Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2013	Aug. 26, 2012	Aug. 25, 2013 Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan	Aug. 25, 2013 Commodities futures, swaps & options	Aug. 25, 2013 Minimum Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan	Aug. 25, 2013 Maximum Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan	Aug. 25, 2013 Darden Stock Units Minimum	Aug. 25, 2013 Darden Stock Units Maximum	Aug. 25, 2013 5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 Senior Notes	Oct. 31, 2012 5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 Interest rate swaps	Aug. 25, 2013 5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 Interest rate swaps Senior Notes	Aug. 25, 2013 4.500% Senior Notes Due October 2021 Senior Notes	Sep. 30, 2013 6.200% Senior Notes Due October 2017 Senior Notes Subsequent Event	Sep. 30, 2013 6.200% Senior Notes Due October 2017 Interest rate swaps Senior Notes Subsequent Event	Aug. 25, 2013 Forward contracts Darden Stock Units
Derivative [Line Items]
Contract expiration date				Jun. 01, 2014
Notional value of derivative instrument											$ 250,000,000			$ 100,000,000
Face amount of debt									350,000,000			400,000,000	500,000,000
Interest rate of debt									5.625%			4.50%	6.20%
Maturity date of debt									Oct. 01, 2012
Ineffective portion of interest rate hedge	0
Notional value of swaps										150,000,000
Reduction to interest expense related to net swap settlements	500,000	1,200,000
Vesting period							4 years	5 years
Forward contract indexed to issuer's equity, indexed shares			0.3												1.0
Common stock at forward contract rate					$ 47.07	$ 51.95	$ 31.19	$ 52.66
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI to earnings (effective portion)	$ (9,400,000)