 pertaining to the Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. Employee Stock Purchase
Plan, of our report dated June 19, 1998,  relating to the  consolidated  balance
sheets of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. and subsidiaries as of May 31, 1998 and May
25, 1997 and the related  consolidated  statements  of earnings  (loss) and cash
flows for the fiscal years in the  three-year  period ended May 31, 1998,  which
report  appears  on  page 8 of the  1998  Financial  Statements  booklet  in the
Registrant's  1998  Annual  Report  to  Stockholders  which is  incorporated  by
references in the May 31, 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Darden Restaurants,
Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                       /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP

Orlando, Florida
December 16, 1998