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

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- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- 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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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

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- Definition

The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

+ References

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16, 20

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

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- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter, etc.).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 4

-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 SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- 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

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- Definition

The date the derivative matures.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- 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

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-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

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- 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.

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-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

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- 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

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- 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

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- 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

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- 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

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Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended							3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 26, 2012	Feb. 27, 2011	Feb. 26, 2012	Feb. 27, 2011	Feb. 26, 2012 Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]	Feb. 26, 2012 Commodities futures, swaps & options	Feb. 26, 2012 Minimum [Member] Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]	Feb. 26, 2012 Maximum [Member] Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]	Feb. 26, 2012 Darden Stock Units [Member]	Feb. 26, 2012 Darden Stock Units [Member] Minimum [Member]	Feb. 26, 2012 Darden Stock Units [Member] Maximum [Member]	Oct. 11, 2011 4.500% Senior Notes Due October 2021 Senior Notes [Member]	Feb. 26, 2012 4.500% Senior Notes Due October 2021 Interest rate locks [Member]	Feb. 26, 2012 5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 [Member] Senior Notes [Member]	Feb. 26, 2012 5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 [Member] Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	Feb. 26, 2012 Equity Forwards [Member] Darden Stock Units [Member]	Feb. 26, 2012 Equity Forwards [Member] 5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 [Member] Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Contract expiration date						Oct. 01, 2012
Notional value of derivative instrument													$ 300,000,000		$ 150,000,000		$ 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
Face amount of debt												400,000,000		350,000,000
Interest rate of debt												4.50%		5.625%
Maturity date of debt														Oct. 01, 2012
Ineffective portion of interest rate hedge			0.0
Reduction to interest expense related to net swap settlements	700,000	900,000	2,200,000	2,800,000
Forward contract indexed to issuer's equity, indexed shares					0.7											1.1
Common stock at forward contract rate							$ 23.41	$ 50.19		$ 27.57	$ 45.66
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI to earnings (effective portion)			$ 5,300,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period, Minimum									4
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period, Maximum									5