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			6 Months Ended										1 Months Ended
	Nov. 25, 2012	Nov. 27, 2011	Nov. 25, 2012	Nov. 27, 2011	Nov. 25, 2012 Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan	Nov. 25, 2012 Commodities futures, swaps & options	Nov. 25, 2012 Minimum Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan	Nov. 25, 2012 Maximum Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan	Nov. 25, 2012 Darden Stock Units Minimum	Nov. 25, 2012 Darden Stock Units Maximum	Nov. 25, 2012 5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 Senior Notes	Nov. 25, 2012 5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 Interest Rate Swaps	Oct. 31, 2012 5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 Interest Rate Swaps	Nov. 25, 2012 4.500% Senior Notes Due October 2021 Senior Notes	Nov. 25, 2012 Forward contracts Darden Stock Units	Oct. 31, 2012 Forward contracts 5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 Interest Rate Swaps	Nov. 25, 2012 Forward contracts 5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 Interest Rate Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Contract expiration date						Jun. 01, 2013
Notional value of derivative instrument												$ 250,000,000					$ 300,000,000
Instruments settled cumulative loss recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and will be reclassified into earnings as an adjustment to interest expense																55,000,000
Face amount of debt											350,000,000			400,000,000
Interest rate of debt											5.625%			4.50%
Maturity date of debt											Oct. 01, 2012
Notional value of swaps													150,000,000
Ineffective portion of interest rate hedge			0.0
Reduction to interest expense related to net swap settlements	900,000	700,000	2,100,000	1,500,000
Vesting period									4 years	5 years
Forward contract indexed to issuer's equity, indexed shares					0.5										1.2
Common stock at forward contract rate							$ 23.41	$ 51.95	$ 29.28	$ 52.66
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI to earnings (effective portion)			$ (9,100,000)