Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears avoided an awkward late-night meeting on Monday after they found themselves in the same Los Angeles restaurant.

Timberlake was enjoying a romantic supper with girlfriend Jessica Biel at the tiny Yatai Asian Tapas Bar when his ex, Spears, turned up with her mum.

A fellow diner tells UsWeekly.com, "(It was) uncomfortable... Jessica and Justin looked to be slumping down in their seats to avoid her. She left 30 minutes later. Shortly afterward, Justin and Jessica got in their car and left."

The last time the former couple almost met came backstage at Madonna's Los Angeles concert last year, when both stars performed onstage at Dodgers stadium with the Material Girl star.