                                                                     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  Statements on
Form S-8 (No. 33-92702 and No.  333-124363) of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. of our
report dated  September 9, 2005,  relating to the  financial  statements  of the
Darden  Savings  Plan for the year ended April 30, 2005,  which  appears in this
Form 11-K of Darden Restaurants, Inc.


                                   /s/KPMG LLP

Orlando, Florida
October  24, 2005




