Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Aug. 24, 2014	Aug. 25, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]
Ineffective portion of interest rate hedge	$ 0
Reduction to interest expense related to net swap settlements	500,000	500,000
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to earnings (effective portion)	(5,200,000)
Darden Stock Units | Forward contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Forward contract indexed to issuer's equity, indexed shares	0.8
Darden Stock Units | Minimum
Derivative [Line Items]
Vesting period	4 years
Common stock at forward contract rate (in dollars per share)	$ 31.19
Darden Stock Units | Maximum
Derivative [Line Items]
Vesting period	5 years
Common stock at forward contract rate (in dollars per share)	$ 52.66
Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan
Derivative [Line Items]
Forward contract indexed to issuer's equity, indexed shares	0.2
Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan | Minimum
Derivative [Line Items]
Common stock at forward contract rate (in dollars per share)	$ 46.17
Employee-Directed Investments In Darden Stock Within The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan | Maximum
Derivative [Line Items]
Common stock at forward contract rate (in dollars per share)	$ 51.95
4.500% Senior Notes Due October 2021 | Senior Notes
Derivative [Line Items]
Face amount of debt	121,900,000
Interest rate of debt	4.50%
6.200% Senior Notes Due October 2017 | Senior Notes
Derivative [Line Items]
Face amount of debt	500,000,000
Interest rate of debt	6.20%
Interest rate swaps | 5.625% Senior Notes Due October 2012 | Senior Notes
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional value of derivative instrument	$ 200,000,000