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 *

Vennam Rajesh
2. Date of Event Requiring Statement (MM/DD/YYYY)
1/4/2021 

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)
SVP, CFO and Treasurer /
(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 895.0000 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)7/26/2021 Common Stock 553.0000  (2)D  
Restricted Stock Units 1/24/2021 1/24/2021 Common Stock 1118.0000  (3)D  
Restricted Stock Units 7/24/2022 7/24/2022 Common Stock 525.0000  (3)D  
Restricted Stock Units 7/25/2021 7/25/2021 Common Stock 521.0000  (3)D  
Restricted Stock Units 7/29/2023 7/29/2023 Common Stock 1010.0000  (3)D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy)  (4)7/27/2026 Common Stock 2245.0000 $59.6800 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy)  (5)7/29/2030 Common Stock 4071.0000 $78.8400 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy)  (6)7/26/2027 Common Stock 3069.0000 $85.8300 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy)  (7)7/25/2028 Common Stock 3157.0000 $107.0500 D  
Stock Option (Right to Buy)  (8)7/24/2029 Common Stock 3182.0000 $124.2400 D  

Explanation of Responses:
(1) This grant vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 26, 2020.
(2) Performance restricted stock units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis.
(3) Restricted stock units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis.
(4) This option vested in two equal annual installments beginning on July 27, 2019.
(5) This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 29, 2023.
(6) This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 26, 2020.
(7) This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 25, 2021.
(8) This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 24, 2022.

Remarks:
vennampoa.txt

Reporting Owners
Reporting Owner Name / Address
Relationships
Director10% OwnerOfficerOther
Vennam Rajesh
1000 DARDEN CENTER DRIVE
ORLANDO, FL 32837


SVP, CFO and Treasurer

Signatures
Jessica P. Lange, Attorney-in-fact for Vennam, Rajesh1/13/2021
**Signature of Reporting PersonDate

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