Exhibit

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements on Form S-3 (No. 333-191491) and on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-191490, 333-178876, 333-57410, 333-105056, 333-124363, 333-122560, 333-148260, 333-146464, 333-156557 and 333-169788) of Darden Restaurants, Inc. of our reports dated July 25, 2016, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Darden Restaurants, Inc. and subsidiaries as of May 29, 2016 and May 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended May 29, 2016, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of May 29, 2016, which reports are included in the 2016 Annual Report to Shareholders included as an exhibit to the annual report on Form 10-K of Darden Restaurants, Inc.