EXHIBIT 23


KPMG LLP

P.O. Box 31002
St. Petersburg, FL 33731-8902

P.O. Box 1439
Tampa, FL 33601-1439


                        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
18, 2002,  relating to the  consolidated  balance sheets of Darden  Restaurants,
Inc.  and  subsidiaries  as of May 26,  2002 and May 27,  2001,  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 26, 2002, which report is incorporated
by reference to page 24 of the  Registrant's  2002 Annual Report to Shareholders
filed as an exhibit to this  Annual  Report on Form 10-K of Darden  Restaurants,
Inc.

                                                              /s/KPMG LLP

Orlando, Florida
August 16, 2002