FORM 3
        
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

INITIAL STATEMENT OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

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Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
                      

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person *

Martin Melvin John
2. Date of Event Requiring Statement (MM/DD/YYYY)
8/3/2020 

3. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol

DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC [DRI]
(Last)        (First)        (Middle)

1000 DARDEN CENTER DRIVE
4. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable)

_____ Director                          _____ 10% Owner
___X___ Officer (give title below)        _____ Other (specify below)
President, SRG /
(Street)

ORLANDO, FL 32837      

(City)              (State)              (Zip)
5. If Amendment, Date Original Filed(MM/DD/YYYY)
 

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing(Check Applicable Line)

_X_ Form filed by One Reporting Person
___ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned
1.Title of Security
(Instr. 4)
2. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned
(Instr. 4)
3. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I)
(Instr. 5)
4. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership
(Instr. 5)
Common Stock 9674.8800 D  

Table II - Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivate Security
(Instr. 4)
2. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date
(MM/DD/YYYY)
3. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security
(Instr. 4)
4. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security5. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I)
(Instr. 5)
6. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership
(Instr. 5)
Date ExercisableExpiration DateTitleAmount or Number of Shares
Performance Restricted Stock Units (FY18) (1) (2)7/26/2021 Common Stock 1382.0000  (3)D  
Restricted Stock Units  (4)7/25/2021 Common Stock 1065.0000  (5)D  
Restricted Stock Units  (6)7/29/2023 Common Stock 4038.0000  (5)D  
Restricted Stock Units (FY19 Annual Grant) 7/25/2021 7/25/2021 Common Stock 1563.0000  (5)D  
Restricted Stock Units (FY20 Annual Grant) 7/24/2022 7/24/2022 Common Stock 1679.0000  (5)D  
Restricted Stock Units (FY21 Annual Grant) 7/29/2023 7/29/2023 Common Stock 3029.0000  (5)D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy)  (7)7/27/2026 Common Stock 9933.0000 $59.6800 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy)  (8)7/29/2025 Common Stock 6160.0000 $65.0200 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy)  (9)7/29/2030 Common Stock 12212.0000 $74.2900 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy)  (10)7/26/2027 Common Stock 7673.0000 $85.8300 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy)  (11)7/25/2028 Common Stock 9470.0000 $107.5000 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy)  (12)7/24/2029 Common Stock 10182.0000 $124.2400 D  

Explanation of Responses:
(1) On July 26, 2017, the Reporting Person was awarded 2,764 target performance restricted stock units (PSUs) subject to the achievement of performance criteria (relative total shareholder return as compared to a selectedcomparison group) from July 26, 2017 through May 31, 2020.
(2) This grant vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 26, 2020.
(3) Performance restricted stock units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis.
(4) This grant vests in three equal annual installments beginning on July 25, 2019.
(5) Restricted stock units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis.
(6) This grant vests in three equal annual installments beginning on July 29, 2021.
(7) This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 27, 2019.
(8) This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 29, 2018.
(9) This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 29, 2023.
(10) This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 26, 2020.
(11) This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 25, 2021.
(12) This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 24, 2022.

Remarks:
martinpoa.txt

Reporting Owners
Reporting Owner Name / Address
Relationships
Director10% OwnerOfficerOther
Martin Melvin John
1000 DARDEN CENTER DRIVE
ORLANDO, FL 32837


President, SRG

Signatures
Jessica P. Lange, Attorney-in-fact for Martin, Melvin John8/13/2020
**Signature of Reporting PersonDate

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