Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Nov. 27, 2011	Dec. 15, 2011
Document And Entity Information Abstract
Entity Registrant Name	Darden Restaurants Inc
Entity Central Index Key	0000940944
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--05-27
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Nov. 27, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		128,443,956