
                                                                      EXHIBIT 23





            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


The Board of Directors
Darden Restaurants, Inc.:

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statement
on Form S-8 (No.  33-92702)  of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc.  of our report  dated
September 15, 2004,  relating to the financial  statements of the Darden Savings
Plan for the year  ended  April 30,  2004,  which  appears  in this Form 11-K of
Darden Restaurants, Inc.


                                   /s/KPMG LLP

Orlando, Florida
October 26, 2004





