Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Cumulative Changes in Net Gain Loss from Cash Flow Hedges Before Tax

No definition available.

Name:	dri_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCumulativeChangesInNetGainLossFromCashFlowHedgesBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	dri_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gain Loss On Sale Of Derivatives Recorded In Net Income And Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dri_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivativesRecordedInNetIncomeAndAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome
Namespace Prefix:	dri_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated net amount of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(2)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6887037&loc=d3e80748-113994

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of net gains and losses recognized in income during the period on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items designated and qualifying in fair value hedges, on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges, and on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 205G

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4A

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5618551-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (a),(c),(d),(e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 44C

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The date the derivative matures.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeMaturityDates
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The portion of a hedge deemed to be ineffective that is reflected in current period results of operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (d)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935481&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 25

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeNetHedgeIneffectivenessGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The per share price of the Company's stock at which the contract holder of the freestanding contract has the right to purchase or sell the Company's stock at a future date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 00-19

-Paragraph 50

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6445032&loc=d3e90205-114008

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityForwardRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of issuer's shares to which the forward contract is indexed.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 00-19

-Paragraph 50

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6445032&loc=d3e90205-114008

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityIndexedShares
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount of all derivatives. The notional amount relates to a number of currency units, shares, bushels, pounds, or other units specified in a derivative instrument.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Notional Amount

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The maximum vesting term over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:dateStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The minimum vesting term over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriodMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:dateStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Nov. 27, 2011	Nov. 28, 2010	Nov. 27, 2011	Nov. 28, 2010
Ineffective portion of interest rate hedge			$ 0.0
Reduction to interest expense related to net swap settlements	700,000	900,000	1,500,000	1,900,000
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI to earnings (effective portion)			5,800,000
Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]
Forward contract indexed to issuer's equity, indexed shares	0.7		0.7
Natural Gas [Member]
Contract expiration date			Sep. 01, 2012
Commodities futures, swaps & options
Contract expiration date			Oct. 01, 2012
Minimum [Member] \| Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]
Common stock at forward contract rate			$ 23.41
Maximum [Member] \| Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]
Common stock at forward contract rate			$ 50.19
Darden Stock Units [Member]
Minimum award vesting period for Darden stock units			4
Maximum award vesting period for Darden stock units			5
Darden Stock Units [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Common stock at forward contract rate			$ 27.57
Darden Stock Units [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Common stock at forward contract rate			$ 45.66
4.500% Senior Notes Due October 2021 \| Interest rate locks [Member]
Notional value of derivative instrument	300,000,000		300,000,000
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Derivatives	(53,700,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	52,600,000		52,600,000
5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 [Member] \| Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Notional value of derivative instrument	150,000,000		150,000,000
Equity Forwards [Member] \| Darden Stock Units [Member]
Forward contract indexed to issuer's equity, indexed shares	1.1		1.1
Equity Forwards [Member] \| 5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 [Member] \| Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Notional value of derivative instrument	$ 300,000,000		$ 300,000,000