EXHIBIT 23
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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,  333-69037, 333-105056 and 333-106278) of Darden Restaurants, Inc. of
our report dated June 17, 2003,  relating to the consolidated  balance sheets of
Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. and subsidiaries as of May 25, 2003 and May 26, 2002,
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 25, 2003,  which report is
incorporated by reference to page 26 of the  Registrant's  2003 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 21, 2003