EXHIBIT 23
KPMG
111 North Orange Avenue, Suite 1600
P.O. Box 3031
Orlando, FL  32802


                        INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT


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 and  333-69037) of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. of our report dated June
15, 2001,  relating to the  consolidated  balance sheets of Darden  Restaurants,
Inc.  and  subsidiaries  as of May 27,  2001 and May 28,  2000,  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 27, 2001,
which report is  incorporated by reference to page 22 of the  Registrant's  2001
Annual Report to Stockholders  filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form
10-K of Darden Restaurants, Inc.

                                        /s/KPMG LLP

Orlando, Florida
August 15, 2001